Outdoor Adventure USA

What is the advantage of ham and or Spot over having a sat phone? Is it a cost issue? I carry three cell phones. I have been lucky because usually I can get service on one of them. This practice has proven itself many times, whether on bike trips or off roading or travel. I use sat phones in Africa. According to my research, spot doesn't work in South Africa or Zimbabwe.

So why not carry a sat phone and a cell phone? Wouldn't this cover any emergency situation?

I look forward to information.

Regards, Steve

The main difference, besides cost (Spot being less expensive), is that you can set the Spot to track you' and report your location and movement to anyone you choose. Friends and family can monitor your whereabouts, so if communication is lost or you are unable to respond for some reason, folks will know where you were last, and be able to alert authorities. It also allows you to have a record of your trip, so that you can use the waypoints later to revisit / review your path.

That said, I carry a sat phone in addition to a cell and ham radio. Overall, the more ways you have to get in touch, the more likely you'll reach someone. The Spot and sat phone are not really redundant, but two different uses of sat technology, IMO.

Thanks Larry. I now see the reason for this item. I agree it is a good item to at least be able to set forth your last location if you are not able to communicate. If I understand, if one is in an accident or unable to physically use the phone, then this is a reason enough to have it on board.

If you are cheating on the wife, then you never want her to know about this little gem.

Regards, Steve

Actually, you'd need to define/qualify your needs and the purpose for each. Satellite phones and cell phones are cumbersome and expensive for trail communications between vehicles at any distance. Nix that.
For inter-vehicle comm, simple FRS will work and have nearly the range of a legal Chicken Band radio, and being FM, will usually have better audio. In terrain, both Chicken Band and FRS are useless beyond a very short distance.
For hailing assistance, your 3 cell phones will work if you only play in the local areas that are on the fringes of suburbia or near major highways, but if you venture further into the desert.... they will fail you.
Satphones are fantastic... if you have the time. Meaning, depending on where you are on the planet at a given time, patience could be required due to their orbital periods and availability. And, it's likely you'll only get assistance specfically from whomever you've called...... a friend or relative far away or govenment emergency services ($$$). Many times, that help is too far away or, is more help than is needed. With ham radio, many times you can network and find help locally, as in someone delivering a part or an add'l winch, etc. Also, those who have used the military sat services will be surprised at the differences in the signal consistency and quality afforded to the civilian service, especially for those on the Iridium network.
SPOT is an awesome idea, although it's being abused by many. It works through a different network entirely, and without a ham radio, would probably the best option in a REAL emergency. With SPOT, pushing the button is a commitment, you had better want the help, and without the add'l insurance, again $$$$.
With HF privileges, ham radio will cover your needs in nearly all cases. For short distance inter-vehicle communication on the trail you have 2m or 70cm simplex. Short and Medium distance with a repeater, you can tell a buddy where you're camped or broke down in Azusa Cyn., Anza Borrego or Big Bear as he's leaving his house in San Diego or LA. And, long distance, where there are no repeaters available... as in telling a friend in San Diego, LA or Salt Lake City, where you're camped or broke down in Death Valley, Jarbidge NV, or Scorpion Bay in Baja, any of the HF bands will work. The general saying in ham radio is "20 days and 40 nights".......using 20metre during daylight hours, and 40 metre at night, will always find help.....from near and far.

xtatik wrote:Actually, you'd need to define/qualify your needs and the purpose for each. Satellite phones and cell phones are cumbersome and expensive for trail communications between vehicles at any distance. Nix that.
For inter-vehicle comm, simple FRS will work and have nearly the range of a legal Chicken Band radio, and being FM, will usually have better audio. In terrain, both Chicken Band and FRS are useless beyond a very short distance.
For hailing assistance, your 3 cell phones will work if you only play in the local areas that are on the fringes of suburbia or near major highways, but if you venture further into the desert.... they will fail you.
Satphones are fantastic... if you have the time. Meaning, depending on where you are on the planet at a given time, patience could be required due to their orbital periods and availability. And, it's likely you'll only get assistance specfically from whomever you've called...... a friend or relative far away or govenment emergency services ($$$). Many times, that help is too far away or, is more help than is needed. With ham radio, many times you can network and find help locally, as in someone delivering a part or an add'l winch, etc. Also, those who have used the military sat services will be surprised at the differences in the signal consistency and quality afforded to the civilian service, especially for those on the Iridium network.
SPOT is an awesome idea, although it's being abused by many. It works through a different network entirely, and without a ham radio, would probably the best option in a REAL emergency. With SPOT, pushing the button is a commitment, you had better want the help, and without the add'l insurance, again $$$$.
With HF privileges, ham radio will cover your needs in nearly all cases. For short distance inter-vehicle communication on the trail you have 2m or 70cm simplex. Short and Medium distance with a repeater, you can tell a buddy where you're camped or broke down in Azusa Cyn., Anza Borrego or Big Bear as he's leaving his house in San Diego or LA. And, long distance, where there are no repeaters available... as in telling a friend in San Diego, LA or Salt Lake City, where you're camped or broke down in Death Valley, Jarbidge NV, or Scorpion Bay in Baja, any of the HF bands will work. The general saying in ham radio is "20 days and 40 nights".......using 20metre during daylight hours, and 40 metre at night, will always find help.....from near and far.

