limited range of handheld VHF radios while calling road Km's on RR roads

Lund said:

I can monitor and communicate with Silverstar ski hill here in Vernon from my house with perfect reception. I live nearly 50miles (80k) away on lake Okanagan half way to Kelowna. Using my VHF Marine radio. That is what we use for sledding.

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skegpro said:

So can my BCA do that?
Lol

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Lund said:

Nice, are you in the Vernon/Kelowna region?
Its the radio i use because i was an active member of SARs. I covered the Silverstar and Hunter Range region and i needed the ability to be in the loop should a situation arised. All SAR and chopper rescue work from this. Even when out sledding i could be contacted by local rescue for assistant, if i was in the region. We use private channels and marine channel have very low usage in the interior giving us excellent communication capabilities. I'm not a radio buff so my knowledge is limited but that is what they use so i use it.

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skegpro said:

Revelstoke.

I was yanked off the mountain once via helicopter. Called in the chopper via sat phone, he gave me his frequency and where where in communication with him the whole time made it much safer for him to find us in the white out.

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Lund said:

Your in Revy, we need to hook up.
Yes we use Sat phones too.
SAR's will also use the common radio's like BCA with the general public but with the crew not so much. We do not want public interference during an operation so crew conversation are completely kept confidential, not that SAR's keep secret's but some times crew member will say sensitive things that could complicate a situation out of frustration.
The radio i use is a marine grade 6 watt with an excellent antenna for range.

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skegpro said:

Definetly, guys I ride with are on sidewinders tho. Lol

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