Is a handheld unit even worth it for me ?

[SigIntel8600]

I live in Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario. From the amount of traffic I hear on my scanner I guesstimate that the local amateur radio crowd is dedicated but quite small. I would be interested in Ham radio mainly for emergency situations and not so much for socializing and chit chat. My understanding is that even with a good handheld unit in ideal conditions the range of such a unit may be not much more than 2 miles or so. So if I am at a greater distance than that from another amateur radio operator/repeater station is my unit of any use ?
Thanks in advance for any

If you have the money to spend, the one handheld I can recommend for possible emergencies is the RFinder B1+. In addition to VHF/UHF RF, the B1+ utilizes DMR over ip (DMRoip) with either WiFi or cell phone service. The B1+ is also an Android cell phone so you have 911 and phone calls via cell, text messaging, as well as access to Android apps (GPS, Weather, etc.) Of course if you are in the boonies with no cell or WiFi service, a Satellite Phone is the way to go.

 

[mortoma61]

"You can't use it on the ham bands without one. (Even in emergencies)."

You can get on any radio frequency, in any band in an emergency in the United States. For God's sake you could get on an aviation radio and try to raise someone in an airplane if life and limb are on the line, if you had to. And the FCC allows that.

 

[jwt873]

Is that actually written somewhere in law, or does it just seem to make sense that the FCC would allow it?

As mentioned, in Canada there are no provisions for transmitting without a license when a license is required. But if it resulted in the saving of a life, then that would be an extenuating circumstance that would most likely result in the Canadian authorities not laying charges, or if they did, it most likely would result in an acquittal in court.

 

[mmckenna]

Is that actually written somewhere in law, or does it just seem to make sense that the FCC would allow it?

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-43A1.pdf

To drive the point home, the current Chairwoman of the FCC issued a very blunt statement (attached below). A notable line from the Chairwoman's response was "You can’t interfere with public safety communications. Full stop." (see attached PDF below).



- No part of the FCC Part 97 rules authorizes transmitting on public safety frequencies. Hams will often claim that 97.405 gives them the authority. It does not. What these hams fail to recognize is that Part 97 rules -ONLY- apply to the Part 97 frequencies. The FCC is very clear about this.

-One would hope that in a real emergency (not one made up in the amateur radio operators head), that a responsible adult would do the right thing.

-Many hams will not invest in the right tools to properly communicate in an emergency. Instead, they'll spend a $25 on a Cheap Chinese Radio and assume that gives them some level of "First Responder" authority. (Orange safety vest and blinky lights on the wife's minivan not included).

 

[bharvey2]

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-43A1.pdf

To drive the point home, the current Chairwoman of the FCC issued a very blunt statement (attached below). A notable line from the Chairwoman's response was "You can’t interfere with public safety communications. Full stop." (see attached PDF below).



- No part of the FCC Part 97 rules authorizes transmitting on public safety frequencies. Hams will often claim that 97.405 gives them the authority. It does not. What these hams fail to recognize is that Part 97 rules -ONLY- apply to the Part 97 frequencies. The FCC is very clear about this.

-One would hope that in a real emergency (not one made up in the amateur radio operators head), that a responsible adult would do the right thing.

-Many hams will not invest in the right tools to properly communicate in an emergency. Instead, they'll spend a $25 on a Cheap Chinese Radio and assume that gives them some level of "First Responder" authority. (Orange safety vest and blinky lights on the wife's minivan not included).

Oh, here we go again. What's the saying?: You can lead a horse to water......

 

[mmckenna]

Oh, here we go again. What's the saying?: You can lead a horse to water......

Exactly. People are going to do what they want to do.
But hopefully some actually read the linked/attached documents and see that (at least in the USA) the FCC has been exceedingly clear on this subject.

But, as a disclaimer*, if someone is going to die because you cannot reach first responders, I'd probably do whatever it took to get help. But I've thought that through and come to the conclusion that buying a $14 CCR isn't the solution.


* "Zombie apocalypse", "SHTF", "Prepper", Amateur Radio Operator, RACES, ARES, Baofeng, "Some guy on the internet said…", "I'm practically a first responder", those diagnosed with acute whackerism, and any vehicle with magnetic mount antennas or amber/white/green strobes do not qualify.

 

[mmckenna]

acute whackerism,

I need to trademark that.

Acute Whackerism™

 

[bharvey2]

* "Zombie apocalypse", "SHTF", "Prepper", Amateur Radio Operator, RACES, ARES, Baofeng, "Some guy on the internet said…", "I'm practically a first responder", those diagnosed with acute whackerism, and any vehicle with magnetic mount antennas or amber/white/green strobes do not qualify.

Huh, all the terms that send me running away in the other direction.

 

[bharvey2]

I need to trademark that.

Acute Whackerism™

I'm thinking merit badges for the yellow vests

 

[littona]

I'm thinking merit badges for the yellow vests

 

[AK9R]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

I think the OP has taken his answers and left the building.