Camping trip through the Rockies and VHF channels

[OpSec]

It is disappointing that we have marine-16, air guard, etc., but no single "go-to" civilian emergency freq. I'm sure we could find a little-to-unused, probably currently federal VHF frequency to petition for such a thing. Maybe find a few outdoorsy congressmen to champion the cause? Get it in NIFOG and it gets pushed out a bunch of places, then we would need to get agencies to monitor it, etc. Seems like someone must have thought of this, no?

With only slight sarcasm, I say the following:

I want to see this request go to NTIA, get sent through IRAC and approved. It won't happen. I have a foot in both the FCC and NTIA space and there is very little, if any, "little-to-unused" federal spectrum. In fact, it's so scarce the fed agencies sometimes are coming to locals to squat on their channels.

Non-savvy civilians should have a personal locator, period. Ham operators should have both a locator and a hammy radio to holler on 146.520, etc. but nobody is usually home on the latter. If you're really motivated have both of these and a FRS/GMRS radio but I'm not too sure little Sally playing hide-n-seek is going to answer the Mayday call.

 

[rescuecomm]

The old wilderness protocol is outdated especially for 146.520 Mhz. When I'm back in the woods on the weekends, I hear a lot of POTA and SOTA stations contesting on it. Due to their station's characteristics, I doubt they could hear a 5 watt handheld transmitting an SOS. Contesting defeats the purpose of a call and switch frequency, but no one uses it otherwise. The satellite based units are much better than any two way radio. Can't beat technology.

 

[tomhank]

Check out the range of high-quality camping radios at FosPower if you don't already have one. A solar panel and crank level can both supply enough power to run a camping radio. Whenever you need it, it can keep the lights on and the SOS alarm going. When power regeneration fails, the accompanying AAA batteries can supply power.

 

[gman4661]

Thanks for the information guys and the info. I monitor, thanks for that info, I always thought vhf was open communication broadcast and you just needed your license to operate on it. But that saves me from a fine and jail time besides being in an emergency.

Jail time? I didn't know you could go to jail for transmitting on a little radio. A friend told me that his mother served time for removing the tag from a pillow.

 

[ecps92]

Jail time? I didn't know you could go to jail for transmitting on a little radio. A friend told me that his mother served time for removing the tag from a pillow.

Yes - Jail (Federal) time for operating on a frequency you are not licensed or authorized to transmit on.

 

[gman4661]

No, you can be fined by FCC. Questioned, searched of your person, all with you & the vehicle with you. Very bad idea to use their radio system if you have no agency affiliation. In an extreme emergency your granted a one time use. If you use their system & have a Garmin, that's not the best use of your resources when you should just use the Garmin. You could also be removed from federal land. It all depends on the decision of law enforcement as to how far they will take it.

Most parks use P25, that's an expensive radio. Requires special software & that goes on & on.

Garmin Inreach will just get you help with none of the BS.

Your next best bet would be get an approved radio & use the rugged radio frequency. It's just for outdoor people. They have frequencies assigned to most NP & major recreational area like all the Dunes. FRS is another great resource.

I am puzzled by this. So, your person, other persons who happen to be with you, and your vehicle can be searched for transmitting on a radio? Who exactly would be conducting the search?

 

[mmckenna]

I am puzzled by this. So, your person, other persons who happen to be with you, and your vehicle can be searched for transmitting on a radio? Who exactly would be conducting the search?

No. FCC doesn't work that.
I'm not sure why some like to spread this image of the FCC SWAT/Tactical team swooping in on black helicopter gunships.

The FCC is pretty good about approaching violators and discussing the issue first, often including a notice of violation and giving said bonehead radio users a chance to make things right.

If stupidity continues, they tend to levy fines.

I don't think anyone is going to get searched.

Really, exceptionally stupid cases can sometimes involve US Marshals as the law enforcement component of FCC actions, but that isn't going to happen with someone who bought a $14 Baofeng off amazon and popped up on the wrong frequency.

 

[ecps92]

I am puzzled by this. So, your person, other persons who happen to be with you, and your vehicle can be searched for transmitting on a radio? Who exactly would be conducting the search?

Likely the LE Arm of the Public Safety agency that was being targeted and/or the US Forest LE Ranger, if your on their property.

The FCC and McKenna points out would be the enforcement arm, but the boots on the ground will be the ones responding to the illegal user

 

[mmckenna]

Likely the LE Arm of the Public Safety agency that was being targeted and/or the US Forest LE Ranger, if your on their property.

The FCC and McKenna points out would be the enforcement arm, but the boots on the ground will be the ones responding to the illegal user

Yeah, pissing off the local agency is going to get some attention. They'd probably hold on to things until they figured out how to get the FCC involved.

Pretty easy to prevent all this: Don't transmit where you are not licensed. Amateur radio licenses only give permission to transmit on amateur radio frequencies.

 

[AM909]

I am puzzled by this. So, your person, other persons who happen to be with you, and your vehicle can be searched for transmitting on a radio? Who exactly would be conducting the search?

<sarcasm>Though I suspect you know the answer, anyone in doubt should go stand in front of the Hoover building with their favorite radios and try chatting them up. 🤣

 

[bharvey2]

<sarcasm>Though I suspect you know the answer, anyone in doubt should go stand in front of the Hoover building with their favorite radios and try chatting them up. 🤣

<Even more sarcasm, or at least a "smart-alec" response> I can't really see why that would be a problem.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

 

[AM909]

Man, that place really sucks.