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