Not long ago, I went on a day trip in the Superstition Mountains with some friends.  We drove out to Superior then to Apache Junction before heading out towards Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flats.  It was a nice drive in a scenic part of the state, it also has spotty cell phone coverage.  Even though I didn’t need my cell phone that day, it was a reminder that you can’t always rely on one technology.  That’s why its wise to have an alternative.

There are several wireless communications devices that can ably serve as a backup to a cell phone.  Here are three ones to consider the next time you leave town.

CB Radio

Citizen’s Band (CB) radio may not enjoy the popularity it did in the past, but it can be useful in emergency situations. It has a relatively short range (around 3 miles) and limited channels (40) but has the advantage of being in widespread use amongst truckers. Channel 9 has been designated an emergency channel by the FCC and Channel 19 is the unofficial trucker’s channel. This makes CB radios useful in areas were trucks are present.

You don’t need a license to operate a CB radio either, making it more accessible to the general population. However, that ease of use can lead to problems due to limited channels and heavy traffic. It is worth considering as an alternative though; after all buying a Midland 40 Channel CB Radio won’t break the bank.

Airband Radio

One type that is often overlooked is airband radio. This is used by aircraft to communicate with ground stations (like Air Traffic Control) but can also be used as an emergency distress radio. Normally, an operator would need to have a license to use an airband radio, but FCC allows the following exception during an emergency:

§87.43   Operation during emergency.

A station may be used for emergency communications in a manner other than that specified in the station license or in the operating rules when normal communication facilities are disrupted. The Commission may order the discontinuance of any such emergency service.

That means if you own an Icom Air Band transceiver or similar unit, you can use it to call an aircraft during an emergency. Airband radios have much longer ranges than CB radios, meaning if you can see an aircraft you can contact it. This is an option not many people are aware of and is worth considering as a backup.

2M Band Radio

Two-meter (2M) band radios work well as both emergency and everyday use radios. It is widely popular amongst both the amateur radio community as well as emergency services. Often times, HAM radio operators will be the first to know of a situation and are often involved in coordinating responses to emergencies. While you do need a license to operate a HAM radio, it is relatively inexpensive and less burdensome than it used to be. The equipment is readily available and reasonably priced too. You can get an Icom 2M Radio online or at your local radio store for under $150, which is a lot of radio in a small package.

I have an Icom IC-V80 that I take with me whenever I leave town. One feature I really appreciate is that it has a button that tunes-in NOAA weather alert channels. It is also water resistant and rugged, I don’t worry about it when I am out and about. That said, I really should get my HAM radio license so I can legally use it in non-emergency situations.

Do some research on your own to determine which is the best one for you; what is most important though is that you equip yourself with one of these radios. It may come in handy when your cell phone isn’t able to connect to a tower. Consider purchasing these radio units as inexpensive communications insurance.