Two way radios for bc riding

[Foggy_Goggles]

I think I might have some info regarding FRS/GMRS frequencies, wattages and licences wrong now that I think a little more about it. Maybe Summit or someone has better info. The practical advice is that if you use VHF, be careful about what frequencies you use.

Another point is that even VHF are still really only line of site. After market antennae help.

[Foggy_Goggles]

The Baofeng radios are dual band. That means they will transmit on the GMRS channels (UHF) as well. Legally, no. But they are capable.

While no one has used a VHF radio for an emergency rescue doesn't mean it is out of the realm of possibility. Programming in the Colorado Connection repeaters wouldn't be a terrible idea in case of emergency in a location without cellular connectivity.

Good info. Do you have any experience with who monitors the repeaters? I'm trying to get a little more educated and get my HAM licence as I am I site liaison for a pile of paragliding sites in Western Grand County. We operate on 151.955 and most pilots carry InReaches however it would be helpful if we could get in touch with first responders via VHF.

[bfly]

Do you have any experience with who monitors the repeaters?

https://colcon.org/wp/about-us/

No rescue organizations monitor the repeaters that I know of. I would hope that a HAM, who monitors the network, would be kind enough to relay your information to the authorities if there were an emergency.

[summit]

https://colcon.org/wp/about-us/

No rescue organizations monitor the repeaters that I know of. I would hope that a HAM, who monitors the network, would be kind enough to relay your information to the authorities if there were an emergency.

That actually happened this winter. HAM was injured in BC, radio to the local CC repeater, was heard by a HAM a couple counties over, gave coordinates, and that person called it into 911. SAR went to the coordinates and got him out.

CC used to have phone patch capability... dunno if they still do? My HAM license expired years ago.

[Foggy_Goggles]

That actually happened this winter. HAM was injured in BC, radio to the local CC repeater, was heard by a HAM a couple counties over, gave coordinates, and that person called it into 911. SAR went to the coordinates and got him out.

I just started learning about this while up in Canada. The way that private entities (guides, helicopters, lodges etc.) assist and are involve in SAR is very different than what I'm used to. It seemed like the repeater network was robust and very effective. I wonder why it is not used more around here.

[summit]

I just started learning about this while up in Canada. The way that private entities (guides, helicopters, lodges etc.) assist and are involve in SAR is very different than what I'm used to. It seemed like the repeater network was robust and very effective. I wonder why it is not used more around here.

1. Canada guides are much more likely to be ACMG certified, versus the very loose meaning of "guide" in the US.
2. Canada has a lot more heliski helicopters versus the availability of public rescue helos while in the US lower 48, private ski helos are rare and rescue helos are fairly common (not Alps level common). CO has 2 private ski helis but well over a dozen medevac helos + the army.

But, back in the 80s, before it crashed and went out of business, the heliski company in Summit County used to help with rescue.

[LeeLau]

I just started learning about this while up in Canada. The way that private entities (guides, helicopters, lodges etc.) assist and are involve in SAR is very different than what I'm used to. It seemed like the repeater network was robust and very effective. I wonder why it is not used more around here.

Reposted from other thread.

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This is region-specific to BC.

My touring party uses a specific VHF radio channel reserved by a mutual friend's construction company in the high-frequency band used by SAR and first responders. If some third party joins us and doesn't have a field-programmable radio we may use a marine frequency or a rural road frequency allocated for northern BC use for inter-party communications. I have a spare radio I lend to someone who joins us who doesn't have a radio

If I go to a new area and I know there's a commercial outfit there I may (but not always) ask for permission to use their repeater or their simplex frequencies for emergency-only communications. If I don't have permission I don't use the repeater but may monitor the simplex just so I know not to get in the way. They have always given permission when asked and are more often than not surprised that I ask. I have used that relationship also to ask for weather updates and to show gratitude; drop off beer. I've used this courtesy once in 20 years to report an incident involving guided clients where I helped a lost client get back to their guides.

I do the same thing in a new area to ask what SAR frequencies are used and also monitor the ACMG channel. In Whistler I've used that feature twice in 20 years to call in incidents. One involved myself. One involved a third party where we helped in a rescue.

As the OP mentioned we use radios all the time for interparty communications for safety; for group splitting etc.

[Z]

^seconding what lee said.

There is no reason not to get a VHF capable radio, and program UHF channels in if you would like. There seems to be less infrastructure in the US, but there are still options. For one, program your local ski patrol's freq in for emergency use. And whatever freq the local SAR group uses, and/or the helicopter company they do rescue work with....

For Cody's deal - with a VHF he would have had a few extra options. He maybe could have hit someone on the Hwys Duffey channel, or Blackcomb Heli's Repeater (probably not from that location). Otherwise maybe a guide on the ACMG freq across the valley would could have relay'd. Who knows, but that's generally the first option in Canada unless you are in a remote area.

The baofengs are ok. They are not actually the power/wattage they advertise, but they work and are easy to program with the cable/CHIRP. Some models I've used have annoying squelch issues that have to be messed around with. For emergency use, and for the price - they are a no-brainer.

[Foggy_Goggles]

I agree with Z. That said, the reason not to go VHF is that many people don't practice with or have the patience to deal with the complications of their gear. That is why I advocate having a "radio master" or at least owning 2 radios that you can verify their compatibility.

I'm gonna try and see if I can get the local ski patrol and SAR frequencies but I'm a little skeptical. The answer always seems to be "call 911".

