I read the blog post. That's where I found (your) satphone pricing, and
your comment about calling to be picked up at a different trailhead.
Your blog post does not address the original post -- he wants a 100 watt
amp for reliable emergency communications from his home located 200
miles from "civilization."
Different requirements, different answers. Often, more than one correct
answer.
-- Lynn
On 6/30/2013 6:40 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
Fine, PLBs are for personal maritime emergencies and EPIRBs are for sinking
ships. Either one will get a rescue.
The story about the wildfire is here:
http://wunderwood.org/most_casual_observer/2009/08/fighting_a_wildfire_with_milk.html
In the Sierras in August, any wildfire is serious, even a single-tree fire like
we fought.
I'm fine with taking some time to get an antenna up. I'm talking about what you
decide to put in your pack at the trailhead.
Since you didn't read the blog post, I'll repeat it. My preference is to avoid
rescue situations. Reliable communications can help me do that. Once you are in
a rescue situation, activate the beacon and pray.
wunder
K6WRU
On Jun 30, 2013, at 6:05 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
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
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--
Walter Underwood
wun...@wunderwood.org
______________________________________________________________
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--
Walter Underwood
wun...@wunderwood.org
______________________________________________________________
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