I normally carry a PLB (fastfind), HT (ft-60R) Cell Phone & gps. My partner, Gloria is also a ham so we use our radios a lot. If we are hiking in remote areas, I leave the vehicle radio (D-700) in crossband mode linking us to a suitable repeater. If we are in "self rescue" areas like the nearby military training area, we make sure there is someone capable of assisting us, monitoring the repeater. Not all the areas are covered by repeaters though.

The PLB is the real "last resort" item. The other gear provides other service, but is not intended as primary safety equipment. That said, I would try to get assistance with all the other gear before resorting to the PLB.

I guess I have been packing this stuff so long that I really don't notice the weight.

The PLB has really eased our minds a lot. This is especially true when one of us is hiking alone.

Nomad

Depends on situation, but generally less is better. Add batteries.

I have a Midland GXT795VP4. Newer versions exist as well.

Like JBMatt, I often just carry a map and compass backed up with a PLB. I often travel solo so I don't often need (or want) to talk to others. For work and SAR I have a GPS and an Aviation Band portable (in and out by helicopter), business band or GMRS radio's and the like as needed. Ham is nice, but I have found much better coverage with the Aviation Band, and have carried it in very remote areas (Alaska, overseas) before PLB's and SAT Phones were available. Seldom found a place I could not listen to the airlines on center frequencies, and talk to them if needed.


I guess I am like the fellow Calvin Ruttrum talks about who watched the boat sail away from a northern Canada shore in the '30's and said "At least now if we holler for help, no one will hear us" :-)

Respectfully,

Jerry