[splat]

Any of these radios come vox ready?

[summit]

I agree with Z. That said, the reason not to go VHF is that many people don't practice with or have the patience to deal with the complications of their gear. That is why I advocate having a "radio master" or at least owning 2 radios that you can verify their compatibility.

I'm gonna try and see if I can get the local ski patrol and SAR frequencies but I'm a little skeptical. The answer always seems to be "call 911".

Information is public, https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=265 https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=250

Knowing which are monitored/used, what to do with it in an emergency can be more complex. Plus someone who isn't practiced in radio discipline can clog up an emergency channel being used for another call, or even that call. If you haven't worked public safety, you need to scan for a while to get an understanding, which is a lot of effort for an emergency only maybe freq. If someone is not pretty familiar, it can make a lot more sense to just have your GMRS radio and a InReach and you simply pass in the InReach message "Contact me on GMRS channel 14-0" and SAR will do that.

[anotherVTskibum]

Information is public, https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=265 https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=250

Knowing which are monitored/used, what to do with it in an emergency can be more complex. Plus someone who isn't practiced in radio discipline can clog up an emergency channel being used for another call, or even that call. If you haven't worked public safety, you need to scan for a while to get an understanding, which is a lot of effort for an emergency only maybe freq. If someone is not pretty familiar, it can make a lot more sense to just have your GMRS radio and a InReach and you simply pass in the InReach message "Contact me on GMRS channel 14-0" and SAR will do that.

If you happen to live within range, scanning ops traffic (patrol and lift maintenance, which have been on the same channel in the places I've skied) is also helpful for informing your plan on a lift-served day.

That said, I'd be very reticent to get on a SAR or patrol frequency without either permission (which, as a race coach, I've commonly had for contacting patrol as necessary) or a life-threatening situation with no other communication channel available; as noted above, it's easy to gum up the works going on a channel that you don't belong on, doubly so if you haven't listened enough to know the expected procedures on that channel.

I would be careful with passing on GMRS channel numbers, too; I'm not sure that the same channel-to-frequency map exists across all radio manufacturers at this point, particularly with the recent GMRS/FRS rules updates.

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[summit]

I would be careful with passing on GMRS channel numbers, too; I'm not sure that the same channel-to-frequency map exists across all radio manufacturers at this point, particularly with the recent GMRS/FRS rules updates.

The channels/freqs didn't change, only licensing requirements reduced and permissible power levels for FRS increased.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Thanks dudes. A lot to unpack and put a study on. The related question that I think is really relevant is how/can you text 911/dispatch on an InReach? It seem like the technology exists at a pretty fair price point for legitimate satellite texting in close to real time but the protocols are just getting established.

[summit]

Thanks dudes. A lot to unpack and put a study on. The related question that I think is really relevant is how/can you text 911/dispatch on an InReach? It seem like the technology exists at a pretty fair price point for legitimate satellite texting in close to real time but the protocols are just getting established.

Your InReach is just a weatherproof sat phone that can only do SMS messages. Initially the GEOS comm center will pass your emergency info to the locals and text you their response. They will also pass your InReach's number to your local dispatch/SAR Coordinator and you can then txt directly with them.

[mall walker]

bump for thoughts. I liked the BCA radio I borrowed from a friend but at $180 a pop, and the baofengs at $24 a pop... well...

anything more along the lines of the BCA ergonomics but baofeng price range? this would be for touring (one-at-a-timing lines w/broken visibility but staying close by), doesn't need insane range...

[adrenalated]

bump for thoughts. I liked the BCA radio I borrowed from a friend but at $180 a pop, and the baofengs at $24 a pop... well...

anything more along the lines of the BCA ergonomics but baofeng price range? this would be for touring (one-at-a-timing lines w/broken visibility but staying close by), doesn't need insane range...

I stand by my post on Page 4 re: Baofeng vs BCA

Incidentally, I am selling one BCA Link 1.0 radio as I'm upgrading to the 2.0. I could likely come up with a second one as well. Been meaning to post it for sale. $50/ea + shipping

[whyturn]

I stand by my post on Page 4 re: Baofeng vs BCA

Incidentally, I am selling one BCA Link 1.0 radio as I'm upgrading to the 2.0. I could likely come up with a second one as well. Been meaning to post it for sale. $50/ea + shipping

That’s a good deal. I had those worked good with ski buddy.


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[galibier_numero_un]

bump for thoughts. I liked the BCA radio I borrowed from a friend but at $180 a pop, and the baofengs at $24 a pop... well...

anything more along the lines of the BCA ergonomics but baofeng price range? this would be for touring (one-at-a-timing lines w/broken visibility but staying close by), doesn't need insane range...

After reading through this thread last year, going down the rabbit hole of selecting frequencies/bandwidth, certifications and such, I'm gravitating toward a BCA system or (obviously) something cheaper with good (BCA-like) ergonomics.

I get to the point of technology overload, and I keep thinking of getting to the trail head with a buddy and going through "press this button, do this, then that, then this ... " ... you get the picture.

Sometimes, standardized and simple has its merits.

Maybe I'll change my mind after a 2nd or 3rd read

... Thom

[mall walker]

I stand by my post on Page 4 re: Baofeng vs BCA

Incidentally, I am selling one BCA Link 1.0 radio as I'm upgrading to the 2.0. I could likely come up with a second one as well. Been meaning to post it for sale. $50/ea + shipping

if you got a pair at that price I’d gladly take em off your hands at any point