I don’t wish to hijack this thread but this is worth expanding on. I’ve lived in AK for 40 years, and have been active in the volunteer SAR community for around 30 years. (I’m getting too old for that stuff now and am winding down that part of my life.)
People often used to carry airband radios on remote trips for emergencies. The idea was that if you needed help you could wait till a plane flew over and call them, and they could relay to someone who could help you. And it did work (sometimes). There was one case I heard of where folks in the Brooks Range were able to contact a jet airliner on an over the pole route who then relayed their message. The problem is, you are dependent on a random plane flying by. (I’ve been on trips where the ONLY planes we saw was the one that dropped us off on the gravel bar and the one that picked us up a week later.) And unless you managed to have your problem somewhere that the plane can land, they aren’t going to be able to do much more than rely your problem to someone who can land there (like a helicopter).
The HUGE advantage of satellite emergency devices is that they go directly to a rescue coordination center, who can alert the nearest resource who can help you. (I have been personally involved with rescue missions that started with an InReach SOS.)
While an airband radio might be handy to talk to the helicopter when it comes to save you, a satellite device is infinitely better for that crucial first call for help. An InReach or similar should be your first choice for emergency comms in remote areas. A radio is at best an occasionally useful accessory.
Satellite phone and EPIRB are on the prohibited list. I may not even be able to keep the Marine and Airband radios with me, but they are not Ham radios or scanners which are listed as prohibited. I don't expect them to know the difference, except that labels on each radio indicate what they are. InReach by name is not listed, but may fall under satellite communications equipment. They want to be sure you use their paid WIFI.
Since Radiobern has had success taking radios similar to what I wish to take, I will try it myself and pack them in my first aid backpack as I usually do. That experience was the information I was hoping to hear about. Whether positive or negative. I am encouraged to take them. Worst case, they will keep them for me until the end of the cruise.
An air band radio could reach high altitude aircraft instead of waiting for something low to fly by. All you have to do is have a list of ARTCC frequencies and approach frequencies. You don't need to be able to see them. A handheld transceiver on the ground can communicate to aircraft at high altitude up to 200 miles or more. 121.5 may not get a response. I would not depend on 121.5. Never have considered 121.5 as reliable. My experience in aviation communications systems and conversations with ATC. I would also be sure to have a list of the RCO frequencies.
VHF marine is so widely used in Alaska, it may have a chance of making contact. So the combination of marine and aviation makes sense as I already own both.
I would not expect to reach anyone on a Ham radio handheld 2 meters, 70 cm or any other. I don't even hike at home with Ham radio. I usually carry the Air Band. We are usually able to reach cellular, but the mountains are a problem in some locations.
I am unsure how well the satellite SOS may work in Alaska from my wife's iPhone. It is not supposed to be reliable above 62 deg latitude. I have tested it at my home location. A test message works with a clear view of the sky.
TMobile has announced cell phone by Starlink access rolling out this summer. I am on the beta test waitlist. They announced $15/mo for TMobile subscribers and $20/mo for other cellular subscibers. I am unsure of the satellite footprint. If you look on the TMobile website for Starlink coverage, it shows what you would expect for cellular in Alaska, but not for satellite. Coverage near heavier populated areas. Outside those areas no coverage, so that makes no sense at all. Seems to be incorrect.
If I frequently went beyond cellular reach and in Alaska often, I would certainly invest in an InReach device and satellite subscription.
I would like to know if 155.16 Mhz is actually used for SAR in Alaska.
No problem.