52
votes
Accepted
How do you aim a signal mirror?
How I've practiced is I hold my left hand palm out, and I create a "V" between my ring and middle fingers with the plane or person between my fingers. I then hold the mirror by my face and shine the ...
- 600
26
votes
How do you aim a signal mirror?
A modern (Korean War era and later, at least) signal mirror has a hole in the center, and the hole is surrounded by a grid of retroreflectors. You aim the mirror spot at something close by, then look ...
- 361
20
votes
What is the risk of starting a forest or wildland fire with a flare gun?
There is a definitely a risk of starting a fire with a flare gun, for this reason they are discouraged by the National Park Service (at least in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument).
Not Useful:
...
- 69.4k
20
votes
How do you aim a signal mirror?
This answer applies only to signal mirrors which are two-sided and have an aiming hole in the middle, which should be the case with any good signal mirror. My answer will partially duplicate a prior, ...
- 5,188
18
votes
Accepted
How do you wave off a search and rescue helicopter?
Charles Brumbaugh's answer is correct if a helicopter rescue is underway and you need to warn an approaching helicopter that it should abort the approach due to some problem you have spotted. (From ...
- 6,005
15
votes
How do you aim a signal mirror?
Your signal mirror is likely polished on both sides, with a hole in the middle to help you aim it. Although the principle is simple, it's fiddly and takes a little practice.
With the mirror in ...
- 4,799
11
votes
Accepted
Garmin inReach vs. overcast sky
Iridium uses radio frequencies around 1.6 GHz or 18.75cm wavelength.
Atmospheric absorption at these frequencies is very low:
Clouds contain water droplets, though. So, let's have a look at rain ...
- 381
10
votes
Accepted
Are there standard whistle signals for communicating with separated party members?
From Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts
Whistle Signals
One blast, "Attention"; "Assemble" (if scattered).
Two short blasts, "All right."
Four ...
- 69.4k
8
votes
How do you wave off a search and rescue helicopter?
There used to be an article on the homepage of the Austrian mountain rescue service concerning behaviour during helicopter rescues, originally published in Berg und Steigen 3/02 (a professional ...
- 1,629
7
votes
How do you aim a signal mirror?
The sun isn't a laser, so you don't actually have to be very accurate.
The further away your target is, the less accurate you have to be as the reflection will spread.
- 171
6
votes
Accepted
Is there a safer way to use a flare in a wooded area?
I would say that the alternatives in the the answers to the linked question would be a better idea, but if you had to use a flare then there are a couple of things that could lessen but not eliminate ...
- 69.4k
6
votes
What is the risk of starting a forest or wildland fire with a flare gun?
Flares ignite at 191 °C (376 °F) and burn as hot as 1,600 °C (2,900 °F). This makes them incredibly dangerous since they are well above the ignition temperature of most flammables found in a forest or ...
- 161
5
votes
What would happen if I use a USA (GMRS/FRS) two-way radio in Europe?
Personal radio devices in Europe use a different frequency (446 Mhz). According to a quick google search the frequency range of GMRS/FRS (462-467 Mhz) is used by fire brigades in UK, police in Russia ...
- 366
5
votes
What are the consequences of — illegally — using a 446 MHz PMR in the North American wilderness?
I am an amateur radio operator (Extra Class) active in Skywarn. Yes, PMR radios transmit in the amateur radio spectrum in Canada and the U.S. Yes, it is not legal. In the wilderness, far away from ...
- 51
5
votes
Are there sound-based alternatives to whistle signals for group communication?
I'm sure this isn't what you were shooting for but using radios, satellite phones, cell phones, etc. would all count because they transmit the "noise" of your voice to your target where it is ...
- 9,648
5
votes
Are there sound-based alternatives to whistle signals for group communication?
Percussion
Drums have been used historically to communicate over long distances in forested areas, so you could send messages simply by knocking on wood. Pick up a couple of hard sticks, and knock ...
- 53.7k
5
votes
Are there standard whistle signals for communicating with separated party members?
If anyone has hiked in the woods knows that noise may not travel very far, especially in dense forested areas. So the use of any whistle would imply that group members should be relatively close ...
- 9,609
5
votes
Are there standard whistle signals for communicating with separated party members?
Beyond the previously mentioned Scouting communication guidelines, Morse Code is definitely an option. However, Morse code isn't as widely known anymore and could potentially be misinterpreted as a ...
- 430
5
votes
Accepted
Do Garmin InReach plans include unlimited incoming messages?
Incoming messages count against the limit of text messages.
Yes, any message sent back to your inReach device, including replies to preset messages, count against your monthly message allotment.
...
- 69.4k
5
votes
How do I send a "test message" with a Garmin InReach Mini 2?
You can read how to test all their devices on their website.
For your Mini 2 specifically:
Power on the inReach.
Press OK.
Select Service Plan.
Select Test Service.
Press OK.
Press OK again to begin ...
- 4,073
4
votes
Are there standard whistle signals for communicating with separated party members?
The nice thing about standards is that you have so many to choose from. - Andrew S. Tanenbaum
While there are standards you and your companions need to know and agree upon what that standard is prior ...
- 1,317
4
votes
Are there sound-based alternatives to whistle signals for group communication?
I spent a summer with two brothers from the Dominican Republic and they would call out to each other with a loud howl-like "FOOOOOOOOOOOO" sound that carried very well through fields, forests, and ...
- 4,013
4
votes
How best to hold/aim a Garmin InReach for satellite messaging?
I know this is an old question, but at least for the Garmin Inreach Mini 2, the manual is explicit:
Iridium Satellite Network Your device requires a clear view of the sky
to transmit messages and ...
4
votes
Can you use an Iridium phone with a SIM but with no active plan to place an emergency call?
I looked at some different plans and it looks like you could buy a prepaid plan and not activate it for up to 2 years. See the pricing here.
However that seems like the really expensive option.
...
- 69.4k
4
votes
How best to hold/aim a Garmin InReach for satellite messaging?
next to a small river so I could step out into the clear to get at least some view of the sky
That's really the bare minimum for good signal. This will have much more impact than how you hold it. If ...
- 5,065
4
votes
Garmin inReach vs. overcast sky
I have an inReach and have used it in all sorts of conditions and terrain. Overcast weather is not a problem but a reflective tarp or deep canyons can be.
If a message fails to get through the device ...
- 69.4k
3
votes
How best to hold/aim a Garmin InReach for satellite messaging?
As I cannot find the exact specs of the type of antenna they use I can only speculate.
My guess is that the antenna is either unidirectional or placed along the length axis of the device.
If the ...
- 1,970
3
votes
Can you use an Iridium phone with a SIM but with no active plan to place an emergency call?
Iridium Sims
Iridium currently offer a very basic entry-level Emergency Plan for $25 a month, which suggests that you will not get any emergency facilities without an active plan.
You don't say what ...
- 11.8k
3
votes
What range should I expect for a reasonable set of walkie-talkies / two-way radio?
The range is tremendously dependent on the terrain, especially since you say "mountains". While walkie talkies can be useful for hiking you can never count on them other than in pretty flat,...
- 2,334
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible