Best communication devices?

[Rusty Ranger]

What are you guys using to communicate these days - I know the old CB is mostly out?

 

[gjk5]

I currently use some Midland FRS radios but am getting ready to transition to some handheld HAM stuff since my daughter just got license and is helping me through it.

Lots of repeaters around here. Still doing homework on this though, and there are some very powerful and affordable options out there if you get your HAM.

 

[dfanonymous]

What are you guys using to communicate these days - I know the old CB is mostly out?

For vehicles or for mountains ie person to person or for just in case something bad happens?

 

[Rusty Ranger]

For vehicles or for mountains ie person to person or for just in case something bad happens?

In a word yes - LOL - I want to be able to communicate person to person - and person to vehicle. I live in a mountainous area of Oregon - and realize there will be limitations - no matter the choice -
Some use Marine Radios - but I'm hesitant to do that.

 

[Sflutes]

I use a ham. NM has fantastic repeater networks. You can literally talk from any where to anywhere in the state. Use to even have a statewide phone patch.

APRS allows me to send and receive email/txt messages. It's cumbersome but very handy.

As for the walkie talkies, Id recommend a pair of the ham-capable radios if you know how to use them. They have more power, better batteries, etc. You need a license to transmit on them in the ham band.

Otherwise, I have used midlands and Motorola's FRS and GMRS. They are ok. But don't believe the marketed range unless you are using line of sight distances. Terrain can significantly reduce communications.

Also, hunting w them is not always legal in all states if used to aid in taking game.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Garmin Rhino gps/radio. Good maps, able to track the other members of our group. Worst case scenario you'll always be able to start searching from their last location.
Terrain will limit but that hasn't been much of an issue.

 

[Rusty Ranger]

Garmin Rhino gps/radio. Good maps, able to track the other members of our group. Worst case scenario you'll always be able to start searching from their last location.
Terrain will limit but that hasn't been much of an issue.

These are some I wanted to hear about - and I think the newer one allows you to text your wifes phone - I'd like to know more about those

 

[Salmonchaser]

Rusty the Garmin are pretty effective. We hunt some pretty rough country in North East Oregon, the radios in clear air will reach six to eight miles up the canyon, line of sight. Worked just as well in Colorado. Sometimes you can't talk to your partner 1/2 mile away because of the ridge but some one else can relay. Given there are always four or five of us some one is always in position to relay.
The radio works in the truck but seems to reduce the effective range.
We have established protocol, radio check every hour, or if you get pinged. Tracking the other members of your group only happens when they ping or key the Mike. What you get is point to point information but still very useful.

 

[26Reload]

Like the Rhinos....have worked well for myself also...
Several years ago guys hiking on mt hood in Oregon got into serious trouble...a couple died..others seriously injured...one guy had a generic handheld radio he was using to get help...a kid in beaverton went out to play with his radio and his guy heard him and relayed his message.......the kid got the radio to his parents..and the guy and other bodies were recovered from mt hood.....i think the line of sight there is close to 60 miles.....cheap radio or not..better to have one than not.....and extra batteries....

 

[Sflutes]

We also had good luck with the Midland Radios. Where we are is heavily wooded and hills. I'm surprised at the effectiveness within a mile or two in the heavy woods.
The only time the radio is used is if I get an elk (I hunt alone) Then, I radio the wife and tell her to bring the horses and beer. Or she radios me and tells me something is broken or on fire back at the ranch.

 

[dmj]

Have a set of the rhinos. They are several years old and are the entry level. I hunt alone quit a bit. My son purchased them and gave me one and my wife one. Asked me to please pack it and then my wife has one in camp. That way if something happened he felt that it gave them a chance of finding me. Over the years we have used them quit a bit, both for communication and GPS. Battery life is pretty good and reasonably accurate.

 

[Rusty Ranger]

Great information - and thank you.
Do any of you know about the new ones that let you text (I know you need to sign up for the service) and how they work if you're way out?

 

[Salmonchaser]

Rusty we've sh.. canned our old sat phones in lieu of the new Garmin in reach up in AK. Satellite based program that allows for texting current message and pre recorded messages.
Been told they've been ordered I haven't seen them yet. Boss is getting one for all the guides. Might be one for you to look into.
I know a couple of guides in AK who were using the new system last year, worked great.

 

[Rusty Ranger]

Rusty we've sh.. canned our old sat phones in lieu of the new Garmin in reach up in AK. Satellite based program that allows for texting current message and pre recorded messages.
Been told they've been ordered I haven't seen them yet. Boss is getting one for all the guides. Might be one for you to look into.
I know a couple of guides in AK who were using the new system last year, worked great.

That's one I'm looking at - let me know how it works after you get them - please