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/ ***************************************************************************
Geo. Bergeron wrote: > > VHF radios.[snip] 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, [snip] 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. Huh? Air traffic shold not be monitoring the marine freqs. > 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. George raises a sticky point. Three thoughts: 1. I think areas where people USE the VHF to convey their intentions (shipping channels, etc.) and/or there is an "ethic" of "help the other guy" are places where people will listen, and respond. Maritime communities are good places for that. It also helps to hail a boat by name (use binocs to pick the name off the bow). The average pleasure boater in metropolitan areas does not have his/her radio on -- not the ethic in metro areas. I would not expect to get a response on 16 in Portland (or any other metro area) *unless I Maydayed.* Then I think I'd get the USCG up right away. I know down here the USCG typically does not respond to random squawks on 16 -- they're trying to keep 16 clean for emergency use and hailing. (Ch 9 is also used for hailing down here, I think. In some parts of coastal BC, Ch 6 is informally designated as the local hailing channel. YMMV.) "Radio checks" are not supposed to occur on 16. 2. In the past year, I've taken to monitoring 16 and the local hailing channel when I'm out touring. (Monitoring 16 is not required for my vessel.) I don't like the noise, but if I expect someone to hear me when I need help, I'd better listen for someone who needs help from me, no? It's a two-way street, and I can't expect to just use the radio to summon help when I need it. I have an ethical responsibility to be part of the "safety net" for others. In some "remote" areas of the coast of Vancouver Island, the most numerous radio-carriers, might be sea kayakers. Doesn't do anybody any good if all the radios are off except when one yakker turns his/hers on to call for help, does it? 3. For a synopsis of channel usage in the Pacific Northwest (including BC), send an SASE to the North Pacific Marine Radio Council, 11410 NE 122nd Way, Suite 312, Kirkland, WA 98034 (FAX 206-820-0126), listed as "Dedicated to Improvement of the Maritime Mobile Service." Their trifold pamphlet details changes in hailing channels and the addition of channel 67 in the Puget Sound / Straits of Juan de Fuca area for commercial/noncommercial traffic. There is a really handy summary of Marine Operator channels BY LOCATION for WA, OR, AK, and BC, as well as a summary of the procedures for accessing marine ops in BC. Finally, the last part lists WX 1 through 4 BY LOCATION. I laminated mine in plastic and stuck it in my chart case. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:40 PM 2/28/98 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote: >> On the other hand, [snip] 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. > >Huh? Air traffic shold not be monitoring the marine freqs. I get the impression that channel 16 is used by CB, aviation, sheriffs, truckers. . . I know that it's used by truckers and CB --along with channel 9. And I got the message somewhere that you make contact on 16 and then move off to another channel. Any boat I've ever talked to I called up on 16 and then moved to another channel. I get radio traffic on Mt. Hood with my VHF. . . not river traffic or marine. But I've got 90 some channels local and international that I can monitor, not necessarily broadcast on. > >George raises a sticky point. Three thoughts: > >1. I think areas where people USE the VHF to convey their intentions >(shipping channels, etc.) and/or there is an "ethic" of "help the other >guy" are places where people will listen, and respond. Maritime >communities are good places for that. It also helps to hail a boat by >name (use binocs to pick the name off the bow). The average pleasure >boater in metropolitan areas does not have his/her radio on -- not the >ethic in metro areas. I would not expect to get a response on 16 in >Portland (or any other metro area) *unless I Maydayed.* Then I think >I'd get the USCG up right away. I know down here the USCG typically >does not respond to random squawks on 16 -- they're trying to keep 16 >clean for emergency use and hailing. (Ch 9 is also used for hailing >down here, I think. In some parts of coastal BC, Ch 6 is informally >designated as the local hailing channel. YMMV.) "Radio checks" are not >supposed to occur on 16. A scan of the traffic generally turns up a local "chat channel" that is fairly busy. Although lots of times I find that I can pick up the transmission, but they don't hear me. I would expect the Multnomah Co. Sheriff's River Patrol to respond to the inquiry, "Is there a monitor on 16?" just to let someone (like a solo kayaker on the Willamette or Columbia) know that there's someone who can be contacted on the radio. I'd like to know that there's someone out there on the other end of the emergency channel who might hear me. . . BEFORE I need to ask for help. I know there are relay transmitters all along the Willamette and Columbia so that getting out of range is unlikely. In the summer when boats are bow to stern on the river, I KNOW there are radios being monitored. In the winter when the river is pretty deserted I'm not confident that my call for help is going to be heard by anyone. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:41 PM 2/28/98 -0800, Geo. Bergeron wrote: > VHF radios. . . > > 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. > > 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. There was a newsletter article I saw maybe 3 or 4 years ago in, I think, the MASK Club (New York City) publication (Ralph D might remember it). They were discussing radios such as above vs. cell phones. I remember it as article contributors concluded that radios were broadband, but maybe no one is listening, and cell phones were narrow band, but dial a number (Coastguard, police, etc.) and there's almost always someone at the other end. If you aren't in cellrange carry the radio, but carry the cell phone anyway unless you *know* you will never be in range. Hank Hays *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Hank Hays wrote: > > > There was a newsletter article I saw maybe 3 or 4 years ago in, I think, > the MASK Club (New York City) publication (Ralph D might remember it). > They were discussing radios such as above vs. cell phones. I remember it > as article contributors concluded that radios were broadband, but maybe no > one is listening, and cell phones were narrow band, but dial a number > (Coastguard, police, etc.) and there's almost always someone at the other > end. If you aren't in cellrange carry the radio, but carry the cell phone > anyway unless you *know* you will never be in range. > > Hank Hays MASK hates my guts, so I never see any of what they write. But I did make exactly that observation, I think in a letter to Sea Kayaker about four or five years ago. It was based on the experience of someone I know who saw a boating accident (not involving canoes or kayaks), tried raising anyone on his marine radio with no success. Then he took out his cell phone (this was years ago, BTW, so not as much chance of reaching anyone as now), dialed 911 and had rescue on the scene in a jiffy. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
