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by EL_Loco 1444 days ago
If you hike, camp, backpack, this is from a very experienced Search and Rescue leader who I took course from:

-First, have a Personal Locator Beacon. If funds allow, have one with two-way messaging (there's a monthly subscription fee). Needless to say, be mindful of battery condition.

-Second, have a GPS with maps from your area, or the equivalent smartphone app. Learn basic map reading, a good Youtube video about it will do.

-Third, take 3 hours to study for a ham license. Pass the easy exam and get a reliable, easy to use HT (Amateur radio's name for walkie talkie). Learn to use the repeaters in your area.

You're good to go.

P.S. this is concerning a getting lost scenario. He also recommended taking a First-Aid course.

edit: My recommendation for an HT is still, after 10 years, the Yaesu FT-60r. Pros: Very solid build, easy to learn and operate (compared to others), reliable. Cons: Bigger and heavier than newer models, battery not as good but can be upgraded. Also, analog only, but to me this is a plus as I want simple, reliable comms and don't want to invest time in zillion other features.
2 comments
runjake 1444 days ago
I think you meant this for point #2 but its important to clarify: you should be carrying PAPER maps —- preferably laminated if your environment calls or at least stuffed in a gallon zip lock bag.

So many things can and do go wrong with gadgets.

This comment posted while on a remote backpacking trip with somehow just enough coverage to load HN.

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EL_Loco 1444 days ago
The person I mentioned actually meant just digital maps installed on the gps/smartphone. He completely agreed with you on how important it was to have paper maps, but he said most people either didn't see the point, or thought he was recommending them (paper maps and compasses) because he was old.
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LBJsPNS 1444 days ago
A map with a bullet hole in it is a map. A GPS with a bullet hole in it is a doorstop.
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Fatnino 1443 days ago
The hike down to the east off Mission peak in Fremont requires you to have a paper map on you.
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teeray 1444 days ago
> Third, take 3 hours to study for a ham license.

Yep, Technician is pretty easy. With privileges available to techs, I was able to get into a repeater 70 miles away with 5 watts on an HT (Yaesu FT-70D) using Fusion (a digital voice mode). This is in an area with precisely zero cell coverage, but plenty of elevation. Also, because it was digital voice, it was as clear as a phone call.

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