Mountain Radios

[dazza85]

Do you use one of these when you go out hunting ?
If not why not ?
Pros and cons ??

[basics]

never herd of it, what are they worth, weight?

[bobrocket]

I used to use (carry) one for mountaineering/tramping down south, their a good idea but it's kinda like a spare tyre, you carry it around for years but the day you don't have it is the day you want it. I don;t remember specifics on the radio just a few thoughts from back in the day.

PRO's
can be good for the longer trips, getting weather forecasts, can be good as a back up if your going deep bush, log your position with SAR each day, gives them a good place to start if the unfortunate happens.
Can rent them on a trip by trip basis, don't have to be a club member to rent them

CON's
Weight
Expensive
reception - climbing the hill (tree) to get a signal

I'm not sure what the more modern units are like but from the pic I'd say their a lot better than what they used to be

[Mud Hog]

Only used a couple of times as bobrocket said their good for weather forecasts on extended trips. And getting messages passed on. I dont know if the new ones are better now but we had to run a 20 meter ariel as high as possible. So was set up at camp. Not much good if something happens away from camp. Sorry Dazza85 for going a bit off topic but has anyone used satelite phones for camping, tramping, hunting?

[Swamped]

the old style butter boxes we used were less than average. The new models can use a tree with a throw weight to string the aerial making setup much easier. Reception is far superior to the old style (dipole) radios.Can hear far clearer than the old radios as the speakers seem to be better.
X2 the spare tyre comment. epirbs are coming down in price so probably worth having one of them instead for if the shit hits the fan. They weigh quite a bit less also as well as being less bulky in your pack.

[juz]

Mud Hog, used sat phone when Ize working up coast in the bush, think there like $20min to use(altough work was paying so not exactly sure) but was hard to pick up satellites sometimes and was especially hard in steep/deep valleys and in thick bush. Would be talking away fine then itd be dead when lost satellite.