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Thread: Satellite communicator

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    Default Satellite communicator



    Who’s using one? I’ve been searching and found a few like the Garmin, spot x and others. Looking to keep it under $300.

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    I use a ham radio and aprs.
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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    There are a lot of options out there. Depending on how you intend to use it can make a big difference in overall cost (paying for a user subscription can add up to hundreds of dollars over the life of a device, where units that are only used infrequently or for SOS only can be had for substantially less cost overall). I found this review to be pretty informative;
    https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topic...locator-beacon
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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    Spieg previously posted:
    "There are a lot of options out there. Depending on how you intend to use it can make a big difference in overall cost (paying for a user subscription can add up to hundreds of dollars over the life of a device, where units that are only used infrequently or for SOS only can be had for substantially less cost overall). I found this review to be pretty informative;
    https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topic...locator-beacon"

    oh it will most certainly not be used regularly, sos is the exact way I would expect it to be used. I’ll look into that review you sent. Thank you for the good info

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    Tom previously posted:
    "I use a ham radio and aprs."

    What’s the range with this style? Last I used any radio in a vehicle was in the army.

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    Jaycifer previously posted:
    "What’s the range with this style? Last I used any radio in a vehicle was in the army."

    I have sent sms and email messages to my wife in Longmont from the top of Radical Hill using aprs. Aprs also provides real-time position tracking. See attached screen shot from a week or so ago. On aprs I often see signals for over 200 km away via repeaters.

    The real limitation has to do with whether you can hit a repeater or not. If one can get high, out of a canyon, it's not a problem. Talked to someone a few years ago when I was above Bonanza near Salida via a repeater on Squaw Peak using a 5 watt handheld.

    Hope that helps. Ham does require a license but the technician license is easy. No morse code required.

    I have about $230 in my aprs setup and $450 in my good vehicle rig. I run three radios in my rig: cb, aprs, and a 2 meter -70cm mobile.
         
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    Spieg (May 24th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    What's a max signal range for a HAM radio for emergency use? I'm thinking remote Utah or Wyoming - or some remote area where folks might travel solo. How much of the lower 48 would HAM cover before looking to go satellite.

    `hope this isn't a threadjack...

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    Jim previously posted:
    "What's a max signal range for a HAM radio for emergency use? I'm thinking remote Utah or Wyoming - or some remote area where folks might travel solo. How much of the lower 48 would HAM cover before looking to go satellite.

    `hope this isn't a threadjack..."

    Well from personal experience, Bonanza is over 100 miles from the repeater and I hit it easily with a 5 watt handheld.

    edit. Originally thought you meant from those locations to home in CO.
    Nothing mobile will reliably travel that far without a repeater. Mobile is 2m and 70cm mostly. Those are vhf and uhf bands. To travel further one must use hf bands. There are mobile hf radios but now we are talking over a grand.. And licensing is more difficult. Now you need and general or extra license.
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    Jim (May 24th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    This site has some comparative info for typical radio ranges. However it is lacking data for some of the newer vehicle GMRS 40-50 watt radios which have ranges of 60-70 miles (or of course much more with access to a repeater).
    http://hflink.com/hfpack/radiorange/
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    Jim (May 24th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    Those might be accurate if you were in Nebraska trying to contact someone in Iowa. Radio signals will travel much further if one is in the mountains and have an unobstructed line of sight. That's why all the tv transmission towers on lookout Mtn. I have used 15 watt simplex and spoken directly to someone East of dia when on the East ridge spur of Miller Rock.

    I believe it is true for other frequencies as well. CB etc. Line of sight is a major limiting factor. As stated previously I have communicated well over 100 miles using a 5 watt handheld.

    obtw simplex means no repeater. Radio to radio.

    My aprs transmits 40 watts and I can transmit up to 50 watts on my mobile.

    End thread hijack.
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    Jaycifer (May 25th, 2020),Jim (May 25th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    Jim previously posted:
    "What's a max signal range for a HAM radio for emergency use? I'm thinking remote Utah or Wyoming - or some remote area where folks might travel solo. How much of the lower 48 would HAM cover before looking to go satellite.

    `hope this isn't a threadjack..."

    Nope, these are exactly the questions I’m wondering about.

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    Jim (May 25th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    Tom previously posted:
    "Those might be accurate if you were in Nebraska trying to contact someone in Iowa. Radio signals will travel much further if one is in the mountains and have an unobstructed line of sight. That's why all the tv transmission towers on lookout Mtn. I have used 15 watt simplex and spoken directly to someone East of dia when on the East ridge spur of Miller Rock.

    I believe it is true for other frequencies as well. CB etc. Line of sight is a major limiting factor. As stated previously I have communicated well over 100 miles using a 5 watt handheld.

    obtw simplex means no repeater. Radio to radio.

    My aprs transmits 40 watts and I can transmit up to 50 watts on my mobile.

    End thread hijack."

    this is great info, thank you

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    I have the Garmin Inreach Mini. No fuss other than the monthly subscription and small enough I take it with me when I go mountain biking or dirt biking as well as wheeling. 90% of the time I'm by myself so the peace of mind it gives my wife is worth every penny.

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    speedkills previously posted:
    "I have the Garmin Inreach Mini. No fuss other than the monthly subscription and small enough I take it with me when I go mountain biking or dirt biking as well as wheeling. 90% of the time I'm by myself so the peace of mind it gives my wife is worth every penny."

    while this is usually the case, I’ve given up wheeling until we get her chemo treatments over with. Cancer sucks

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    Default Re: Satellite communicator



    I'm sorry to hear that. My wife is so sensitive to light right now she hasn't left the house in 3 months. She wants me to keep going out and scouting out trips for her so when she gets better we can do some camping together, or that's what she says, might just want to help me keep my sanity by making me get out once in a while. I'll be wishing your wife well, hopefully we can see you two on the trail one day after the treatments.

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