Communications

[Darkside Overland]

Just wanted to put this out there, not to debate the pros/cons of being disconnected from the world, but accidents do happen. In the spirit of being prepared, what communications methods do you use when overlanding/camping?

I use the following:

Icom ID-5100a dual band ham radio (call sign W4NMS)
A small CB radio that connects to my 12v cigarette socket.
A Wifi hotspot with an 8db gain antenna for 3g/LTE signals when my phone just will not get a solid signal.

I did use a spot for a while but discontinued the service.

 

[TerryD]

I've actually got a poll going in the communication forum on this very topic! Hop over and vote. I was trying to give everyone a good idea of what everyone else was using with it so people could make a decision about what to get. Great minds, am I right?

https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/what-means-of-communication-do-you-have-available.6440/

 

[BigAZAdventures]

Thank you for starting this thread! I think that it would be important to have a list of community communications frequencies to use for general communication while overlanding. I don't have my HAM yet, but as a pilot I am very proficient at radio communications and rely on them not only to communicate with ATC and other plans but to monitor conditions as I fly.

Could we come up with a small comms chart to list the different types of communications (HAM, MURS, CB, FRS) that are available to the public and maybe a primary, secondary and tertiary fx for each?

This could be used not only to say hi while passing another member on the road but to monitor while traveling incase someone is reaching out for help.

 

[TerryD]

There was a thread that dealt with common frequencies as well, but I can't seem to remember which one. If I get a bit of time today, I'll look for it if @Steve doesn't remember it.