Re: [Paddlewise] VHF antenna on a kit, SW radios...

From: Bob Denton <bob_at_dnax.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 1998 17:14:01 -5
> From:          Julio MacWilliams <juliom_at_cisco.com>
> Subject:       [Paddlewise] VHF antenna on a kit, SW radios...
> To:            paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Date:          Thu, 5 Mar 1998 11:59:05 -0800 (PST)

> I know several people out there use kites to take advantage of
> the wind instead of fighting it to paddle from one place to another.
> Then, marine radio frequencies are restricted to line of sight communication,
> which for a kayaker whose head is about 2 feet over the water means
> a practical maximum of 3 miles due to the curvature of the earth.

The length of coax cable you need at VHF frequencies would be so 
bulky and heavy, it would be impractical.


> If someone wanted to make a radio transmition reach very, very far,
> would it work to lift a wire antenna with a kite? I think it would
> even be easier to do it from a beach in those cases where the beach
> happens to be by a cliff wall and radio waves only go out to sea.

The ideal length wire is about 6 feet?




> Also, for emergencies, it would probably be better to carry a short wave
> ham radio. With that it is almost guaranteed that you can get to 
> someone who may call the rescue people for you.
> I understand that serious boats and ships carry both VHF and SW radios,
> which leads me to think that maybe there is a SW frequency to call for
> help in emergencies; does anyone know which frequency that is?
Short Wave radios require a more serious ham license...13 wpm morse 
code, and the radios are much less tolerant of abuse.

cya
Bob Denton
Vice President 
Undersea Breathing Systems
bob_at_dnax.com
http://www.dnax.com
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Received on Thu Mar 05 1998 - 14:26:30 PST

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