New to transmission options with a general question

[Twowayradiowiia]

I'm a total newbie here who is a backpacker trying to understand what my options are to be able to both listen and transmit in a densely-forested area. I already have a PLB, which is registered with the FCC, along with a Garmin Inreach Mini and they cover my emergency transmissions. I'm more concerned about being able to listen to others in the area during hunting season who are transmitting to each other to coordinate movement in the woods. I'd like to be able to hear they are out there and notify them I am a hiker coming through.

Where I go, I am always under the canopy of trees. No direct line-of-sight and getting to a mountain top isn't an option. I have some really inexpensive Midland FRS two-way radios.

What are my options to be able to improve listening and transmitting capability? Does a GRMS unit provide any better transmission? Any thoughts or advice would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you.

 

[wtp]

you would have to know what the others are using.
FRS/GMRS/MUS.
ccr's

https://www.eham.net/forum/view?id=topic=123040.0

 

[Twowayradiowiia]

Agree completely. Let's assume they are using FRS or GMRS.

 

[mmckenna]

What are my options to be able to improve listening and transmitting capability? Does a GRMS unit provide any better transmission? Any thoughts or advice would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you.

As wtp pointed out...
There's no guarantee that hunters are using any radios. In some states using radios while actively hunting is against the law.
Some may be using radios, but then you'd have to figure out if they were using FRS, GMRS, MURS, Marine VHF (illegal, but many do anyway), CB, or ham radio.
That's a couple of different radios you'd need to carry to legally transmit, not to mention the licenses, etc. Add in batteries, antennas, and remembering how to use all those radios, and you have a real headache on your hands.

If they are using ham radio, you'd have to find the specific frequencies (out of thousands) that they could be using.
With FRS, GMRS, ham and MURS, you'd also have to figure out what squelch codes they are using so they'd hear you.
You'd have to be within range.
And then you'd have to deal with the guys who don't want to talk to someone else outside of their group, they'll probably ignore you.
And what about people hunting on their own?

I understand what your goal is, but it's a very complex issue and simply having a GMRS radio isn't going to solve it.

Your best solution is to remain aware of your surroundings, wear bright colored clothing if you are around hunters, and make your presence known.

 

[rescuecomm]

You should wear a hunter orange cap. I've found that wearing a orange vest is not as effective because the backpack covers it up. You don't have your location listed, but I have a portable scanner you can have. Program it with all FRS, GMRS, and MURS channels, along with VHF channel 16, 68, 69, etc and at least you will know if anyone's transmitting.

 

[a417]

You should wear a hunter orange cap. I've found that wearing a orange vest is not as effective because the backpack covers it up. You don't have your location listed, but I have a portable scanner you can have. Program it with all FRS, GMRS, and MURS channels, along with VHF channel 16, 68, 69, etc and at least you will know if anyone's transmitting.

legally, that is.

There's always the chance that they're using illicit radios/hardware/channels.

 

[rescuecomm]

That's a possibility. Around upstate SC, there were some people using 147.800 mhz and a few using marine VHF. I only saw the marine handhelds from a distance, so no idea about frequency use.