In article ,
wrote:
Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a handheld to take along on my offroad
motorcycle travels. I will be between Wendover, NV and Delta, UT. It
is about 120 miles of very barren territory, sand dunes, salt flats
and rocky mountains. My wife is concerned - and probably rightfully
so - that mechanical failure or a crash will leave me in the middle of
nowhere. I plan on following a known route (GPS), so if I go missing
too long folks will know where to look for me.

If you want RELIABLE communications from "very barren territory", forget
amateur radio.

Get a satelite phone.

--
Rich Greenberg N Ft Myers, FL, USA richgr atsign panix.com + 1 239 543 1353
Eastern time. N6LRT I speak for myself & my dogs only. VM'er since CP-67
Canines:Val, Red, Shasta & Casey (RIP), Red & Zero, Siberians Owner:Chinook-L
Retired at the beach Asst Owner:Sibernet-L

On Sun, 3 Aug 2008 10:29:37 EDT, (Rich Greenberg)
wrote:

I'm thinking about buying a handheld to take along on my offroad
motorcycle travels. I will be between Wendover, NV and Delta, UT. It
is about 120 miles of very barren territory, sand dunes, salt flats
and rocky mountains. My wife is concerned - and probably rightfully
so - that mechanical failure or a crash will leave me in the middle of
nowhere. I plan on following a known route (GPS), so if I go missing
too long folks will know where to look for me.

If you want RELIABLE communications from "very barren territory", forget
amateur radio. Get a satelite phone.

If you want to avoid a lengthy legal hassle with the law enforcement
agencies and the FCC arrayed against you, forget about using a
hand-held radio on law enforcement frequencies ANYWHERE unless you
have (1) advance agreement from them and (2) use a radio that is type
certified for such use. Amateur hand-helds are not.

--

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
ARRL Volunteer Counsel

email: k2asp [at] arrl [dot] net