Terry, I have a big question. I would like to know what is the minimum equipment needed in the boon docks to be able to communicate with someone if I was totally alone and needed to contact anyone who may hear me.
There's so much to that question. If you want guaranteed contact EVERYWHERE, then some form of satellite coms device is needed.
I don't know your area well enough to be able to comment on the radio coverage in that area. When I travel somewhere, part of my prep is fresh into the local repeaters and at least making a list of them if not fully programming them into my radios.
Even then I've been in situations where I was unable to raise anyone from camp. If I'd have needed to make contact I would have had to drive or walk to higher ground to get out.
There's some discussion in the comms forum about different systems and their pros and cons. I'll see if I can find some of them for you to check out.