Basic recovery gear/skills

[OFC Ranger]

A CB radio doesn't have as much range as one would think. Got to thank the power limit on CB Radios. Also both GMRS and HAM Radios require a license and one requires you to pass a test to get said license.

As someone who uses government VHF radios for work, I can without a doubt say that elevation (height) is king with radio comms and power comes in second.

I'd rather have a 25W radio with a 25 foot antenna than a 50w radio with a 5 inch antenna if I had to choose a well rounded system for all elevations.

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[Frenchy]

As someone who uses government VHF radios for work, I can without a doubt say that elevation (height) is king with radio comms and power comes in second.

I'd rather have a 25W radio with a 25 foot antenna than a 50w radio with a 5 inch antenna if I had to choose a well rounded system for all elevations.

On my Pathfinder I have a 15-watt radio with a 32-in antenna. Not going to lie it does have pretty good range. That said some things like mountains can block that range.

 

[OFC Ranger]

On my Pathfinder I have a 15-watt radio with a 32-in antenna. Not going to lie it does have pretty good range. That said some things like mountains can block that range.

Solid objects / LOS will always be a problem outside of satallite comms.

There are certain areas in the county I work where you dip so low in elevation radio comms just become non-existent.

Outside of that, building materials and content can also wreak havoc on our comms. The local hospital had to install a repeater at their location because comms were so bad inside. So much electronics in a hospital it is nuts.

Certain spots in the walmart you get nothing, but step one foot in another direction and they are back. Sometimes transmissions can't get out from us, but incoming can be received from dispatch. Comms are a weird weird beast sometimes.

The future of comms is a hybrid system of cellular/wireless and radio frequency as the failsafe.

 

[OFC Ranger]

On my GMRS radio for my ranger, I normally run a stubby - but when I take trips, depending, I switch it out to a 4 footer. Basically I have two sets on hand, one of which is not height friendly with drive throughs, low hanging branches, and so forth lol.

 

[Frenchy]

On my GMRS radio for my ranger, I normally run a stubby - but when I take trips, depending, I switch it out to a 4 footer. Basically I have two sets on hand, one of which is not height friendly with drive throughs, low hanging branches, and so forth lol.

Being on the roof like that the stubby should be more than adequate to suit your needs. My Pathfinder has it mounted on the spare tire carrier which is a bit lower. Because of that it's better to have the 32-in whip over the stubby

 

[OFC Ranger]

Being on the roof like that the stubby should be more than adequate to suit your needs. My Pathfinder has it mounted on the spare tire carrier which is a bit lower. Because of that it's better to have the 32-in whip over the stubby

No doubt, but you add four feet on top of roof height you can go a looooooong way on mostly flat open land with a 25w like I have. I mainly keep it around just because I'm always of equipment frame of mind 2 is 1 and 1 is none.

 

[seanellaz]

Recovery boards, shovel, recovery straps and soft shackles, a come-along, good jack.

A winch if you think you'll get really stuck. I've managed with a come-along for some bad situations (including 3 days getting out of a swamp).

Many here will have more detailed advice and you'd be surprised at how helpful others are if you get really stuck. Seems to be more out there than you may think.

Good luck and you're way ahead of most by thinking about this, that's your best piece of equipment!

I winched my old Nissan 4x4 with a 2 ton comelong. It was serious exercise.

 

[9zero1790]

I winched my old Nissan 4x4 with a 2 ton comelong. It was serious exercise.

sure is! i moved a half ton gmc about 20 feet up a slight incline once. took me about 2 hours. felt like a beating. that was years ago. im older and fatter now. id just leave the damn thing lol.

 

[subquark]

sure is! i moved a half ton gmc about 20 feet up a slight incline once. took me about 2 hours. felt like a beating. that was years ago. im older and fatter now. id just leave the damn thing lol.

For me, it's been 40 years since my three-day swamp ordeal. So I'm with you on the amount of effort.

Would I like to use the come-along today? No, but if it meant self-extraction, well you gotta do what you gotta do.

Getting older and fatter definitely puts a damper on my 7th grade mentality! =D

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