Question for "Sourdough" or any other Alaskans...

[GatCat]

Hi, I have a quick question for you folks..a guy I work with, about 55, is driving from here (Washington)  to Alaska, with his wife. Traveling with them will be another couple, in another rig. My friends wife is a bit edgy, she would like some way of communicatingi wtih the other couple if they get a few miles apart. Cell-phone stores say there are many "dead spots" with no reception up your way. What kind of range can they expect with good CB radio's? Any brand suggestion?
About 10 years years ago my youngest son ( 12 at the time ) and I drove from Washington, up to Prudoe, and all over in a beat-up '68 Chev Van, had a gread time. But, I'm asking looking at my friends wife perspective. They leave in a couple of days, and I think she has last minute jitters. Thanks for any info. You folks truly live in a special part of the world!!
Mark

[Dixie Dude]

I am not an Alaskian, but have a co-worker who drove the Alaska Highway last summer to Alaska.  He said they went for at least 200 miles without cell phone access.  He said a CB radio was beneficial. 

[GRIMJIM]

I think a good cb is the way to go. You can keep in touch with the other car and in case of trouble have access to other motorists or police. If you use walkie talkies you can only contact each other.

[deltecs]

Cell phone coverage has increased substantially in the last 3 years along the AlCan and in Alaska.  Admittedly, there are still areas of blank coverage with quite a few miles between.  A cell phone with the addtion of a good CB and antenna would compliment each other nicely.  Be sure your cell provider has reciprocal cell phone agreements with ATT, GCI, and ACS.  This would cover most of the cell areas by the providers.

[GatCat]

Thanks for the responses, I passed the info along to the fellow who will be going.
Mark

[Graybeard]

FRS radios have far more range and clarity than CBs. I gave up CBs many years ago in favor of them. No comparison.

[corbanzo]

How far apart are they planning on getting?  In all reality, if they are driving up together, they shouldn't be more than 1/2 a mile apart at any time in the first place.  I would say a cheap couple of walkie talkies would get them by fine.

And even though phones have gotten a lot better... I know that between here and anchorage, there is about 55 miles out of 127 miles that phones actually work, and that is probably a generous guess.

On our road trips, we use our hunting radios (five mile range) and have never gotten too far apart, even with four or five vehicle caravans to cause us any troubles.  I think they were only $35 a set. 

Any any type of radio can have trouble here, with the shape of the mountains, they can cut between signals even when people are fairly close.  In all reality, if they are really worried about it, they can get GPS radios which show the location of the other GPS unit in real time, with the line of sight radio function.  You are talking about spending $500-800 I belive for a set of those... but if they are really worried about it....

[Dand]

good answers Corb.  I live off the road system but got a bit of road time in early June when we drove from Fairbanks to Homer then back to Anchorage just to show the boys some country. Bought a Trac phone at Fred Meyer.  It worked and was handy a couple time especially in the bigger towns, but there are big dead spots.  But I barely know how to use a cell phone.

Just makes me wonder how my dad managed to drive up from Washington, solo in November of '47.  No studs, no phones or gas stations for 100's of  miles (the old fashioned phones), no fuel injected computerized cars, no GPS, no radial tires.  Shoot the highways I drove this time seemed so populated its hard for me to recognize some sections compared to when I was going to college in the '70's, and harder yet to feel too worried about a need for communication.

Still, I have to agree situations can arise where good communications are nice to have. Hope the lady doesn't get intimidated - should be a wonderful drive this time of year.  Relax and enjoy the adventure.

[Sourdough]

When the wife and I drive seperately up the highway (Alcan) we use CBs.  We tried the little hand held radios, but they don't have that much range and when in the mountains they don't reach anywhere.  Our CBs can usually reach to about five miles in most terrain.  On the flat plains they reach farther.  Also it is easy to get seperated along the Alcan.  You can be traveling along 300 yards apart, then a local pulls out between you.  You're in an area where you can't pass and the local is only traveling 35 to 45 Mph.  Meanwhile the other rig is unaware of your plight and continues on at 55 mph, leaving you way behind.  And a hundred other scenerios that can seperate you.  It's nice to be able to communicate.

One suggestion  By all means get a MILEPOST!!!!!!!!!!!  Then at the beginning of each day set up locations to meet up ahead in the event you get separated.   

[GatCat]

Thanks for the replys.They are well on their way now, I'm sure they will have a great time. Yep, they bought the Milepost, it was handy for me when I made my trip.It'll be interesting to hear his stories in a month when he gets back.
Mark