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Ham
Radios in the Wilderness? Bill Oliver |
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Sierra Club Rules of Conduct (found, for example, on pg 21 of the current Chapter Schedule) include: "use of radios on outings, except for essential uses such as navigation or communication, is prohibited." I believe this statement was intended to prevent one from playing standard AM/FM radios, etc as well as tape and CD players (which are not "radios"). Most Club members would consider openly playing such devices as an intolerable intrusion on their wilderness experience. But the statement has also been interpreted in a way that would prevent the use of ham radios except exclusively for immediate emergency use. At my request as Activities Admin. Committee Chair, the Chapter Council recently reviewed this rule. They concluded that the wording was adequate and would allow the appropriate use of ham radios. The Chapter Safety Committee and the Leadership Training Committee would not like to see the prudent use of emergency communication equipment discouraged. It is unrealistic, in my mind, to allow a ham radio to be brought out of the pack only in the event of an unfolding emergency. The operator probably needs to develop experience in using the radio in the wilderness locale and in discovering its capabilities and locale-dependent non-capabilities.
Surely no one can doubt the value of having a ham radio along in the event of the need for emergency assistance for ourselves or for others we may encounter. Leaders are trained to send out the call for help to the nearest phone/radio. Some of us have been lucky enough, in a dire emergency, to come across a ranger or backpacker who was carrying a radio. And many of us have not! Two concerns arise, however, that could argue against carrying radios. First, the concern that the radio could give the party or individual a false sense of security, or a willingness to take risks they might not otherwise. This could lead to additional rescues for accidents that might not have happened without the radio. (These people should understand, however, that the radio and/or radio operator could be disabled in the accident.) Second, people may be tempted to radio out for help when. really they could accept the inconvenience of dealing with the situation themselves. In either case, then, great expense and perhaps great risk to Search & Rescue personnel, usually volunteers, could result from a careless attitude engendered by having a radio or by the imprudent, irresponsible use of one. Recognizing these inappropriate tendencies, let us affirm not to fall victim to them. (By the way, after several years of escalating S&R costs, at taxpayer expense, the National Park Service appears on the verge of implementing a cost-reimbursement plan. Don't look for a "free' rescue in the near future.) It's worth pointing out, on the other hand, that a radio could also prevent an unneeded rescue. Twice over the years I or my party was reported overdue by family/friends, the result of unexpected snow storms. In both cases elaborate S&R operations had been set off before our walk-out could turn them off. Had we had a radio, the rescues would never have started.
In closing I cannot fail to mention that some, or perhaps a lot of people, are turned-off, even deeply offended, by the non-critical use of ham radios/telephones in the wilderness. Clearly, the feelings of these people need to be recognized and accommodated. If this is seen as a problem on an outing, then surely the radio operator who wants to check the capability of his/her device can be directed to do so out of sight and sound of those who may be bothered. We have controversies enough without needlessly generating another by the careless or inappropriate or insensitive use of ham radios in the wilderness.
Late Update: Recently, on both a private climb of a DPS peak and on a SPS outing, Mark Adrian's use of his ham radio was instrumental in effecting a quick helicopter evacuation of a participant whose injury, while not life-threatening, was serious and very painful. P.S. The victims were different people. Mark Adrian, however, was the same person. Way to go, Mark!
