PLBs actually aren't legal for sinking ships (or crashing airplanes),
there is a different category of device for that.
Personal Locator Beacons are meant to do one simple task: summon help in
an emergency.
Calling someone to tell them you're at a different trailhead is not an
emergency.
If I'm off in the backcountry, I'd suggest that a medical emergency and
risk of being overrun by a wildfire aren't that different.
If you want to report a wildfire that isn't threatening you, that isn't
an emergency, and if it takes you a bit to get an antenna up, and find
someone to relay a message, then by all means pull out your KX3 and a
random bit of wire and tell someone.
A satphone (according to your post) is about $120 for a given outing. A
PLB is about $250 for five to seven years.
It's good to have more than one tool in your toolbox.
-- Lynn
On 6/30/2013 5:41 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
There are a lot of emergency situations that benefit from two-way
communication. PLBs are great for sinking ships, but not so good for
distinguishing between a wildfire and a medical emergency.
I've dealt with a few emergencies in the backcountry. On one trip, we had both
a wildfire and two medical situations. You can draw your own conclusions about
heading into the backcountry with me. :-)
Hey, I wrote a long blog post about that:
http://wunderwood.org/most_casual_observer/2011/10/emergency_communication_in_the.html
wunder
K6WRU
On Jun 30, 2013, at 5:32 PM, Ariel Jacala wrote:
Well, in that framework - I would have to agree that the PLB is better .....
How do I get one .... :-)
Ariel NY4G
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 17:24:45 -0700
From: k...@coldrockshotbrooms.com
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Amp
Yes, but.....
The original poster is going to be 200 miles from town. He may or may
not be in VHF range of something when he needs help. I'm pretty sure
he's out of range or he'd just get a couple of handhelds and call it done.
The Personal Locator Beacon frequency is monitored by two sets of
satellites -- a constellation of low-earth-orbit satellites that can
determine location, and a few geostationary satellites that see a wide
area of the planet, looking straight down at the surface of the earth.
The latter can read the GPS on the PLB.
The signal goes straight to search and rescue folks, and the beacons are
registered so they know exactly who they're going to be looking for.
Which would you prefer: push a button and it's done, or calling on
several bands and hoping one is open?
Again, I love amateur radio, and I would consider it part of my
emergency toolkit, but I'd trigger my PLB first in a real emergency.
-- Lynn
On 6/30/2013 5:09 PM, Ariel Jacala wrote:
Some HT's have GPS and with APRS one can send messages. I have used it on
hikes so my wife can track me on the internet as I hike. The HT sends a beacon
signal out and the movement can be tracked through APRS.fi Any Ham can get an
APRS account. I have even used APRS on my iPhone for the same tracking
capability. Remote from civilization though you would need an HT with APRS
like the VX8R by Yaesu or a TinyTrack tracker. With the HT however, you can
call for help and the reach can be substantial depending on elevation or having
a nearby repeater. Having worked 45 states on Field Day just using a KX3 and a
G0GSF dipole, I have no qualms with getting out and reaching people with a KX3
on HF. When the 2m module gets out - I have a complete package for all modes
of remote operation.
Ariel NY4G
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
--
Walter Underwood
wun...@wunderwood.org
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
