Wilderness Communication

[N3XFD]

I've backpacked solo around Mt. Hood twice on the Timberline Trail and carried the VX-170 both times.  It is a rugged, dependable radio which won't let you down.

You'll want a roll up J-pole antenna.  You might also consider a lightweight ARROW directional beam antenna.  The mast comes in three sections, but the owner will custom fabricate a single-piece mast which could double as trekking pole.

If you carry a handheld GPS (and I suggest that you do, and a map, and a compass) then you can hook an OpenTracker between the GPS and the VX-170 and not only beacon your position via APRS but also view the locations of other stations in your area (possibly the rescue party...)

As far as satellite phones go - they're outside my budget; However, I carry a rugged cell phone (Motorola i355) and have found that it works in a surprising number of places.

Good luck!

[N2IK]

You have received a wide range of advise but there a re a few more things I want to mention. I recommend very strongly that you not depend on the waterproofing of the radio at all and keep it in a dry bag or dry box. Make sure it floats and has a tether. Don't ask me how I know this. You will also need a repeater directory and some on-site testing or local knowledge to advise you which repeaters are off the air, which are actually monitored a lot, and so forth. I have operated out of the Adirondacks on a few public service events and there are a lot of repeaters available. You need that better antenna and some string and coax and adapter to your radio to get it up a tree. Expect to have to seek a good location as every hole and hollow will not be seen by the repeater. A good HT and spare batteries will be a big help with communications and weather awareness from the NOAA broadcasts.

Don't neglect the other aspects of wilderness safety, proper clothing, emergency gear, maps, realistic trip planning and telling someone your route plan and when to call for help if they do not hear from you. Never leave home without a spare paddle, painters on the canoe, and wear your PFD. Don't ask me how I know that either.

Now go out there and have fun in the wilderness.

73 de Walt N2IK

[KE4SKY]

Walt gave you some of the best advice yet.

Keep essential "grab & go" survival equipment in a man-overboard drybag with float and tether.

Put your amateur, airband or marine VHF in a Aquapac drybag which is made for this purpose.  Good investment. http://www.bestglide.com/Aquapac_Info.html

Wear a warming layer that is warm when wet, such as a wetsuit vest to go under that PFD.  This helps maintain body temperature when you go in the water.

Tether a Fox40 whistle, signal mirror and MPI Emergency Strobe light to that PFD!

Get a PFD with pockets. Keep a SparkLite kit
http://www.bestglide.com/Spark_Lite_Info.html
with wet-fire tinder, a folding pocket knife or multi-tool in it all the time.  

As Walt would say, "don't ask me why I know..."

[K2GW]

I recently discovered that Adventure Medical is now selling a very nice pocket essentials survival kit that includes a mini fox whistle based on a design by Doug Ritter of "Equpped to Survive."  http://www.equipped.org/  You can pick it up at REI, Campmor and other wilderness outfitters.

While you can assemble the components yourself much cheaper (that's actually how the whole thing started on Doug's web site) just being able to buy it ready made is convenient for some.  As the instructions say, you should supplement it with a good knife, canteen, some water purification tabs and some matches.  Also carry a small pocket first aid kit along with it.

Some basic shelter materials such as a rescue blanket, bivy sag, plastic garbage bags and/or tube tent in your pack would finish the basic things.

73

Gary, K2GW

[KC2MMI]

Michael, given the terrain in the Adirondacks, if you can't SEE the repeater site--you probably won't be able to use it. Not that a VHF is worthless, but I wouldn't rely on reaching anyone with it for that purpose.

Better to buy a personal emergency beacon that reaches up and touches the satellite systems. They were $600 and up for marine use (EPIRBs) and about the same size and weight as an HT. There is at least one company that is selling a version for campers and canoers, supposedly under $200 now.

Basically you take it out, activate it, and hunker down expecting SAR teams will be homing in on your signal, often by helicopter in 2-12 hours, weather conditions allowing. You can't communicate two ways--but if you need rescue, it will bring help way more reliably than a VHF trying to sneak a signal out between granite mountains and ridges.

[WA4HBK]

I would second the acquiring of a satellite phone. Some of the Iridium and others come with a prepaid option. Ham radio which I have sucessfully used in emergencies depends on too many factors, repeater coverage, monitoring of the repreaters, HF propagation, etc. If your neck is on the line go with something that will work anywhere. Some of the phones ar ein the $300-400 range which is about what you will pay for a full VHF setup and about half of what a HF installation would cost. I don't knock amateur radio it has it's [place. But if I got into an emeergency situation I would really like to reach out and touch somebody.

[KF6IIU]

Yet another option is renting an EPIRB from an outfitter.  You can do that for $100 to $150 per week IIRC. EPIRBs are getting cheaper and cheaper to just buy outright, check REI, etc, for prices.

[KB3GDD]

If you do go forward with ham radio, don't forget that in the wilderness battery life is critical.  I took a Yaesu VX-5R on a 10-day trip this past summer, and the battery laster the entire time.  Of course, it was rarely turned on and I never had to transmit.  But if I wanted to make a trip like that again I would at least get a second battery, and I would have spare "AA"s for the optional AA battery pack (I did have this).

Also, some repeater clubs occasionally offer one-day or several day technician seminars.  If you take one of those you can probably be licensed in no time flat.