Ham question - handheld vs. dash mount

[Mark W]

Okay, those guys. Now I remember.

Of course they were in cell phone coverage too


Mark...

 

[jonb96150]

I just got back from 6 days in Panamint Valley and Death Valley. Using my handheld with a Mirage 35 watt amp and a mag-mount mobile roof antenna I was able to only raise one repeater (Randsburg, Ca.)

The last time I made that trip with a dual band mobile I was able to hit several repeaters. My old mobile could put out 50 watts on high. Maybe the extra wattage was key. It was the same antenna both times.

I wish I had not spent the money on the amp for the handheld, I should have replaced the dead mobile.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I just got back from 6 days in Panamint Valley and Death Valley. Using my handheld with a Mirage 35 watt amp and a mag-mount mobile roof antenna I was able to only raise one repeater (Randsburg, Ca.)

The last time I made that trip with a dual band mobile I was able to hit several repeaters. My old mobile could put out 50 watts on high. Maybe the extra wattage was key. It was the same antenna both times.

I wish I had not spent the money on the amp for the handheld, I should have replaced the dead mobile.

Jon-That's good info. On our trip there in March we are going to map out the repeater coverage at different spots along the way. I have heard that with some elevation you can hit the repeaters around Las Vegas. Did you get on the Bishop repeaters on the way down?

I agree about the hard mount. That, to me, is the best option if you have only one radio. It has better power, likely a better antenna and a more assured power supply.

Before we go I'm going to have a radio chat with ParadiseCruiser to see if we can link up and talk to him from Death Valley and possibly Anza Borrego.

 

[alvarorb]

Andy,

Our radios can use the WIRES II techonlogy by Yaesu. If Ron has WIRES II one of his radios or uses his PC to access WIRES II, and there's a WIRES II repeater in the area. We can talk.

WIRES II, like Echolink, uses the Internet to expand our radio's coverage.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[FJ40_owner]

Climbers lost in Oregon? Not familiar with that one. But again, were they in hand held range of a repeater?


ELTs are another story. But they should be reserved for true emergencies. And you should not expect immediate response either. First it has to be received by an overflying aircraft or a sattelite. Then the "authorities" have to be notifed. Then they have to decide what sort of response is merited (remember an ELT just says "here I am", no other info. It can easily be the next day or longer before anything gets underway. And it will seldom be a rescue helicoptor heading straight to you.

I've been involved in my share of ELT responses (aircraft) in the past. Help will get there, but don't expect it to be like calling the fire department.



Mark...

The climber lost on the mountain in OR could have talked to San Fransisco on half a watt fromwhere they were.

I have talked from the smoke tower at Sierra Buttes off HJwy 49 at 10K+ feet to a guy in a car in Modesto CA. Like almost 200+ miles on 5 watts.

Of coarse I know what I am doing n all...

JB

 

[MDarius]

The climber lost on the mountain in OR could have talked to San Fransisco on half a watt fromwhere they were.

I have talked from the smoke tower at Sierra Buttes off HJwy 49 at 10K+ feet to a guy in a car in Modesto CA. Like almost 200+ miles on 5 watts.

Of coarse I know what I am doing n all...

JB

THIS is what I'm talking about! These guys on Mt. Hood are surrounded by highway all around the base, and if you know what you are doing (i don't, but I can learn), and you can raise ANYBODY, be it in SFO or Australia, or just around the corner, they can get info to rescuers.

I read an article recently on the ELT's. A hiker was soloing in one of the National parks...I forget which one, glacier maybe? And he climbed a cliff, enjoyed the view until after sunset, and realized he couldn't get down. He triggered his ELT, pulled out his emergency blanket, and went to sleep. The Air Force got the signal, contacted local Search and Rescue, assisted with a fly over with their own helicopter (maybe it was a National Guard copter). The guy signaled he was OK and rescue teams got to him within 48 hours of his signal to get him down. Not injured, but a real emergency. You can comment his mental powers if you care to, but I think we've all gotten in over our heads from time to time.

The problem with ELT's is there are 2 kinds. One transmits for 24 hours and one for 48. Hope you can get a signal through, i.e., you're not blocked by cliffs, vegetation, and cloud cover, within that time. I suppose a handheld HAM would have the same limitations though, wouldn't it?

Oh yeah, and the Elt's are in the $500 price range, although you can rent them.

 

[Mark W]

Again... In the case of the guys on Mt Hood... They were in CELPHONE COVERAGE! Even made a phone call before the phone died.

No reason not to get and carry a handheld 2meter radio. Just don't count on much contact ability if you really are out in the back country, not in a poplated area surrounded by repeaters and other users and not SITTING ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN.

If you want a tool for calling for help when you climb a cliff before considering your route back down...

Get a Satphone or an aviation band radio.


Mark...

 

[alvarorb]

I wonder why those hikers did not call 911.

Alvaro