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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Emergency radio

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tonyyarusso

08/26/2020 11:42AM

A PLB, Satellite messenger, or Satellite phone is the only thing you can rely on for emergency use. A two-way VHF radio could be useful for either conveying additional information when possible or for not-quite-emergency situations. I'm not sure what Northern Tier has - it's probably a closed commercial frequency I would guess. If you get an Amateur Radio Operator license, a good chunk of the BWCA is covered by 2-meter ham repeaters, but that does require a license for each individual who would be using them, and again that's not something you can count on for an emergency, just a supplemental option.

Gaidin53

08/24/2020 10:48PM

Just wondering are you talking about using an emergency radio to call for help if something happens?

My understanding is Northern Tier. Has a radio tower and will forward a call if they receive it. Not sure what channel or how it is monitored. Also not sure that it works for The Whole BWCA but It would work for a large swath around Moose lake since it’s a pretty tall tower. Northern Tier crews that go BWCA Do so with radios they can call in with in case of emergency, when crews go into the Quetico they take a SAT phone.

From an emergency standpoint for calling for help in case of an emergency I would NOT personally take a radio. I would bring an InReach, Spot or I think another one might exist.

This year on a family trip I took an Inreach device.

Ryan

eyesoferie44

08/23/2020 01:58PM

Does the Forest Service operate an emergency radio frequency? And if so, what channel on a hand held walker could I find it?

LindenTree

08/23/2020 04:04PM

No, the Superior NF does not have an emergency radio frequency.
However NOAA , National Weather Service does, follow the link to their frequencies.

Link