Ham radio - The Colorado Trail

imported
#1

Has anyone used a ham radio on the CT?
What was your reception like?
What brand/type of radio did you use?

:slight_smile:

Seraphina

#2

Not the CT, but I have on the AT. HF or VHF? I assume you mean VHF. It all depends on the repeater coverage. With a 5 watt HT you can hit a repeater 35 miles or so out. Elevation increases that quite a lot - VHF is all radio line of sight (farther than visual line of sight). HF is not usually local. With a 20 meter QRP HF rig you could talk easily to California but not the next county - and the antenna for that is another problem.

Sam N4MAP

#3

Another thing - Colorado has a linked repeater system that covers most of the state (VHF 2 meters). Last time I was there 2 or 3 years ago they even had a net each night for backcountry checkins. They have a web page at:
http://www.colcon.org/

Sam N4MAP

#4

I just wish that I knew for sure if I would get any reception via ham radio or not.

I’ve also looked into sat. phones (rent or buy) and it’s expensive.

I’ve also looked into the one GPS that does email messaging and it’s way too expensive ($900.00 not including the messaging service provider’s expenses).

I’m hiking solo and want some sort of communication device.

:oh

Seraphina

#5

Seraphina, are you licensed or familiar with ham radio ? The question of “reception” is a complex one. As Sam, N4MAP, metions, there are various bands each with different characteristics and purposes. You can communicate with people around the world from any spot in the US with the right equipment and knowledge.

BTW, there is a reflector devoted to ham radio on the AT called ATRAIL on Yahoogroups.

Goody
K3NG

Goody

#6

You’ll never know for sure. Ham radio is not a telephone system. You can’t call a number and be sure to get someone at the other end. You can’t press a button and get immediate help.

Sam N4MAP

Sam N4MAP