Bumbo
New member
Well, I think we are talking about multiple things here... but the Garmin Inreach is a separate thing.
I was talking about a simple VHF radio.
To expand on radio communications gear, specifically Amateur Radio aka "ham radio, it's basically "like" CB on steroids.
You need to obtain a licence from the FCC to use it. It's not hard to get, anyone can do it including kids, its cheap <$50, and would be good for 10 years. You just need to take a test and pass it.
With that, you get a licence to get on the air. Equipment (your station) is your sole responsibility to setup, use, maintain.
There is no "service" like ATT, so each operator is responsible for their own infrastructure. That is what makes this so special, there is no network or central point of failure.
There are other bands / frequencies to use as well, different things for different applications.
I have talked to someone on the other side of the globe, station to station. Its quite amazing.
As a licence holding civilian, you can even talk to the international space station using a simple handheld and an antenna.
Today we have access to equipment like digital radios, we can send voice and data over the same channel as well. GPS info, picture, text...
None of this cost money, like a monthly cost, aside from the gear which you own outright, and the licence which is a drop in the bucket.
I have my own emergency coms kit built up too... which includes a folding solar pannel, and a cross band repeater. I generally have 2-3 radios in my 4Runner at all times when adventure camping, and often times, is my only source of communications.
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