I was stranded in the mountains of Pennsylvania after slipping off a ledge while tracking a wounded whitetail buck. I had managed to retreive my hunting gear and HT, but the worst was yet to come. My leg had been broken in the fall and the nearest hunting buddy was at least 3 miles due north up the side of Elk mountain.

Don't panic, keep calm, I kept telling myself. Calm down and you'll make it out of here. All right then...think positive. It's easy walking downhill, and there are a few more hours of daylight. I have a radio and a gun and hopefully I'll run across a hunter who is a doctor.

I cracked a wry grin. Well, three out of four is not bad. First things first...let's see here... I can use the radio to call for help on 146.655.

"EMERGENCY.....EMERGENCY.....EMERGENCY....." I spoke into the radio. There was a moment of static, then I heard a reply.

"Shhhhhhhhh...acknowledged.....this is KB3ANG. What is the nature of your emergency?"

"I am a hunter...I have fallen and have a broken leg...do you copy?"

The static sounded again. "Shhhhhhhhhhhhh...This is KB3ANG...your signal is barely readable. Only occasional words are distinguishable...faint signal...I repeat, faint signal....shhhhhhhhhhhh..."

The static rushed through the HT again, and then the airwaves went silent. What can I do? I thought grimly.

You decide to:

1. Try to contact KB3ANG again.
2. Give up on the radio and try to find help another way.
3. Do something else.
4. Do something other than that.