Cruiserdrew
On the way there
A small group of us did an expedition overland from Lake Powell to Moab, and along the way had an interesting radio experience I thought I would share. Most of us have gotten a Ham radio license and put the radios to the test on this trip. The rest of the group is busy studying for the test!
There was a point prior to leaving the pavement that a group of us were climbing what I believe were the Henry mountains. We were using the 2 meter radios on low power to talk among ourselves in simplex mode. Out of the blue, one of our group members who was meeting us later heard our transmissions and was then able to talk to us on the same frequency. He was in Mexican Hat which was over 100 miles away-104 to be exact as the crow flies.
Mind you, we had a clear signal and could talk as if he was part of our convoy. I did boost power to make sure our transmissions went out clearly. Very impressive radio performance that simply is not available with CB. I should note that the 5/8 mounted antennas could receive the distant signals, but the "Rubber duck" antennas on the handhelds could not
To make it even more interesting, our friend in Mexican Hat, could talk to DesertDude who was 75 miles away from him, who we could not yet contact. It made arranging our meeting place and time very easy, in an area where cell coverage simply does not exist.
Later as we were making the run from Hanksville to our start at Natural Bridges, we could talk to the entire group 45-50 miles out over mixed hilly/canyon terrain. Very impressive stuff.
One other very cool point: Down in the wilds of Beef Basin, our group split up to explore two different canyon systems. We were in Ruin Canyon, and the rest of the group was in Calf Canyon, two canyons over. We could still talk to each other on simplex, despite both being on the canyon floors. The group in Calf Canyon was able to guide us into the campsite they found in a side canyon, and reunite the group. For that Canyon bottom to canyon bottom transmission, it took the full 65 watt output to have clear communication.
I guess I'm posting this for those of you who are considering Ham radio. It is so superior to CB, and not that much more expensive. Those in our little group who are not yet licensed were so impressed, that I think several new Hams will come from that group. On the way home from Cruise Moab, the only time we turned on the CB was to listen to the truckers. Otherswise, we used the 2 meter radios in simplex mode.
KI6CXS
There was a point prior to leaving the pavement that a group of us were climbing what I believe were the Henry mountains. We were using the 2 meter radios on low power to talk among ourselves in simplex mode. Out of the blue, one of our group members who was meeting us later heard our transmissions and was then able to talk to us on the same frequency. He was in Mexican Hat which was over 100 miles away-104 to be exact as the crow flies.
Mind you, we had a clear signal and could talk as if he was part of our convoy. I did boost power to make sure our transmissions went out clearly. Very impressive radio performance that simply is not available with CB. I should note that the 5/8 mounted antennas could receive the distant signals, but the "Rubber duck" antennas on the handhelds could not
To make it even more interesting, our friend in Mexican Hat, could talk to DesertDude who was 75 miles away from him, who we could not yet contact. It made arranging our meeting place and time very easy, in an area where cell coverage simply does not exist.
Later as we were making the run from Hanksville to our start at Natural Bridges, we could talk to the entire group 45-50 miles out over mixed hilly/canyon terrain. Very impressive stuff.
One other very cool point: Down in the wilds of Beef Basin, our group split up to explore two different canyon systems. We were in Ruin Canyon, and the rest of the group was in Calf Canyon, two canyons over. We could still talk to each other on simplex, despite both being on the canyon floors. The group in Calf Canyon was able to guide us into the campsite they found in a side canyon, and reunite the group. For that Canyon bottom to canyon bottom transmission, it took the full 65 watt output to have clear communication.
I guess I'm posting this for those of you who are considering Ham radio. It is so superior to CB, and not that much more expensive. Those in our little group who are not yet licensed were so impressed, that I think several new Hams will come from that group. On the way home from Cruise Moab, the only time we turned on the CB was to listen to the truckers. Otherswise, we used the 2 meter radios in simplex mode.
KI6CXS
Last edited:
