At 10:36 PM 3/8/98 -0500, you wrote: > Just as a clarification, the Apelco 501 is <not> water-resistant or > waterproof or submersible; it is under $200 (Defender lists it for > $174.95 US) and it has the "weather alert" feature, definitely an > important feature, but it isn't water-<anything>! I'm sorry Jack, I quoted what was available on Apelco's Home page... The reference was to the "501 Plus" Since they make no mention of a "501." I dopped off the "plus" for the sake of brevity. <shrug> The 501 Plus is listed at West Marine for about $189 and [according to Apelco's page] has the <same> "waterproof" spec's that the <510> does. Where did you get the information on the 520? It is not listed on Apelco's page. Take care, Tom Weese {Remember: "Three left turns often make a right..." } <http://www.totemwood.com> or <http://www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly/> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The image of spending thirty minutes three feet under my kayak --- or, better yet, being towed across the Atlantic behind a freighter --- brings to mind the insistence of one of the Navy's international customers that a piece of avionics gear, currently being developed as a multinational project, be specified to withstand 52 Gs, sustained. The significance here is that, while the pilot would be dead and the aircraft shredded, the little GPS would know exactly where it was, all the way down to water impact! It's sorta like that here. While I agree with George Bergeron that an extra margin of survivability is a good thing, I, for one, am not going to be awfully concerned if my VHF dies when it passes through five feet on its way to the bottom --- 'cause it's clipped to my damned PFD, and I'm still in it! As far as galvanization and metal-rot, so far no sign of it, and the little unit has seen a lot of salt water. But it's also been washed thoroughly after every use. Joq ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: [Paddlewise] "Waterproof" . . . VHFs Author: "Geo. Bergeron" <heritage_at_europa.com> at SPTC Date: 3/7/98 10:51 PM At 10:23 PM 3/7/98 -0500, you wrote: > And, in reviewing the Defender Marine catalog, there is a new Apelco > 520 VHF that is waterproof <and> submersible --- compliant with JIS-7 > requiring survival at a depth of one meter for 30 minutes --- which > sounds pretty impressive. (Note: the newer handheld VHFs have a > "weather alert" feature which automatically indicates a severe weather > broadcast in your area, a definite advantage if you're within the NOAA > radio network.) > > Joq Not wanting to be a "wet blanket" here, but standard European minimal criteria for "water resistant" is submersion at one meter for 30 minutes. At one meter there's virtually no water pressure on the unit. Thirty minutes is not very long if you happen to be cast adrift in the ocean waiting for rescue. The Aquapac cases will keep your electronic gear waterproof for longer periods of time at greater depths. . . although neither depth nor time is specified in the Aquapac literature. The other item I'd be concerned about with a radio is resistance to salt water corrosion. A little bit of salt in the water really starts to mess up your equipment. Rust proof metals such as brass and stainless steel --standard marine equipment metals-- will begin to corrode through "bi-metalic electrolysis" when brought into contact with each other in a salt water environment. The metals literally form a battery and start moving electrons. I'd be concerned about exposing electronic gear to salt water. Just as a comparison . . . my basic marine watch (OK, it's a knock off of a Rolex Submariner) is water proof to 100 meters and safe in salt water. Any emergency equipment used in a marine environment should be waterproof for a lot longer than 30 minutes at one meter. The one meter for 30 minute standard may be fine for a flashlight used for backpacking in the rain, but I'd really like to see my marine radio survive being towed behind a freighter on a trans-Atlantic crossing. Waterproof cases will bring your gear more into line with this second criteria. ------------------------------------------------------- George Bergeron, Secretary OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL P.O. Box 1041, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034 Web Site: http://www.europa.com/~heritage/welcome.html Email: heritage_at_europa.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
George, You wouldn't be speaking about what I was taught is called "galvanic corrosion" by chance? That being the case, seems that if the water-seal works, no problem. If the seal fails and the battery is any good, I'd be far more concerned about the differences in electrical potential from that source... <shrug> dunno. Apelco's page says, "*Waterproof to U.S.C.G. CFR-46 standards. Withstands a total of 65 gallons of water per minute sprayed through a 1" diameter nozzle at a distance of 10 feet for a period of not less than 5 minutes." figuring that 33ft is one atmosphere, and an atmosphere is about 14.7 psia, then one meter would be about 1.47psig <?>. I agree, not much pressure. However, I'm guessing that the CFR-46 requirement applies more pressure, and does it in a more realistic manner than a simple "soaking..." Of course it makes sense to keep things as dry as possible. I think bags are good and fine. I also believe that somewhere along the line, I'll be without one when I shouldn't. As a consequence this thread has really gotten my attention. Since the "501" can be had at less than $200 it bears serious consideration... BTW, I charged up my Standard, and now "it broke, make no sound..." I'll be calling West Marine tomorrow to see about a repair, and maybe... Well, I might have to look at this here Apelco-water-proof-radio-rig-thingy-ma-boodle-doodle...<G> Tom... [referenced quotes below] At 08:39 PM 3/8/98 -0500, Jack_Martin_at_jtif.webfld.navy.mil wrote: snip-----> > It's sorta like that here. While I agree with George Bergeron that an > extra margin of survivability is a good thing, I, for one, am not > going to be awfully concerned if my VHF dies when it passes through > five feet on its way to the bottom --- 'cause it's clipped to my > damned PFD, and I'm still in it! >Author: "Geo. Bergeron" <heritage_at_europa.com> at SPTC > The other item I'd be concerned about with a radio is resistance to >salt water corrosion. A little bit of salt in the water really starts to >mess up your equipment. Rust proof metals such as brass and stainless steel >--standard marine equipment metals-- will begin to corrode through >"bi-metalic electrolysis" when brought into contact with each other in a >salt water environment. The metals literally form a battery and start moving >electrons. I'd be concerned about exposing electronic gear to salt water. snip------> but I'd really like to see my marine radio survive being towed behind >a freighter on a trans-Atlantic crossing. Waterproof cases will bring your >gear more into line with this second criteria. {Remember: "Three left turns often make a right..." } <http://www.totemwood.com> or <http://www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly/> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The problem I have with my Standard is not being underwater but large temperature differences. It gets heated up in the sun then cool water splashes over it, causing a vacuum in the unit and drawing a small amount of water past the o-ring. The radio heats up again and the water vaporizes...then condenses in the LCD... Bob Denton Vice President Undersea Breathing Systems bob_at_dnax.com http://www.dnax.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Stand corrected. Was not aware that there <was> a 501 plus. At that price, it does sound like a good deal. Got the info on the 520 from the Defender catalog. Joq ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: [Paddlewise] "Waterproof" . . . VHFs Author: "TomTotem..." <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> at SPTC Date: 3/9/98 1:05 AM At 10:36 PM 3/8/98 -0500, you wrote: > Just as a clarification, the Apelco 501 is <not> water-resistant or > waterproof or submersible; it is under $200 (Defender lists it for > $174.95 US) and it has the "weather alert" feature, definitely an > important feature, but it isn't water-<anything>! I'm sorry Jack, I quoted what was available on Apelco's Home page... The reference was to the "501 Plus" Since they make no mention of a "501." I dopped off the "plus" for the sake of brevity. <shrug> The 501 Plus is listed at West Marine for about $189 and [according to Apelco's page] has the <same> "waterproof" spec's that the <510> does. Where did you get the information on the 520? It is not listed on Apelco's page. Take care, Tom Weese {Remember: "Three left turns often make a right..." } <http://www.totemwood.com> or <http://www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly/> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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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