Tahoe Backcountry Radio

COMMUNITY MEETING

29 September 2025

Agenda

• What is Backcountry Community Radio
• Implementation plan
• Guest Speakers
• Matt Steen, creator of the backcountry community radio concept in Telluride 2016
• Justin Davis, community radio in Snoqualamie Pass 2021
• Q&A
• Detailed zone discussions

Objective

Define and publicize a Backcountry �Community Radio Program for the Tahoe Area

The Problem

Family Radio Service (FRS) radios are popular ways to communicate:

• Available from multiple vendors (Rocky Talkie, BCA, Motorola)
• RT 5 watt, BCA mini Link, RT Mountain Radio
• Low cost (~$100)
• Range 2-5miles
• 22 channels + privacy codes
• No license required

But…

• No standardized channels (“calling channel”)
• Not monitored by Search and Rescue or Law Enforcement
• Cannot easily communicate with nearby groups

How Does it Work?

• We define “Zones” at popular backcountry areas around Lake Tahoe
• Each zone is assigned an FRS radio channel (frequency) and privacy code
• Adjacent zones use different channels
• All other areas use a common channel: 5-30
• Online Zone Map and Trailhead signs post the assigned channel and privacy code
• Backcountry users communicate with others in the same zone

How to Use Backcountry Radio

Examples of standard usage between groups:

• Sharing potential hazards
• Entering complex terrain
• When clear of a given line or area

Examples for emergency situations:

• Send a distress call for assistance in case of an accident
• Request another group to call 911 if without service

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Guidelines for Zones

• Backcountry zones should:
• Be on public lands.
• Boundaries preferably use natural features, like ridges, or highways.
• Not include established commercial ski areas.
• Have at least one established winter trailhead.
• Zone names should be easily identifiable to users.
• Maximum size for a zone should be 3-5 miles.
• Zones should have sufficient usage. Other areas can use the regional 5-30 channel.
• Signed trailheads should be established (legal, plowed in the winter, signed).

Link to Detailed Guidelines

Proposed Zones

https://tahoebackcountryradio.org/map

Survey Results

• 70 Respondents 40% have heard of it
• Backcountry ski days
• Median 10 & 30-40
• Average 29
• Volunteers
• Zone definitions 32
• Trail stewards > 20 days/yr 12
• Avalanche educators 10
• Retailers 5

Where do you ski most often in the Lake Tahoe region?

Survey Responses

In the backcountry, I usually ski...

What type of user are you?

25%Have no one to talk to on radio

The Plan

August

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Launch website

Press coverage

Community survey

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September

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Community Meetings

Branding

Finalize zones

Trailhead stewards

October

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Produce stickers, brochures & signs

Educational outreach

Recruit retailers

November

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Install trail signs

California Avalanche Workshop

Mountainfilm

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Community Awareness Strategy

Trailhead Signs

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Community Partnership

Community Organizations

Avalanche Educators �

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Website, Brochures, &�Stickers

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Trailhead Signs

• 22 Zones with approximately 32 trailheads
• 8” square sign attached to PVC signpost
• Channel number and privacy code
• QR code links to more information

How YOU Can Help!

• Provide feedback on Zone Map
• Volunteer as a trail steward
• Buy a radio!
• Share with your friends!

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Trailhead Stewards

• Trailhead Stewards volunteer to install, maintain and remove signs at specific trailheads
• Be an advocate for Tahoe Backcountry Radio
• Be the eyes and ears of the program!
• Trailhead check in to report sign condition and usage

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Resources

• TahoeBackcountryRadio.org website
• Community Meeting Presentation
• TBR Zone Guidelines
• Proposed Zones Map
• GeoJSON (to import to other map apps)
• TBR Zones and Trailheads List

Q & A

Channel Numbering

• Proposed channel numbering has an unused (group) channel adjacent to a community channel to make it easy to switch between group and community channels on radios without presets or dual channel
• Mountain Radio remembers preset privacy code when toggling between channels
• Changing privacy codes requires multiple key presses

Thanks!

For more information, contact

Jamie Morgan

Jamie@TahoeBackcountryRadio.org