QuietJourney Forums - HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA

Sep 6^th, 2026 at 3:22pm (UTC)

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HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA (Read 12629 times)

dunnd1 Full Member Offline Posts: 124 Joined: Aug 1^st, 2005	HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Aug 31^st, 2009 at 1:55am	Quote Print Post
	I have been watching APRS for a while looking to see someone in the BWCA using this protocol. So far no joy. So here are my questions to anyone who has used a ham radio in the BWCA: Can you a 1W or 5W hand transmitter with a rubber ducky antenna communicate from deep in the BWCA? If it can, is there any reason why APRS can not be used to track a person in the BWCA. I have a VX-8R and was tempted to bring it the next time I go to the BWCA, if I can communicate/call for help.


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dunnd1 Full Member Offline Posts: 124 Joined: Aug 1^st, 2005	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Reply #1 - Sep 15^th, 2009 at 6:25pm	Quote Print Post
	Nothing, nobody, nada?


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Wind-In-Face Inukshuk Offline Posts: 313 Joined: Apr 8^th, 2006	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Reply #2 - Sep 16^th, 2009 at 12:27am	Quote Print Post
	dunnd1, My guess for the lack of response is that few people, if anyone, on this board have the skill set that you have in communications. I've seen a few posts about people using SAT phones, but they sound expensive. Some people have also claimed to get cell phone reception in a few spots. And finally, some people intentionally do not want to be able to communicate electronically with the outside. So unfortunately for you, I guess aren't going to get a lot of help on this one. Wind-in-Face


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Old Salt Inukshuk Offline Posts: 4871 Location: Crossville, TN Joined: Jun 17^th, 2004	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Reply #3 - Sep 16^th, 2009 at 3:13am	Quote Print Post
	While I like HAM, I prefer BACON or SAUSAGE...


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asmjock Inukshuk Offline Posts: 641 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan Joined: Jan 4^th, 2004	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep insid Reply #4 - Sep 16^th, 2009 at 11:25am	Quote Print Post
	You might have some luck near repeaters such as along the lower Gunflint Trail... but 2m propogation is not too good when you are low and there are hills between you and the tower. And 1-5W with a small omnidirectional antenna doesn't get you too much range, to boot. So, if you are near a repeater, and don't go too far from the entry point, and are on top of a hill, maybe... You range would be greatly increased by swapping the ducky with a full size (1/4 wave) whip antenna. Still, I would only expect a handful of intermittent miles under typical BW trip conditions. -aj N8PN


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dunnd1 Full Member Offline Posts: 124 Joined: Aug 1^st, 2005	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep insid Reply #5 - Sep 16^th, 2009 at 7:56pm	Quote Print Post
	Wind-In-Face than you for the complement, but I consider myself a well read novice at best. I agree about not being reachable for the most part, but... I solo and I tend to not be in the popular places at popular times, I have a fear of breaking a wrist, losing my canoe, ….and not being able to make it out. I was wind/storm bound for most of my last trip. If I knew the weather forecast/radar, I would have slept in the day and traveled at night. I am hoping that the HAM radio will allow me to be safe, but not have an electronic leash. asmjock, thank you for the insight. You are confirming my assumptions and not in a good way. I need to think about this some more. I am open to suggestions/ideas.


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solotripper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 8126 Location: clarkston MI Joined: Mar 14^th, 2005	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Reply #6 - Sep 16^th, 2009 at 8:22pm	Quote Print Post
	How about renting a SAT phone? You could have someone call you with local weather info, or maybe you could call out? Not the cheapest, but you know they work, and IF you got hurt or lost your canoe ( Hopefully phone is ALWAYS with you), then your covered. Here's a link, I'm sure others might know of better deals? One model rents for less than $40 a week, not bad for peace of mind (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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asmjock Inukshuk Offline Posts: 641 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan Joined: Jan 4^th, 2004	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Reply #7 - Sep 16^th, 2009 at 11:29pm	Quote Print Post
	I have considered getting a handheld transceiver that will transmit and receive on both the 2m amateur radio band and the aircraft AM band. There are usually aircraft overhead in the BW/Q area and in the past they were required to monitor the aircraft AM emergency channel (and they probably still are). Even with a low powered handheld you can work what you can see or hear in the air... A while ago Icom and Yaesu both had versions of these handheld 2M/Aircraft transceivers - there may be some used ones floating about. Some older tranceivers could be opened up for such emergency only out-of-band communications. I agree that a satphone would be more reliable under most conditions, though... -aj


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Arrowhead Paddler Inukshuk Offline Posts: 68 Joined: Mar 20^th, 2007	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Reply #8 - Sep 17^th, 2009 at 1:30am	Quote Print Post
	You could also use a SPOT tracker or Personal Locator Beacon.


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dunnd1 Full Member Offline Posts: 124 Joined: Aug 1^st, 2005	Re: HAM radio, APRS, communicating from deep inside the BWCA Reply #9 - Sep 18^th, 2009 at 3:17am	Quote Print Post
	solotripper wrote on Sep 16^th, 2009 at 8:22pm: How about renting a SAT phone? You could have someone call you with local weather info, or maybe you could call out? Not the cheapest, but you know they work, and IF you got hurt or lost your canoe ( Hopefully phone is ALWAYS with you), then your covered. Here's a link, I'm sure others might know of better deals? One model rents for less than $40 a week, not bad for peace of mind (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) I looked at SAT phones. I talked to two guys from Ohio who were comming out, when I was going in to the BWCA the last time I was up there. Renting is expensive. Buying really isn't that bad. $100 for the phone. $100 a year for the contract. $3-4 a minute for time. But I decided to go with the HAM for other reasons.


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