-=> Quoting Ed Germain to Tim Kendrick <=-
 TK> The critical question is what type of RELIABLE reception
 TK> coverage is common to all the areas in which you operate?
 EG> There appear to be two possibilities.  Cellular phones are marginally
 EG> more reliable.  The areas we are in are the shoreline ocean in ME and
 
 But if you in hilly or mountainous turain they're practically useless
 you'll spend more time trying to find a spot where you can talk from then
 acually searching for the subject.
 EG> The second way to go, much cheaper right now, is HAM.  We have just
 EG> had a gift of 6 dual-band UHF/VHF tiny transceivers.  They cover the 2
 EG> meter and 70cm bands, but appear able to be extended so that we could
 EG> reach the marine band (for ocean rescue calling to Coast Guard). 
 EG> These are 2-5 watt radios.  In nearly all of the areas we use there
 EG> are repeaters on frequencies we can access--at least so I have been
 EG> told. 
 EG> However, I now have to face the issue of getting us all Technician
 EG> Licenses, which is a pain if you're not otherwise an enthusiast. 
 
 Yes HAM radio's are cheaper and usally have an extensive repeater network.
 Most radios can also be modified to transmitte out of the HAM bands.  With 
 very little difficulty.  And during an emergency I believe that anyone
 with the knowledge to operate a radio can on what ever freq. they need to.
 
 TK> And what about CB, if REACT covers the area? Even a 4-watt
 TK> walkie-talkie can go a long way if it has an efficient,
 TK> light wire antenna set up properly. You should be able to
 TK> find someone to advise you on this (and maybe even do a
 TK> little 'tweaking' to turn it into a 'power' CB, legally or
 TK> otherwise, for emergency use). 
 CB radio is only good in areas where there is very little in the way of 
 hills and vallies.  Personally I wouldn't run the risk of being responsible
 for CB's that are modified for a higher power level.  Although if you are
 searching near major highways or on open water they do have possiblities.
 
 EG> REACT doesn't cover, and where it does, there is less likelyhood that
 EG> someone is listening than on HAM frequencies (I've been told). 
 EG> Thank you and everyone else for helping us think through this problem.
 EG> I'm still not sure what the answer is, but I have these little
 EG> radios.... 
 You may ask where I have formed these opinions.  I have done extensive
 tests for our search group both in the flatland of Alberta and in the 
 mountains. 
 Sean Smith, VE6SAR
 Director of Communications, KTR MSAR
... Urinalysis: The study of Pissed Off People
--- Blue Wave/Max v2.12 [NR]
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