VHF radios. . . Mine ran $250, not $100, and I like to think there's someone on the other end monitoring broadcasts when I'm paddling in coastal areas. There's been paddle expeditions where I've been listening to radio traffic and find the band pretty busy. Astoria is one such area. On the other hand, I've been sitting at the dock of the Mult. County Sheriff River Patrol in downtown Portland (Willamette) and squawked just to see if the channel was open and got nothing. There's also been times when I've squawked the radio right next to the Portland International Airport with airplanes and river traffic in abundant evidence. . . nothing. One day the Spirit of Portland was coming up the Willamette in downtown Portland (commercial tour boat) and I asked the captain if he needed space to turn about. That day I got a response. So, I'm skeptical that the radio I carry is going to bail me out when I need it. It's nice to have a weather report, and the option of calling for help rather than being without a radio altogether. But there's been too many days when no one is listening --despite the fact that bigger boats need to monitor the radio when underway. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Feb 28 1998 - 20:41:56 PST
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