CB radio vs. cell phone vs. HAM Radio

[Grub32]

HI all,

I wanted to tap the resources of the forum here for suggestions on traveling in remote areas. Years ago, I traveled through Montana, Idaho and Wyoming and went several days without cell phone service. I will be embarking on a journey out west to glacier national park and yellowstone. I am expecting cell phone service to be far better than before but it will stil be limited and likely non existant in many areas we will be in. I want a back up in case an emergency happens as we will be traveling with our children any you never know when help will be needed for one thing or another.

I have plenty of time to get licensed as a HAM radio operator if that would be the best option.

I would like suggestions on best back up, either a CB radio or HAM radio or is both the right option?

Any an all feedback are appreciated.

Best regards,

Grub

[Gulfcoast]

I like the inReach SE

[2RVNuts]

My choice is Ham. I am one and not only has it helped if no cell service for emergencies, but its also allot of fun and another way to meet other RVers along the road. You would really be surprise at how both hobbies are closely related. Good luck.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

N7SJN wrote:
For all the HAMs out there remember 146.52. I use this all the time and have had some very good contacts. A northern CA net uses this frequency for their "check ins".

And of course APRS and Packet. In the US and Canada I have had great coverage. Out in back and beyond there is occasional digital repeater access via the ISS. Unfortunately we are too far south now for the ISS to copy me and an Igate at the same time! It's annoying to see it pass over head and not be able to repeat through it! Should work OK once we get up to Puerto Vallarta late next month. va7rv-12

we also use SPOT to report our position to family and friends.

[KeninAZ]

Ham radio is not plug and play for the most part.
You must know what bands/freqs work at what time of day and such.
You must also know how to set up an antenna system properly.
If you have no idea what you are doing don't get involved for emergency communications.

[Grub32]

Thanks again for all the great info. I am likely to buy a sat phone in the future. I am looking for road info from my cb. What do you al think about the Uniden BEARCAT 880 Bearcat CB With a Wilson lil wil? Or should I go with a fire Stick?

Thanks again,

Grub

[ktmrfs]

Bumpyroad wrote:

TNGW1500SE wrote:
I use this

http://www.findmespot.com/holiday/lander.php?gclid=CjwKEAiAp97CBRDr2Oyl-faxqRMSJABx4kh9Ds05p5xIVmevD...

as I read these posts I "guess" that this one will not let you know if anybody receives the message and is in route??????
If so one could start cannibalism one day before rescue???
got to thinking that the CB might be useful in those cases I read about where somebody goes off the side of the road and lies there for days??
bumpy

yes, the big downside of the spot. you don't know if anything you sent actuall got through. That said, I've used them from when they were first available, and sent 100's of text's with mine and every last one has gone through within 30 minutes based on feedback from those who I sent text to.

but as I mentioned on a previous post, if I was starting from scratch looking the inreach would be at the top of my list now.

[Bumpyroad]

TNGW1500SE wrote:
I use this

http://www.findmespot.com/holiday/lander.php?gclid=CjwKEAiAp97CBRDr2Oyl-faxqRMSJABx4kh9Ds05p5xIVmevD...

as I read these posts I "guess" that this one will not let you know if anybody receives the message and is in route??????
If so one could start cannibalism one day before rescue???
got to thinking that the CB might be useful in those cases I read about where somebody goes off the side of the road and lies there for days??
bumpy

[Tiger4x4RV]

rk911 wrote:

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
Why do I need communications?

I travel solo and visit remote places which often have no cell service. Two years ago, I broke an ankle at home. If that had happened in one of my favorite camp areas, I would definitely have been a candidate for emergency services. I bought a DeLorme. It works wherever I test it. Hopefully, I will never need it for "the real thing." I have used it for two-way communication of this sort: Q - Where are you? A -At milepost 26.

I don't understand what you purchased, Tiger. can you be a bit more specific?

I have a DeLorme InReach satellite communicator. Garmin just bought DeLorme. Just google InReach.

[N7SJN]

For all the HAMs out there remember 146.52. I use this all the time and have had some very good contacts. A northern CA net uses this frequency for their "check ins".

[John___Angela]

Bumpyroad wrote:

John & Angela wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I concur with sat phone. a CB does not have the range. don't know why you want a ham radio to talk to somebody in China.
bumpy

Howdy Bumpy. I think you are referring to the MF and HF activity of the HAM world. I think the poster is referring to the VHF and UHF activity. Ham operators routinely use well placed repeaters (mountain tops etc) that have excellent coverage and quite often phone patch access where civil systems simply don't cover. All accessible with a 5 watt hand held. Interesting stuff. Kinda fun sometimes.

you are correct sir. of course my main radio is a crystal set. hate having to string that 50 ft antenna wire across the yard.
bumpy

🙂

[Bumpyroad]

John & Angela wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I concur with sat phone. a CB does not have the range. don't know why you want a ham radio to talk to somebody in China.
bumpy

Howdy Bumpy. I think you are referring to the MF and HF activity of the HAM world. I think the poster is referring to the VHF and UHF activity. Ham operators routinely use well placed repeaters (mountain tops etc) that have excellent coverage and quite often phone patch access where civil systems simply don't cover. All accessible with a 5 watt hand held. Interesting stuff. Kinda fun sometimes.

you are correct sir. of course my main radio is a crystal set. hate having to string that 50 ft antenna wire across the yard.
bumpy

[John___Angela]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I concur with sat phone. a CB does not have the range. don't know why you want a ham radio to talk to somebody in China.
bumpy

Howdy Bumpy. I think you are referring to the MF and HF activity of the HAM world. I think the poster is referring to the VHF and UHF activity. Ham operators routinely use well placed repeaters (mountain tops etc) that have excellent coverage and quite often phone patch access where civil systems simply don't cover. All accessible with a 5 watt hand held. Interesting stuff. Kinda fun sometimes.

[rk911]

Tiger4x4RV wrote:
Why do I need communications?

I travel solo and visit remote places which often have no cell service. Two years ago, I broke an ankle at home. If that had happened in one of my favorite camp areas, I would definitely have been a candidate for emergency services. I bought a DeLorme. It works wherever I test it. Hopefully, I will never need it for "the real thing." I have used it for two-way communication of this sort: Q - Where are you? A -At milepost 26.

I don't understand what you purchased, Tiger. can you be a bit more specific?

[Tiger4x4RV]

Why do I need communications?

I travel solo and visit remote places which often have no cell service. Two years ago, I broke an ankle at home. If that had happened in one of my favorite camp areas, I would definitely have been a candidate for emergency services. I bought a DeLorme. It works wherever I test it. Hopefully, I will never need it for "the real thing." I have used it for two-way communication of this sort: Q - Where are you? A -At milepost 26.