Radioman390 wrote:

Wouldn't people with backpacks use something a little higher frequency to
communicate?

Tokyo Hi-Power makesa handheld 40 meter (7 MHz) handheld SSB unit, that is just
a little bigger than an older Radio Shack 5 watt CB set (about 4x2x12 inches,
give or take). In fact some pictures of Osama Bin Laden show him with such a
unit in his hand. It uses a "loaded whip" antenna, and is probably the only
thing that would work from valley to valley comms...by beaming sigs upward to
be bounced downward off the F2 or other layer.

Yep, them 'loaded whip' antennas are extremely effective at 'beaming' signals
upward.

I can't wait until 2005 to hear more whacky ideas here on rec.radio.shortwave.

Happy Holidays!

dxAce
Michigan
USA