Ham Radio, when everything else fails!

We will sometimes be pretty far off the main track. Will cellular phone service reach everywhere? Could we implement a better communications system in case we have an emergency or need to report something?  Jim became interested in amateur radio as back-up communications for our full-timing travels. CB radio is only reliable up to as little as three to four miles. Ham radio, depending upon the equipment and site altitude has send and receive capability for everything from hundreds of feet to thousands of miles. The capability for requesting assistance or information when other means of communication fail might be a good idea for a couple of full-timers.

Things so often are different than you thought they may be. (often better, thankfully) We bought an Airstream travel trailer in 2004, thinking it would be a good base of operations for backpacking trips. Yes, the camper will work as a rolling home from which we can stage section hikes of some of our Nation’s great trails. We were totally unprepared for other benefits of Airstream ownership. Did you know the largest single-brand RV owners’ association is Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Airstream Owners’ Association? We found a totally unexpected and delightful dimension to having an Airstream travel trailer. So it has been with the amateur radio.

We studied information about amateur radio and learned about the licensing requirements. We obtained the study book for Technician class thr