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January 6th 04, 02:45 AM

On 5 Jan 2004 08:34:30 -0800, (Bob) wrote:

Hi all,

I recently suffered a back injury while mountain biking in the
woods,fortunately we had a cell phone and were able to call 911 for
medical help. Now that I am home and recuperating, I have been
wondering what cell phone alternatives are available for use in remote
areas where you may not have a cell signal.
There are two or three (if you live in NOrth America), although
calling them cell phones varies from a slight stretch to a big one.
The Iridium phone works almost anywhere, but you definitely pay for
the privledge, although it isn't a lot larger than a sat phone.

Then there are brief case phones that use the Inmarsat spot beams.
They weigh a few pounds, and will also work almost anywhere in the
world.

Within the USA, I beliver Amerisat sell phones that provide coverage
only in the lower 48.

However if you are really concerned, for about $850 you can buy an GPS
enabled EPIRB. You set that thing off, and in about 5 minutes alarm
bells start going off, and within 20 minutes, your position is known
+/1 about 35 feet, and the fact that you need help is also known. You
can expect a Search and REscue Helicopter to come after you within an
hour. (At this time 406Mhz EPRIB's are legal for land use in the
USA). The McMurdo FastFind Plus weighs about a much as a cell phone
can be carried on a lanyard around your neck.

I have been looking at the
fRS/gmrs radios and see that some are now "boasting" 10 mile ranges,
however I realize this is optimal clear line of sight conditions which
is rarely the case. My other thought is to get a technicians class ham
license and possibly purchase a small hand held radio to carry with
me. I have seen some really small units from Alinco listed in the
Monitoring Times Magazine, would this be a more practical solution? I
really don't know what type of radios and range you are allowed to
work on a tech license and as I am thinking of using this for
emergency use I would like to hear your suggestions.

Thanks in Advance

Bob

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