C. J. Clegg wrote:

On Sat, 01 Jan 2005 09:03:26 -0500, Roy Smith wrote:

Or, are you talking about being able to stay in touch with your aircraft
no matter where it is? If so, you probably want to look at ARINC...

Good evening, Roy.

Actually, the main objective is to be able to contact the plane within
50 or 75 miles of base. But, I'll look at that ARINC. Might have
definite possibilities.

For those who suggested a cell phone, believe me I'd love to be able
to do it, but it ain't legal (it's against FCC rules), and anyway, it
doesn't work very well more than a few thousand feet above ground
because the cellular antennas are designed to keep all radiation down
low.

CJ

Well, CJ, I wouldn't want you to pass up a good thing because of
incorrect info so perhaps you should check out about this
'illegal' thing. They have cell phones installed in the seat
backs of some commercial airliners for the use of passengers
(I've seen them but haven't used one) so they sure aren't
illegal,

I believe that they use a different tower/receiver plan setup
specifically designed for long range (high) cell phones.

I'm quite familiar with VHF/HF aeronautical radios and I cannot
imagine anything handier for what you propose than cel phones.
--

-Gord.
(use gordon in email)