Top 7 Emergency Communication Devices for Overlanding

My wife and I often travel alone and enjoy exploring remote areas, often out of cell phone range. If an emergency were ever to occur, we would be in a bad situation. That’s especially true if one of us was incapable of driving the other back to civilization; or if our 4Runner broke down and we could not make the trek back on foot.

If you travel alone or in a single vehicle, below is a list of emergency communication devices you should consider whenever you hit the trails.

1. Portable Cell Phone Battery

Nearly every adult carries a cell phone today. If your travels never extend out of cell phone range, then a cell phone may be all you need. However, even with a cell phone, you should carry a small backup battery.

My wife and I carry one for each of our cell phones. We do this because, in remote areas, your cell phone battery will dissipate quickly if it’s constantly searching for a good signal. We also use our cell phones to take pictures. This also uses battery power, especially if your phone automatically connects to online storage. These activities can drain your battery quickly, so backup power is always a good idea.

Find It Online: 

• Anker Portable Battery Charger (all devices): Check Price
• Apple Wireless charger battery pack (IOS devices): Check Price

2. Cell Phone Booster Kit

With this kit, you can extend your cell signal range from your vehicle. A cell signal booster kit will not improve the signal from the cell tower; it will only boost your own cell phone signal.

The device is installed in your vehicle and boosts your cell phone signal for a better chance of connecting to a cell tower that may be slightly out of range otherwise. Booster kits can cost from $150 to $500, with the price based on range capabilities and the number of users they can support. WeBoost is currently considered one of the best manufacturers in this category.

Find It Online: 

• WeBoost Cell Phone Booster Kit: Check Price

3. Ham Radio & GMRS Radio

While the devices above help if you still have a cell signal, what about when you’re totally out of range?

I have both a Ham and a GMRS license, which can be obtained through the FCC. A Ham license requires that you take a test, while a GMRS license does not.

I have a pair of GMRS radios excellent for vehicle-to-vehicle communications when traveling with others. They don’t require a cell signal, which makes them a better option than cell phones.

GMRS radios can reach as far as 35 miles, but a few miles are more reasonable. This is due to signal disturbance over terrain. Mobile Ham radios, on the other hand, have more signal strength than GMRS radios. However, both types of radios must be within reach of another party; either directly or through a repeater.

Having said that, neither a Ham nor a GMRS radio is ideal for emergency communication when traveling in remote areas. While both serve their intended purpose well, someone still needs to be within reach on the other end. That means they are not much better than cell phones in more remote areas.

If you are interested in vehicle-to-vehicle communications, my GMRS radio of choice is the Midland T290VP4 X-Talker. It is compact and the two radios fit neatly inside my 4Runner center console.

If you are interested in a GMRS license, it costs $35.00 and is good for 10 years. It can be obtained through the FCC.

Find It Online: 

• Midland X-Talker Radio: Check Price

4. Satellite Phone

A satellite phone is, as its name implies, a phone that transmits and receives calls via orbiting satellites.

For most people, a satellite phone is not practical for one reason alone—cost. A satellite phone will cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500+, and then you have to add on the usage cost of about $0.50 per minute. For most people who are only occasionally out of cell phone coverage, the cost is a significant barrier.

These phones are typically used by serious hikers, mountain climbers, and other world travelers who want to stay in contact with family or need help. If you intend to travel to isolated areas for more than a few days, or travel a great deal in foreign countries, you may need a satellite phone.

Find It Online: 

• Satellite Phones Check Price

5. Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

A PLB is a device with but one purpose: to notify local search & rescue agencies, local law enforcement, or any other agency in your area that handles emergencies. PLBs are what many boaters carry, as they will notify the coast guard of their location and that help is needed.

SARSAT stands for Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking. PLBs make use of the government satellite network.

The upsides of a PLB are:

• A one-time fixed cost.
• There is no fee for registering the device.
• The battery in the PLB remains dormant until the unit is activated.
• This is the most economical solution for emergency communication, as there are no subscription fees.

The downsides of a PLB are:

• A PLB does not provide the ability to send a detailed message to emergency agencies or other individuals.
• The unit must be registered in the NOAA SARSAT database, and you must update or verify your data every two years.
• The battery lasts about 5 years and must be changed by a dealer because the unit uses a specialized battery.
• Some PLBs offer messaging, but an additional fee is required.

Find It Online: 

• Personal Locator Beacons: Check Price

6. Satellite Messengers

Like a satellite phone, satellite messengers use orbiting satellites to send and receive text-style messages. Some units also provide SOS services. However, unlike PLBs that use government satellites, satellite messengers use one of two commercial satellite networks: Iridium or Globalstar. Satellite messengers are becoming increasingly popular for a few reasons.

The upsides of a PLB are:

• In addition to contacting emergency services, you can send customized messages to family, friends, or, for instance, an off-road recovery company.
• The units are relatively small, and prices for them have dropped significantly since they were initially introduced.
• While you must subscribe to a service, several popular services allow you to suspend the monthly service fee when you are not using it.
• They offer more flexibility over a PLB-only device.

The downsides of a PLB are:

• All companies require a recurring service fee of some type.

Find It Online:

• Garmin inReach Mini 2: Check Price

7. SpotX Messenger

My emergency communication device of choice is the SpotX messenger pictured above.

• The cost of the unit is $200.
• There is a one-time activation fee of $30.00.
• I utilize the Flex Basic plan, which includes 20 custom messages, tracking, and unlimited SOS calls.
• I pay a flex charge of $35 annually, which enables me to pay for the service only during the months I use it.
• The monthly service fee is $15.00

With this fee structure, I pay $35.00 each year. If I travel for 3 months out of the year, I would pay another $45.00, for a total of $80.00 annually. I can rest easy knowing that I can contact emergency services and my family should I ever be stranded or need medical help.

Final Thoughts

If you are budget-minded and only want the ability to contact emergency services when needed, then the most economical route is a PLB. If you elect to go this route, be sure to know where you can send the unit and the cost to replace the battery. Also, don’t forget to update your information in the registry every two years.

A solid emergency communication device can quite literally be the difference between life and death, so I hope I helped differentiate the various types currently available.

Safe Travels!