If anyone is listening nearby, CB, FRS radios work too, no license needed.

 

FRS range is completely insufficient, only a few miles, especially in mountainous terrain. CB is not much better. The output power is limited to a few Watts for both. FRS radios allow built in antennae (rubber duck in hand held) only. In contrast, with a HAM license you can transmit with up to 1500W in most bands (only a few have limitations). You can also install different antenna types to your radio, increasing range and sensitivity. Many HAM amateurs operate repeaters, which increases your range and chance to be heard.

 

OK, I did some research. Sprint has a mobile unit of their "magic box". It does in fact attach to your drone to travel skyward to the height of around 400 feet. This would solve any problem within a mountainous range. Cheaper than a satelitte phone subscription. Again, this system would give an overlander more confidence. AT&T and others have their own as well. Very high tech, if you ask me.

 

This won't help you much. This magic box weighs 7.7lbs and needs a 12V/5A power supply, so it would require quite a big drone. Then range is limited to 100m(300ft). It would be easier to climb up such a short distance with your phone, but, I guess, 300ft won't help you much in most situations.

 

Discorama, Sprint makes a mobile magic box for drones. Battery operated.

 

Sure, you can run that on batteries, but I don't understand why that would help given the short range this box provides.

 

@Tomzsix I think if you are that concerned you need to look at options like sat phones and Personal Locator beacons.

I travel solo a lot in SW BC and I am generally out of cell range, this is my system

• I have route plan on map and my wife has a copy
• VHF radio with APRS - this sends my location whenever it can hit an internet gateway
• I call or text in - every time I get gas or happen to get a cell signal with my location and any route changes
• I carry a weeks worth of food and some bottled water (boil in bag stuff mostly) does not get used it is the emergency kit
• I have a handheld VHF radio that I can set to 146.40 the sort of standard 4x4 Freq up here

If I breakdown, get injured or can not drive for some reason I wait - if she has not heard from me in 48 hours by any means she alerts the authorities gives them my route plan and last known position.

Not perfect if I have a major medical emergency requiring aid right now I am likely in major trouble and may not survive, but that would be true even if I made contact with someone - most I places I travel are at least a couple or more hours away from help.

But I am kinda of a que sera sera sort of person