handheld aviation radio for backpacker?

[[email protected]]

I've got a friend of mine who is going backpacking in Alaska for a
couple of weeks. He has expressed an interest in borrowing my handheld
aviation radio to use in an emergency so that they can "flag down" an
overflying aircraft.

I don't mind lending the radio, but I don't think the radio affords
then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
enough for the handheld signal to reach it *and* it would have to be
monitoring 121.5 or otherwise be on the same frequency. (I guess I
could find him an ARTCC frequency map for the area in which he'd be
hiking.) Maybe in Alaska monitoring guard is s.o.p., but where I'm from
(NorCal) it doesn't happen as much as it should.

Is there really any reasonable chance that this would be valuable to my
friend?

I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
$600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
Are these things available for rent?

Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
would be more useful for this purpose.

Anyone have thoughts?

thanks,
-- dave j
-- jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com

PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.

[ktbr]

wrote:
> PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
> nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
> that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.
>

Well, if its just an emergency "call for help" scenario, they would
probably be better served with a decent CB hand-held radio. The range
can potentially be much better and the chance of getting hold of
someone on those frequencies is much greater. Make sure thay have
GPS so they can provide coordinates ans spare batteries.

[.Blueskies.]

He needs a backpacker ELT...



> wrote in message ups.com...
:
: I've got a friend of mine who is going backpacking in Alaska for a
: couple of weeks. He has expressed an interest in borrowing my handheld
: aviation radio to use in an emergency so that they can "flag down" an
: overflying aircraft.
:
: I don't mind lending the radio, but I don't think the radio affords
: then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
: to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
: enough for the handheld signal to reach it *and* it would have to be
: monitoring 121.5 or otherwise be on the same frequency. (I guess I
: could find him an ARTCC frequency map for the area in which he'd be
: hiking.) Maybe in Alaska monitoring guard is s.o.p., but where I'm from
: (NorCal) it doesn't happen as much as it should.
:
: Is there really any reasonable chance that this would be valuable to my
: friend?
:
: I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
: $600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
: Are these things available for rent?
:
: Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
: would be more useful for this purpose.
:
: Anyone have thoughts?
:
: thanks,
: -- dave j
: -- jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com
:
: PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
: nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
: that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.
:

[RomeoMike]

I own a satellite (Iridium) phone and know that they can be rented for
periods of time. One would have to contact a service provider for the
details.

wrote:

> Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
> would be more useful for this purpose.

[ktbr]

ktbr wrote:

> wrote:
>
>> PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
>> nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
>> that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.
>>
>
> Well, if its just an emergency "call for help" scenario, they would
> probably be better served with a decent CB hand-held radio. The range
> can potentially be much better and the chance of getting hold of
> someone on those frequencies is much greater. Make sure thay have
> GPS so they can provide coordinates ans spare batteries.

oh, and one more thing... a wire dipole antenna with some thin coax and
a BNC connector on the end to use instead of the typical rubber antenna
make a huge differenc on the signal.

[ron]

I will have paid $475 after factory rebate for my ACR Aquafix 406 mHz GPS
I/O plus shipping. It is identical to the aviation model except for the
color of the holster. You have to ask for the "pilot" discount at:
www.life-raft.com I have absolutely no relationship with them and found
their name doing google searches for ELT's I think it came up in the soaring
group. It comes with a belt loop as part of the holster.

I wanted something that even my young son could use if we landed in a field
and needed help. It's pretty sad to think he would survive if I was hurt
but not be able to get help on his own. He will be in 2nd grade and I am
sure he could use it if I was hurt and he wasn't.

The $75 factory rebate is until the end of August. They shipped exactly
when they said they would, I have been dealing with James Dayka and the
company is Puget Sound Inflatables at www.life-raft.com . He emailed me
that he is pilot also and that is why they give an extra discount. I still
carry a handheld radio and gps though when flying.

Ron A.

> wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> I've got a friend of mine who is going backpacking in Alaska for a
> couple of weeks. He has expressed an interest in borrowing my handheld
> aviation radio to use in an emergency so that they can "flag down" an
> overflying aircraft.
>
> I don't mind lending the radio, but I don't think the radio affords
> then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
> to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
> enough for the handheld signal to reach it *and* it would have to be
> monitoring 121.5 or otherwise be on the same frequency. (I guess I
> could find him an ARTCC frequency map for the area in which he'd be
> hiking.) Maybe in Alaska monitoring guard is s.o.p., but where I'm from
> (NorCal) it doesn't happen as much as it should.
>
> Is there really any reasonable chance that this would be valuable to my
> friend?
>
> I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
> $600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
> Are these things available for rent?
>
> Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
> would be more useful for this purpose.
>
> Anyone have thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> -- dave j
> -- jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com
>
> PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
> nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
> that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.
>

[Dan[_1_]]

Will the PLB monitoring agency coordinate a rescue worldwide (i.e. say,
Mexico or the Caribbean) or only within the US? Will other countries'
SAR facilities be informed?

--Dan

ron wrote:
> I will have paid $475 after factory rebate for my ACR Aquafix 406 mHz GPS
> I/O plus shipping. It is identical to the aviation model except for the
> color of the holster. You have to ask for the "pilot" discount at:
> www.life-raft.com I have absolutely no relationship with them and found
> their name doing google searches for ELT's I think it came up in the soaring
> group. It comes with a belt loop as part of the holster.
>
> I wanted something that even my young son could use if we landed in a field
> and needed help. It's pretty sad to think he would survive if I was hurt
> but not be able to get help on his own. He will be in 2nd grade and I am
> sure he could use it if I was hurt and he wasn't.
>
> The $75 factory rebate is until the end of August. They shipped exactly
> when they said they would, I have been dealing with James Dayka and the
> company is Puget Sound Inflatables at www.life-raft.com . He emailed me
> that he is pilot also and that is why they give an extra discount. I still
> carry a handheld radio and gps though when flying.
>
> Ron A.
>
> > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> >
> > I've got a friend of mine who is going backpacking in Alaska for a
> > couple of weeks. He has expressed an interest in borrowing my handheld
> > aviation radio to use in an emergency so that they can "flag down" an
> > overflying aircraft.
> >
> > I don't mind lending the radio, but I don't think the radio affords
> > then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
> > to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
> > enough for the handheld signal to reach it *and* it would have to be
> > monitoring 121.5 or otherwise be on the same frequency. (I guess I
> > could find him an ARTCC frequency map for the area in which he'd be
> > hiking.) Maybe in Alaska monitoring guard is s.o.p., but where I'm from
> > (NorCal) it doesn't happen as much as it should.
> >
> > Is there really any reasonable chance that this would be valuable to my
> > friend?
> >
> > I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
> > $600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
> > Are these things available for rent?
> >
> > Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
> > would be more useful for this purpose.
> >
> > Anyone have thoughts?
> >
> > thanks,
> > -- dave j
> > -- jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com
> >
> > PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
> > nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
> > that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.
> >

[Andrew Sarangan[_1_]]

I think a transceiver is a great idea. Altitude should not be a factor.
Airlines are on only 7 mile up. I am not sure how many airplanes
monitor 121.5, but having the Center frequency would be useful.


wrote:
> I've got a friend of mine who is going backpacking in Alaska for a
> couple of weeks. He has expressed an interest in borrowing my handheld
> aviation radio to use in an emergency so that they can "flag down" an
> overflying aircraft.
>
> I don't mind lending the radio, but I don't think the radio affords
> then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
> to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
> enough for the handheld signal to reach it *and* it would have to be
> monitoring 121.5 or otherwise be on the same frequency. (I guess I
> could find him an ARTCC frequency map for the area in which he'd be
> hiking.) Maybe in Alaska monitoring guard is s.o.p., but where I'm from
> (NorCal) it doesn't happen as much as it should.
>
> Is there really any reasonable chance that this would be valuable to my
> friend?
>
> I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
> $600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
> Are these things available for rent?
>
> Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
> would be more useful for this purpose.
>
> Anyone have thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> -- dave j
> -- jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com
>
> PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
> nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
> that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.

