Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

I agree with Irv that for SAR public safety frequencies are the better
option, usually.  Most SAR teams in New Mexico have their own licensed
frequency, which all members of the team can use without an individual
license.  That is a big plus.  The minus, a relatively small one, is
that the frequency can be used only for public safety purposes, not for
members' personal uses;  this can limit to mock searches, other training,
and event support the amount of practice that a member in training gets
in using the radio effectively.

For my event last weekend, I chose to go with ham not public service so
that we could use two ham repeaters with excellent coverage (mostly line
of sight) in the event area.  The two farthest stations were about 20
miles from each other, one down in a canyon, the other up on and almost
behind a mountain.  Most of the hams involved were also SAR responders,
which was an added bonus in the event of an emergency.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico