Thanks Dude!

I looked up "Family Radio Service" and discovered that I have a set of those radios. I just didn't know they were called FRS radios.

For anyone else that is not familiar with them. They are UHF-FM radios that operate in the 462 MHz range.

Clay Worst and I have used the set I have in the mountains and found them to be very reliable. Although the Mfgr. says they are for line of sigh communications. The signal must bounce off rock cliffs pretty good because... I remember one occasion where we were in parallel canyons with a high ridge between us, and still had no problem communicating with each other.

One more question Sardude...

What is the most used channel for people hiking out in the mtns? Clay and I always just used Ch 1 because that was the channel my set defaulted to when first turned on. I am curious about how the Deputy knew what channel the missing hiker was on to make contact with him.

Best,

Jim

Jim, the other hikers advised the deputy what channel they had been communicating on. Evidently he got into a place where he had reception or what I spoke of before. While cruising through the channels in the mountains, I have noticed that there is alot of activity on Channel 6-3. PCSO posse uses 8-4 while they are in the field on our FRS radios. We always carry PCSO VHF radios with mutual aid channels such as DPS and MCSO while in the field. We have been using HAM radios with much succes recently on our missions. Regardless, comms in the Supes is and always will be a major issue.

Wow, we just had a callout for overdue hikers on the Ridgeline. Snowing in Phoenix and someone decides to hike the Ridgeline. What were they thinking or maybe they weren't. EVERYONE knew there was a huge storm coming today. As teams were enroute we got a standdown. They contacted PCSO and told them they were ok and heading down the mountain. It says alot about our team that in horrible conditions, we were willing to head out to help someone. Maybe we just don't know any better.

Gee, I was trying to add a sarcastic smiley to the last statement but was unable to. I assure you, I am a much better rescuer than poster.

Sardude,

You guys ARE dedicated!!!

I wouldn't even go out there to look for "ME" on a day like today. If you ever get a call to go look for "ME"... I promise you the weather will be much better.

My smileys are working...

Best,

Jim

Interesting.

I typically leave on my "hike plan" what FRS channel I will be monitoring, AND I leave a secondary channel just in case the primary channel I've picked has so much traffic that it's useless. And of course, I also list my cell phone number, license plate number, what I'm wearing, where I'm going, detailed route (usually a topo map link), when I'll be back, etc.

HJ

Gee HJ, why don't you go out and get lost. You are doing everything that all hikers should. Well done Generally it is the day hiker, no light, little food, inappropriate clothing, and occasionally a map they can't read that gets lost. Nothing worse than getting to the TH and seeing a package from a new compass and a printout from the internet of a hike in their vehicles. North is North and South is South everywhere except in the Supes. We get 911 calls with coordinates occasionally. I guess you can always use your GPS to kill a rabbit if you don't know how to use it. But that is alright, it gives us something to do. I believe our 2010 number was 48 successful missions. We ARE still doing hikes looking for our 4 missing whenever we can. With what the deputies have taken care of it is in the 70's. I will try and get an exact number of rescues and subjects.

Sardude,

I agree! Wouldn't it be nice if everyone left a "Hike Plan" like HJ does!

Then again... The ones that Do never get lost, because they have done their homework, and fully prepared themselves before they went in.

I have been thinking that there needs to be a designated FRS channel for lost/injured hikers in the Superstitions. In the old days of CB... Ch-9 was the designated channel for emergencies if I remember correctly.

I see no reason Ch-9 would not work for the same purpose on the FRS band, (In the Superstitions anyway) unless it is already formally assigned for something else.

Best,

Jim

Hey ya'll, the 2010 totals are in. PCSO posse had 51 missions not including mutual aid and assisted 65+ subjects. Wish we could have gotten 52 for the one a week average although never wishing anyone would need our help. The next few months usually is our busiest time. Thank you for the forum for the postings as not all SAR incidents end badly. We wish all good hiking, dutch hunting, and may the serenity of the Supes be your muse.
Prayers for the lost and their families. We are still searching.

PCSO posse had its first rescue of 2011 on 1-9-11. Callout at 0223, 3 overdue hikers at Peralta TH. 40+ yr old with two children. Signed in at 1207 hrs and headed to Weavers Needle. Teams dispatched and contact made near Fremont Saddle. Subjects not sure of where they got off trail. Treated for hypothermia and escorted to TH. Teams out of field at 0613.
MCSO reports finding remains that could be the subjects from the July/August searches. Awaiting findings related to these. Prayers for the families. PCSO posse still searching when time permits.

What, and make your job too easy?

Well, I came by it the hard way: I went on a day hike in December, 1984, that turned into a three day hike. That was an ordeal.

I've kept on hiking, and I've learned a lot since then. I'm generally pretty well prepared. I do my homework on routes and conditions. I carry the 10 essentials for anything more than local walks. I have a pretty good idea of what I am and am not capable of. I leave a hike plan. And as a last resort, I do have a PLB. Pricey, but a friend of mine broke an ankle and spent three days out on a high peak in a blizzard before RMRU (interestingly enough it was RMRU which has a connection to this forum) found her. Had she had a PLB, she would most likely have been out the afternoon or evening of the first day. I bought my PLB just weeks after that.

HJ

HJ,

In my opinion... ANYTHING that gives you a reliable connection to the outside world is priceless! I prefer the "SPOT" device because I can send "OK" messages home at least once a day, when I am in on long trips.

Best,

Jim