[Chris W]

wrote:
> I don't think the radio affords
> then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
> to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
> enough for the handheld signal to reach it

If your hand held can't reach out to a plane 40,000 ft up and 20 miles
out, it is junk. Now contacting someone on the ground, is another
story. You would probably only get 3 to 5 miles, maybe 10 if your
really lucky, and have a good antenna. Speaking of which, the antenna
can make or break your ability to communicate. I'm not to familiar with
what is available for aviation hand helds but I know for 2 meter
(144Mhz) ham radio hand helds you can get very nice after market
antennas that preform much better than the stock rubber duck. 121.5Mhz
is far enough from 144Mhz, that the antennas for a 2 meter radio
wouldn't work very well. Using a power meter with swr functionality you
could always build and tune a pretty simple antenna that your friend
could roll up and put in his back, then string it up a tree if he needed
it. A twin lead J-Pole antenna does a pretty good job, is very simple
to build, and can be made for less than $5.

A ham radio friend of mine here in OKC used to talk to a pilot who flew
through Oklahoma on a regular basis. The pilot had a hand held 2 meter
radio in the cockpit, and as long as he was heading toward the city, my
friend could talk to him over 100 miles out. If instead of the little
antenna on the hand held, he were using a belly mounted antenna on the
plane, the signal would have been even stronger.

--
Chris W
KE5GIX

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[Ron A.[_1_]]

It is supposed to be worldwide, sharing between US and Russian satellites.
I understand satellite phones are not completely worldwide.

Since it is a 406 mHz beacon, once you fill out the registration on the NOAA
website, they know who you are and what phone numbers to call. I even added
the N numbers of the planes I usually fly. You can update it at any time if
you lend it to a friend. For instance, I could send it with my father when
he goes fishing in Canada.

The GPS models give location to within 100 meters within 5 minutes or so.
For less than $500, I can't imagine why someone wouldn't buy the GPS models.
We just had a Baron go down near my home airport and it took 3 hours to find
him even though he was conscious in a corn field and was talking to Center,
he couldn't walk out though. I keep mine accessible when I fly now. I
usually just put it in my headset bag after I take my headset out.

It only weighs 13 oz. and is useful even if you had to ditch in water, it is
buoyant but works better with the antenna out of the water. It reduces the
time to rescue even if you are somewhere it can't get a good view of the
sky. The NOAA website has some good information. It is such an advantage
over the useless ones in the airplane. I just wish they had a "G" sensor on
them, that would be nice.



"Dan" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Will the PLB monitoring agency coordinate a rescue worldwide (i.e. say,
> Mexico or the Caribbean) or only within the US? Will other countries'
> SAR facilities be informed?
>
> --Dan
>

[[email protected]]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it is manditory for the
high-flyers to monitor 121.5. I have a friend that works in a tower
and the odd time when I pay him a visit you'll hear the high-flyer
transmit on 121.5 by mistake.

-dr


wrote:
> I've got a friend of mine who is going backpacking in Alaska for a
> couple of weeks. He has expressed an interest in borrowing my handheld
> aviation radio to use in an emergency so that they can "flag down" an
> overflying aircraft.
>
> I don't mind lending the radio, but I don't think the radio affords
> then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
> to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
> enough for the handheld signal to reach it *and* it would have to be
> monitoring 121.5 or otherwise be on the same frequency. (I guess I
> could find him an ARTCC frequency map for the area in which he'd be
> hiking.) Maybe in Alaska monitoring guard is s.o.p., but where I'm from
> (NorCal) it doesn't happen as much as it should.
>
> Is there really any reasonable chance that this would be valuable to my
> friend?
>
> I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
> $600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
> Are these things available for rent?
>
> Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
> would be more useful for this purpose.
>
> Anyone have thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> -- dave j
> -- jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com
>
> PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
> nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
> that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.

