Very honestly, on the typical backpacking trip I wouldn't bother carrying a radio or any sort. The weight and bulk is better utilized for stamdard emergency gear.<br><br>I worked a project in Isle Royale some time ago - a beautiful area which I want to return to for recreation one of these days. In the summer at least, ISRO is a very comfortable and pleasant area with probably fewer intrinsic hazards than most wild areas - water, water, everywhere.The ranger patrol boats will monitor channel 16 direct and with all the boat traffic around the island you certainly have a "radio rich" environment, so lugging a light radio in a relatively large group might be worthwhile. Just be sure you have charged batteries, be sure that the unit can't be turned on inadvertantly, and that, if possible, you can rob flashlights, etc. for backups for the "charged" batteries. Murphy's Law applies with a vengeance to electrical gear in the great outdoors.