[snip] >There was a newsletter article I saw maybe 3 or 4 years ago in, I think, >the MASK Club (New York City) publication (Ralph D might remember it). >They were discussing radios such as above vs. cell phones. I remember it >as article contributors concluded that radios were broadband, but maybe no >one is listening, and cell phones were narrow band, but dial a number >(Coastguard, police, etc.) and there's almost always someone at the other >end. If you aren't in cellrange carry the radio, but carry the cell phone >anyway unless you *know* you will never be in range. > >Hank Hays > Yesterday, after my wife and I took our kayaks out of the Chattahoochee and I drove away to scout for another takeout downstream, she saw a canoe overturn while trying to turn into the takeout. After helping one paddler out of the river, she ran downstream and found the second paddler holding onto a tree separated from the bank by a 15' channel of fast water (there has been a very long dam release from Buford Dam and the river has been high and turbulent). He said he didn't think he could get to shore (cold, banged up, and drank some river water) and needed her to call 911, so she ran back to our boats and got out the cell phone that was behind her seat. The fire department pulled him out with a rope. On another local river, according to the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, a whitewater kayaker drowned when he capsized while showing his girlfriend how to paddle upstream. No helmet, no PFD. Ron Ron Johnson = rfred_at_mindspring.com "How every fool can play upon the word!" W. Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
CELLULAR TELEPHONES ON BOATS The Coast Guard does not advocate cellular phones as a substitute for the regular maritime radio distress and safety systems recognized by the Federal Communications Commission and the International Radio Regulations -- particularly VHF maritime radio. However, cellular phones can have a place on board as an added measure of safety. CELLULAR PHONE LIMITATIONS IN AN EMERGENCY o Cellular phones generally cannot provide ship to ship safety communications or communications with rescue vessels. If you make a distress call on a cellular phone, only the one party you call will be able to hear you. o Most cellular phones are designed for a land-based service. Their coverage offshore is limited, and may change without notice. o Locating a cellular caller is hard to do. If you don't know precisely where you are, the Coast Guard will have difficulty finding your location on the water. Note: In some areas, however, cellular providers have established a special code (*CG) which, if you are in range, will connect you directly to a Coast Guard Operations Center. This service may only work with the carrier to which you have subscribed. CELLULAR/VHF MARINE RADIO COMPARISON Cellular phones do provide the convenience of simple, easy-to-use, inexpensive, private and generally reliable telephone service to home, office, automobile or other locations. Placing a shore-to-ship call to someone with a cellular telephone is especially convenient. However, you cannot use your cellular phone outside the United States, and you may need a special agreement with your carrier to use it outside that carrier's local service area. VHF marine radios were designed with safety in mind. If you are in distress, calls can be received not only by the Coast Guard but by ships which may be in position to give immediate assistance. A VHF marine radio also helps ensure that storm warnings and other urgent marine information broadcasts are received. The Coast Guard announces these broadcasts on VHF channel 16. Timely receipt of such information may save your life. Additionally, your VHF marine radio can be used anywhere in the United States or around the world. On VHF radios, however, conversations are not private and individual boats cannot be assigned a personal phone number. If you are expecting a call, channel 16 or the marine operator's working channel must be continually monitored. SHOULD YOU RELY ON A CELLULAR PHONE EXCLUSIVELY? Actually there is no comparison between cellular phones and VHF marine radio. They normally provide different services. The cellular phone is best used for what it is, an on board telephone -- a link with shore based telephones. A VHF marine radio is intended for communication with other ships or marine installations -- and a powerful ally in time of emergency. If you have a portable or hand held cellular telephone, by all means take it aboard. If you are boating very far off shore, a cellular phone is no substitute for a VHF radio. But, if you are within cellular range, it may provide an additional means of communication. -------------- Fact Sheet # 24 January 1994 Coast Guard Consumer Fact Sheets are not copyrighted. They may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. For further information contact the Coast Guard Consumer Affairs and Analysis Branch -- 1-800- > >There was a newsletter article I saw maybe 3 or 4 years ago in, I think, >the MASK Club (New York City) publication (Ralph D might remember it). >They were discussing radios such as above vs. cell phones. I remember it >as article contributors concluded that radios were broadband, but maybe no >one is listening, and cell phones were narrow band, but dial a number >(Coastguard, police, etc.) and there's almost always someone at the other >end. If you aren't in cellrange carry the radio, but carry the cell phone >anyway unless you *know* you will never be in range. > >Hank Hays > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 98-03-01 11:22:50 EST, lhays_at_canby.com writes: << If you aren't in cellrange carry the radio, but carry the cell phone anyway unless you *know* you will never be in range. >> Couldn't agree more Hank! I carry both but use the cell phone 98% of the time. I also have a sailboat and the VHF channel monitoring is sketchy at best. The commercial channels and bridge tending channels are the only ones I have consistently been able to get responses on. 16 sometimes, but not always. Steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
You have to be careful dialing 911. If you are out of your area code you will get the 911 office in your code. If I'm in the San Juan's and dial 911 I get connected to Portland! No good! I carry all the emergency numbers in my cell phone drybox and don't depend on 911. steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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