[Dan[_1_]]

So if I go down in the Sea of Cortez (like that Mooney a few years
back) and activate this thing, I should expect the Mexican coast guard
to arrive in a few hours?

--Dan


Ron A. wrote:
> It is supposed to be worldwide, sharing between US and Russian satellites.
> I understand satellite phones are not completely worldwide.
>
> Since it is a 406 mHz beacon, once you fill out the registration on the NOAA
> website, they know who you are and what phone numbers to call. I even added
> the N numbers of the planes I usually fly. You can update it at any time if
> you lend it to a friend. For instance, I could send it with my father when
> he goes fishing in Canada.
>
> The GPS models give location to within 100 meters within 5 minutes or so.
> For less than $500, I can't imagine why someone wouldn't buy the GPS models.
> We just had a Baron go down near my home airport and it took 3 hours to find
> him even though he was conscious in a corn field and was talking to Center,
> he couldn't walk out though. I keep mine accessible when I fly now. I
> usually just put it in my headset bag after I take my headset out.
>
> It only weighs 13 oz. and is useful even if you had to ditch in water, it is
> buoyant but works better with the antenna out of the water. It reduces the
> time to rescue even if you are somewhere it can't get a good view of the
> sky. The NOAA website has some good information. It is such an advantage
> over the useless ones in the airplane. I just wish they had a "G" sensor on
> them, that would be nice.
>
>
>
> "Dan" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> > Will the PLB monitoring agency coordinate a rescue worldwide (i.e. say,
> > Mexico or the Caribbean) or only within the US? Will other countries'
> > SAR facilities be informed?
> >
> > --Dan
> >

[Ron A.[_1_]]

I haven't read any stories of rescue forces ignoring people for laughs.

If you are hours away from other people using normal transportation, then a
reasonable person would assume it would take a rescue some time to get
there. At least they know where and who you are. Personally, I would carry
equipment with me to survive a time until rescue. The 406 mHz GPS beacons
are just a big bonus.

Ron



"Dan" > wrote in message
ps.com...
> So if I go down in the Sea of Cortez (like that Mooney a few years
> back) and activate this thing, I should expect the Mexican coast guard
> to arrive in a few hours?
>

[Thomas Borchert]

> I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
> $600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
> Are these things available for rent?
>

Yep, that's what he needs. I think I've read about rentals somewhere, but
can't remember.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[[email protected]]

Many remote areas of Alaska have a single frequency that all
low-altitude aircraft monitor. You might check the charts for wherever
your friend will be backpacking. I've spent time in Wrangell-St Elias
NP (where everyone monitors 122.9) and was able to use my handheld to
prevent a "rescue" when I was overdue back from a trip but didn't need
assistance. Priceless.



wrote:
> I've got a friend of mine who is going backpacking in Alaska for a
> couple of weeks. He has expressed an interest in borrowing my handheld
> aviation radio to use in an emergency so that they can "flag down" an
> overflying aircraft.
>
> I don't mind lending the radio, but I don't think the radio affords
> then very much protection. In order for it to "work," there would have
> to be an aircraft overflying their area *and* it would have to be low
> enough for the handheld signal to reach it *and* it would have to be
> monitoring 121.5 or otherwise be on the same frequency. (I guess I
> could find him an ARTCC frequency map for the area in which he'd be
> hiking.) Maybe in Alaska monitoring guard is s.o.p., but where I'm from
> (NorCal) it doesn't happen as much as it should.
>
> Is there really any reasonable chance that this would be valuable to my
> friend?
>
> I have suggested they get a personal 406MHz ELT, but they are about
> $600 for a regular unit, and $700 for one that also incorporates a GPS.
> Are these things available for rent?
>
> Also, can one rent an Iridium phone reasonably? That seems like it
> would be more useful for this purpose.
>
> Anyone have thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> -- dave j
> -- jacobowitz73 --at-- yahoo --dot-- com
>
> PS -- I know it's also illegal to operate an airband radio for a
> nonaviation purpose, but I figure I should not be too worried about
> that, if they really intend to use it in for an emergency only.