Chicken Band....

Randy-

Thank you for a very informative post. Since I only own a Yaesu 170 HT at the moment and don't have my ticket yet, what mobile unit and what level license is required to afford me reliable access to the 20/40 meter worlds?

gon2srf wrote: Chicken Band....

Randy-

Thank you for a very informative post. Since I only own a Yaesu 170 HT at the moment and don't have my ticket yet, what mobile unit and what level license is required to afford me reliable access to the 20/40 meter worlds?

Jeez, I'd thought everyone's heard that one b4.
As for radio's....I have a bias, I've grown up around Collins, Hallicrafters, Heathkit and Yaesu. So, barring the old boat anchors, Yaesu is my brand of choice. I run the Yaesu FT-857d and feel it is hard to beat given our pastime. The ability to convert from base to mobile with the detachable face. Having a flip down bail, all bands, all modes and DSP and a great receiver, it's tough to beat at it's price. Icom has the 706 mkII as well, and is in the same category and price range. But, the smaller Icoms run hot, and anyone that has spent time with electronics knows....heat is the enemy. Either of these radios have tons of room to grow into for a starting ham, and for that reason, provide the best value in my opinion.
Keep this in mind, I mentioned our pastime of getting out in the boonies........Your first license, Technician, may not allow you to "play" on much that is offered on either of these radios. However, the rules state that once licensed at any level, you have the rght to use "any means necessary" to make contact in a significant emergency. So, for emergency purposes only, you have all the rights afforded to an Extra class license and more, if needed. This is why I would never recommend to a new Tech involved in our pastime to settle for a simple 2m/70cm mobile radio. And, would encourage them to upgrade to General as soon as possible.
So get on it!!

xtatik wrote:

gon2srf wrote: Chicken Band....

Randy-

Thank you for a very informative post. Since I only own a Yaesu 170 HT at the moment and don't have my ticket yet, what mobile unit and what level license is required to afford me reliable access to the 20/40 meter worlds?

Jeez, I'd thought everyone's heard that one b4.
As for radio's....I have a bias, I've grown up around Collins, Hallicrafters, Heathkit and Yaesu. So, barring the old boat anchors, Yaesu is my brand of choice. I run the Yaesu FT-857d and feel it is hard to beat given our pastime. The ability to convert from base to mobile with the detachable face. Having a flip down bail, all bands, all modes and DSP and a great receiver, it's tough to beat at it's price. Icom has the 706 mkII as well, and is in the same category and price range. But, it the smaller Icoms run hot, and anyone that has spent time with electronics knows heat is the enemy. Either of these radios have tons of room to grow into for a starting ham.
Keep this in mind, I mentioned our pastime of getting out in the boonies........Your first license, Technician, may not allow you to "play" on much that is offered on either of these radios. However, the rules state that once licensed at any level, you have the rght to use "any means necessary" to make contact in a significant emergency. So, for emergency purposes only, you have all the rights afforded to an Extra class license and more, if needed. This is why I would never recommend to a new Tech involved in our pastime to settle for a simple 2m/70cm mobile radio. And, would encourage them to upgrade to General as soon as possible.
So get on it!!

Thanks Randy. You need to stop by for a beer sometime, I'm down the street and you can show me your setup in the Pathfinder!

I completely concur regarding the value of Ham radio, especially when your destination is beyond the reach of cell phones. For reasons we have discussed before, ham radio, both VHF (UHF too) and HF are the best and most proven means to reach help when in remote areas.

I think that we need to have an HF set up event. A camping trip to the East Mojave.

DaveK wrote: I think that we need to have an HF set up event. A camping trip to the East Mojave.

I'm game, howza' bouta' northern DV backcountry run including Eureka Dunes, Dedeckera Cyn., Steele Pass, Saline Valley and Hot Springs, The Racetrack, Teakettle Jctn.?? We can make it a "mini DXpedition", hihi. Thinkin' four days....I usually make a run there each year with some friends, but it's not jellin' for them this year. I'm looking at around Thanksgiving, or shortly after. I may even venture further north into the Reese River Valley, Monitor Range and other areas of the Toiyabe.

DaveK wrote:I completely concur regarding the value of Ham radio, especially when your destination is beyond the reach of cell phones. For reasons we have discussed before, ham radio, both VHF (UHF too) and HF are the best and most proven means to reach help when in remote areas.

I think that we need to have an HF set up event. A camping trip to the East Mojave.

He said, "Mojave" hehehehehehe. I've been dreaming of doing the Mojave trail again, let's do it.