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/ ***************************************************************************
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