Ham radio operator helped in Logan Canyon emergency

[RockRacer]

This was obviously from earlier this month, but I thought it was pretty cool so I wanted to would post it up.

December 7th, 2009 @ 7:43am

LOGAN, Utah (AP) -- A North Logan man is being credited for his help after a truck crashed in a remote part of Logan Canyon.

Although there was no cell phone reception for miles, Brent Yeates had a hand-held amateur "ham" radio with him. Yeates called out for help after the dairy truck crashed and another ham operator heard it, then contacted emergency dispatchers.

The Utah Highway Patrol originally thought the call came from someone who had to drive to get a cell phone signal after the accident last week.

Yeates says once he waded through the cold water of the Logan River and helped the driver get out of the cab, he was able to make the call on his radio.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8940585

[AE6ZW]

I used to live in Logan Utah , Logan Canyon is surrounded by steep 8,000 feet mountains on both side, so cell phone coverage is bad. both Logan and Sardine canyon get icy in winter and a lot of accident happen there. I have stopped at accident seen, and used auto patch to call 911 several times myself. having repeaters at Logan peak, with auto patch help quite bit, since still able to make a call even no one is monitoring the repeaters.