Missing Jeepers in VA

[IamPro2A]

I have been off-roading for almost 40yrs now, and this community in general is amazing. Jeeps, trucks, SxS, quads, whatever. We always come together.
Right now there are 4 men in a Wrangler and a Gladiator that were off-roading near Dayton, VA yesterday and have not returned or checked in.
I'm way too far away to do anything but watch, but the amount of people who have already been out looking all night long, and more coming from hours away is heartening. Hope these guys are found soon, with nothing worse than an amazing story about breaking down or getting stuck to tell when they get home.

EDIT: Literally just as I'm posting this they have been found!

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Any info on what happened to them?

 

[IamPro2A]

Any info on what happened to them?

No idea yet. Appears the original post with 800 comments has been deleted.
It also sounds like they were fine, not stuck or broken down, but the area has spotty cell coverage and even the sheriff dept radios had comm problems.
It also sounds like one of the wives *might* be a bit of a worry wort or control freak, so maybe they just wanted to have a guy's night out and had no idea that half of VA was out looking for them. Though if that was the case they just shoulda said "we'll be home tomorrow".

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

That does happen.
on the signal, comms are on the very long list of things to do. Too many projects to button up first.
Glad everything worked out for them though

 

[IamPro2A]

We have starlink satellite coverage on our phones. If I didn't have that, I would probably invest in a starlink mini because up here you can drive a long time with no cell coverage. Heck, we don't even get cell service at our house.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Im Just going GMRS. 3 db gain for regular trail use and I’ll get something larger 10+ db I can hook up for emergency use. I’m making ann assumption that something on the level will be able to reach repeaters and an 911 system. They monitor emergency freqs so it’s an option. Also intend on using this as a home system if we have a disaster type situation. My neighbor, San Andreas, can get pretty snarky every now and again.

 

[IamPro2A]

I have a 25w mobile GMRS in my SxS, and a similar ham/GMRS set up in my YJ. We also use handheld GMRS around the homestead. Like I said, we don't have cell service where I live, and in serious emergency out in a field it's a heck of a lot easier to push the talk button than to type out a txt message on the phone. It's also easy to loan the handhelds out on a group ride to people without radios. But in the mountains, all forms of terrestrial comms can be spotty. There are areas here I can drive 30+ miles without cell service. With the starlink, if I can see the sky I can probably get help or check in.

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