Mistakes were made. How a HAM radio saved our lives in the backcountry of Idaho.
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Stuck in the snow deep in the Boise National Forest of Idaho. Nobody for miles. Weather moving in, and unable to walk out. It was as dire as they come, and thankfully it all ended well.
Watch and see how a ham radio saved our lives.
I misspoke...it was USQ, not USX. Much thanks to Art and Reese!
Glad to hear that you, your wife and dog made it out OK!
Lessons were definitely learned!
I bet this Thanksgiving had a special meaning!
The video was embarassing to make, admitting I let my guard down when all the tools I needed to self-rescue were at home. Never again.
@@IdahoLife hi I hope I can point in the direction of garmin inreach satellite text messager that’s works any world in world with sos features
Wow. Thanks for sharing your story. I'll be sharing it with others.
Thanks Ralph!
Thanks for the video. This is exactly why I also have a ham radio in my truck. Almost had to use it in the west desert of Utah but I didn't end up needing it. *For all: repeaterbook has an app for Android at least and does not need internet connection to give you the list of nearest repeaters. This is easier than mapping out all repeaters imo :)
Great advice!
Thanks for the story.
I dont have experience with onx but i use caltopo, im able to build maps with repeater locations and whatnot and export those for print and also customized avenza maps. I have maps built for my home location and can quickly build maps for areas we are going to explore and frequent often.
This is the kind of example where I appreciate having a background in backpacking. Met the wife this way, backpacking year-round much of it in NH. 62 now so that hasn't been going on for a while, but we still occasionally camp. New hams we are now though. Wanted to comment a bit on your mentioning getting somewhat panicked at around 10PM. I've learned a way of simply checking in with myself when under unusual circumstances. In this case: Am I OK? Shelter? (the truck) Warm enough? (generate warmth or clothing or sleeping bag) Am I reasonably hydrated? Fed? It may not be a great situation, but if those bases are covered especially with outside communication, you've got a lot going for ya. Thanks for sharing. Yes, be prepared.
Just stumbled onto your video. So glad for a positive and safe outcome.
Your story is the epitome of 'prepare to self-rescue!' I get so much 💩 on social media for all the stuff I carry in my truck. Living in Montana has taught me that anything is possible.
As a fellow Ham, this is why I got into the hobby, the possibility of helping someone in need or getting help myself! I hope people can take your story and learn from it. I'm glad you guys got down safely. I'm thankful for SAR, your tow truck rescuer, and the other Hams who helped out!
I love POTA and checking in on the local nets, but ham can be so much more. In this case, a hobby turned into a true life saving device, which I'm pretty sure was it's primary purpose.
@@IdahoLife That's what got me into Ham Radio! I want to help out in some kind of an emergency. Chances are slim, but I'm here for it.
Just found your video and great to listen to, and reminder about safety while exploring! I got stranded 19 miles up forest road last summer with brakes locking up, but grateful to have forest service happen to drive up behind me about an hour later. Thank you for sharing again and glad you had map/location and radio...with great hams listening to help! Now, time to make sure I take a few more safety steps for offroad exploring preparedness! 73
The whole incident made my wife a "ham" believer...my budget for comms is now unlimited! haha...very thankful for those voices on the other end. Very reassuring.
THANK GOD EVERY DAY
I live in McCall and I heard about this from Art, N7CC. He was here for the winter as a skier. He lives in Seattle full time.
The Snowbank repeater is not all that listened too for the most part.
I spend a lot of time in the back country by myself and carry radios, GPS equipment, overnight gear, etc.
I also tell at least three people where I am going.
Art was a huge help. Very thankful those two guys were listening and stayed with us throughout the entire ordeal.
reduce power on radio to minimum needed, also start making calls at predetermined times to conserve power.
This is one of the reasons I invested in an InReach Mini Satelite radio, even tho for the most part, it is unused. But I pay the subscription, and keep it in my Subaru, because like you, I sometimes just like to head out. I do have some food and water, but I'm not really prepared for an overnight unless it is planned. I'm gonna take that advice and take at least a small tarp, a winder sleeping bag, and maybe even a small pup tent. As you say, if the truck had gone over, it may have ceased to have been shelter at that point, and You may have needed to find shelter on the ground. You guys did good, despite the "I coulda done this better". How many people do this and don't even have a radio of any kind. Thanks for sharing the story. It is a good lesson for all of us. Databyter
I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I also have a Garmin inReach Mini. It was safely at home on my workbench, right beside my ACR PLB. Nothing stings more than paying a monthly subscription only to not have it when you need it. Thanks for the reply!
@@IdahoLife You defintely DID mention it which is one of the lessons I take away from your very valuable video. I often have it in the house to charge or play with making a route, so it does not spend 100% of the time being in the car, But it SHOULD. When I am done with it, I need to put it in the bowl by the door, along with other things that need to go with me. And it's current home is in my center console. If I take it out for any reasons, that is where it goes back. Because I can't PLAN an emergency, and I can't depend on my memory. Databyter
Glad you made it and all is well. I am a ham myself, got involved because you never know! Interesting you own the FT-2980, so do I...it's 80watts and built like a tank. Take Care.
80 watts is exactly why I bought it, and thankful I did. Because you can never have too much power in an emergency situation!
Awesome story. I've got lots of tools and gear but will review and supplement. I have Yaesu FT8800 in my car and a Baofeng uv-5r on my backpack daily.
One can never have too many comms plans...PACE: Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency! Thanks for the comment!
Glad everything went good after all, that's great that you can realise and conclude your mistakes. Also, do you have winter tires that day or that was mud ones like on the picture?
Thanks! And no, I had the straight up mud tires as seen in the photos. Lesson learned!
if a tow truck drive can't find a GPS location they suck, but if they just could not make it that happens, they could have had a better information on the conditions to expect.
You need a garmin inreach mini satellite text messager. Glad your safe . I became ham also and got the yeasu ftd5r for APRS
I think you said had the garmin and left it , glad your ok and keep your garmin inreach always with you
Trust me, the inreach now lives in my glove box! I just need to make sure and take it out periodically to charge it...