Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

Title: [MSAR] Re: radios pagers, SAR

From: David Baquis

I thought because this seems to be an area of expertise for you that you may be able to help with a different problem related to telecommunications with the deaf.  I will cut and paste from the email of the person who sent it to me:

"A transition counselor is working with a student on a job placement on a ranch on the Idaho/Nevada border. She is looking for some way for the Deaf student to stay in touch with others while out on the ranch. They usually use walkie talkies because there are no cell towers in the area. Is anyone aware of some kind of text messaging radio/walkie Talkie system set that could be used, or do you have other ideas?"

I am unaware of a way to send text messages outside of telecom infrastructure that supports paging and cellular services.  Any ideas?

The only option I can think of - outside the 2-way text messaging for cell phones or pagers - would be the very expensive option of satellite phone connection transmitting from a handheld device capable of text messaging. Someone would need to be set up to send/receive and act as the relay.

 

(For those not familiar with 2-way text messaging using pagers - a very useful method for team text communication if you have coverage - you can see the Motorola examples on

http://commerce.motorola.com/consumer/QWhtml/pagers_comp.html )

 

Using something like the Garmin Rino (GPS+radio) would only provide for transmitting location up to 2 miles, and voice up to 5 miles using the GMRS option.

 

Ultrawideband has the potential to evolve into a viable solution. See http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.04/start.html?pg=4 and

http://www.aetherwire.com/

 

If the ranch is interested in wireless telecom transmission coverage, they could investigate their own cell tower or a DAS (distributed antenna system) - see www.telecomplus.com

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Hasty Team, ICP