That points more to the competency of the driver than the dependability of cell phones.

My point though was to the radio ability to broadcast where a cell phone you have to know who your trying to call.

Two comments come to mind.

Chaosmagnet: FCC rules do permit the use of ANY frequency in a life threatening situation. I totally understand your point about using emergency frequencies as I was once an EMS dispatcher. Not to mention, most public systems today are digital using APCO or Pro-voice and encryption. My suggestion is to preface the call with "Please hold the frequency for emergency traffic" or "Mayday,Mayday,Mayday. . ." and then proceed. (just a humble suggestion from a fellow ham as well.)

Cellphones: Granted, there are a lot of areas where they are ineffective for a variety of reason. IF one could afford it, keeping a satellite phone handy, would fix much of that especially if one is in sparsely populated areas.

K0WHH

You're absolutely right, WesleyH, but if you have a working cellphone (as I did during the experience I related in the original post) you should use that over public safety radio frequencies wherever possible.

Where I was, and where I live (different places), the transition to digital radio for public safety is very slow, or hasn't begun.

I'm not in a place where it makes sense for me to buy a satellite radio. I'm still thinking about buying an InReach but I haven't done it yet.

Absolutely correct my friend.

Cell Phone is preferable to licensed emergency radio use. I was considering the situation described above wherein a cellphone did not work due to presumably being in a mountainous area. (which might also limit EMS communications as well.

The problem with sat phone is the outrageous cost, which is not an option for most people.

The only reason I shied away from InReach, is the question of response time.. I am not familiar enough with it, or those who have used it to be able to offer much input on it.

The scenario reminded me of Bruce Willis in Die Hard, where he is using a police radio (talk about taking liberties with reality! and on a terrorist radio to boot!) and the female dispatcher is telling him it is a police frequency. . .

His response. . . "$%^&*+{: Arrest ME!" Too funny.