Re: [Paddlewise] Roger, Wilco. . .

Dave Kruger wrote:
> 
> Geo. Bergeron wrote:
> 
> (In response to the following:)
> 
> > >One expression in amateur radio is a dime on the antenna is worth a
> > >dollar on the radio. The rubber duckies used on VHF radios are
> > >usually terrible, and evena simple wire antenna hung from a tree would
> > >make a dramatic difference.  I'd suggest a Jpole or dipole (made from
> > >TV twin lead ) cut for around 160Mhz.
> 
> >         There's a lot of discussion flying about in this group about rubber
> > ducks, ham sticks, J-pole/Di-pole, ground plane, Mhz. . . and radios. [snip]
> > But this radio stuff has got me all Verschimmeinlich. How about some of you
> > radio types broadcasting on a band-width I can receive???
> 
> I'm with George on this one.  All this sexy stuff the HAM's on this list
> describe needs translation into the practical realm of a salt
> water-inundated, mobile VHF unit environment.  Here is what would help
> me:
> 
> 1. Reports from people who have been able to substantiate the range of
> the universally available 5W hand-held rubber ducky-antenna-equipped VHF
> marine radio.  (This is the type of unit 90% of VHF-equipped sea
> kayakers own and use.  Antenna modifications (even a telescoping whip)
> are a liability on the water, owing to the strong likelihood salt water
> will enter the radio and ruin it, unless the unit is completely enclosed
> in a *durable* plastic shroud.)  So who has tested these things *in the
> field* under the conditions sea kayakers would use a VHF?
> 
> A. In the yak, on the water, from yak-to-yak?
> 
> B. In the yak, from a yak to a power boat using the standard 8-foot
> mast?
> 
> C. On the beach, standing up, to either a yak on the water or a power
> boat with the 8-foot mast?
> 
> D. On the beach, standing up, to another similarly located and equipped
> VHF'er?
> 
> 2. Reports from people who have broadcast FROM THE BEACH using
> *simple-to-buy* (or simple-to-make), durable, *radio-safe* antenna
> variations which can extend the radio's range *significantly* -- the
> kind of use a "pinned down" group might make to let the USCG or the
> person holding their float plan know they are safe (or, have an injured
> party member needing medical evacuation).
> 
> As my contribution:
> 
> 1. A:  best I can document is about 3 miles, with some landform
> interference in my line-of-sight to the other yak. (I've had other times
> when I could not raise someone who was about 4 miles away.)
> 
> 1. B. No experience.
> 
> 1. C. I've gotten my 3W unit to make a usable, slightly broken
> transmission about 8 miles across mostly open water to a *land-based*
> 8-ft mast.
> 
> 1. D. I've gotten my 3W unit to make a usable transmission 4.5 miles
> across mostly open water (with only one 150 ft-tall intervening
> ridgelet).  The other guy had a 5W unit, and we agreed later the
> receptions were basically equivalent.  Another time, we tested 5W and 3W
> units, standing up, across a bay, and found good, usable transmissions
> at 3 and 5 miles, but NOTHING at 7 miles.  That surprised us. (We tried
> a whip on the 3W unit.  It did not change this -- we could not document
> any improvement in transmission with the whip.)
> 
> 2. I got no detectable improvement *in transmissions* using a whip
> adjusted to a length apropos for the marine VHF band.  I was warned, by
> the highly-regarded marine radio shop from which I bought my ICOM, that
> an incorrect antena configuration could *damage the radio.*  I own a
> commercially-made dipole on a 6-foot piece of coax which can be tuned to
> the marine VHF band, and hung vertically from a tree (or paddle, etc.).
> I think this should improve performance, but have not been able to test
> it yet.  A ham sent me some terrific plans for a "narrow beam" antenna
> I'd like to try out, but that will have to wait.
> 
> Others?
> --
> Dave Kruger
> Astoria, OR
> There is just a SMALL problem with what you have said.
 Unless I'm the only one out here that doesn't paddle on salt water, and 
is "still" trying to figure out how to get his rubber ducky equimped(sp?) 
marine VHF to talk over 3 or 4 miles on a regular basis, I think there is 
a lot that can be said and covered on radio and antenna's. If you speak 
for the rest of this group then I hope you have fun with all your 
experments with the rubber ducks, marine VHF, and cell phones! I think 
"ALL" have a place, but lets be reasonable, there is a limit to each and 
talking about other ways should not stir up so much negative responces..
HAM radio may not be for everybody, but the fact of the mater is that the 
HAMS have a network (an umbrella if you will), that works when NOTHING 
else does!  We take great pride in being there during times of emergency 
when all the phone lines are down, etc. Helping out is the name of the 
game then!
If you don't believe it, grab a HAM and take him out for a trip(hey may 
even convert someone to kayaking).You will be supprised at how far out on 
the water you can bring up HAM repeaters or even talk direct(other HAMs 
have high gain antenna's and LOVE  proving it!). As was mentioned by Bob, 
most repeaters also have phone patch(you can call the CG, police, your 
wife, etc), and as Michael remarked, the so called "no code" license is 
easy enough to get(if you study), that anybody can get it and it gives 
you axcess to VHF, UHF(lets just say everything a kayaker would want)!
The point is...., I live inland(New Mexico),and still like to see what 
other kayakers are doing. I think there is room for all of us to share a 
bit with each other, no mater where we are, what we paddle(if we spell 
good):>), or EVEN if we just happen to understand the "468 rule", or 
NOT!!
Hope I didn't offend anyone, maybe open an eye...ok, as I've always said" 
we can all carry matches but only through practice and UNDERSTANDING of 
what makes fire, can we stay warm at night"

End of speech!!

James

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