I am not an electrical engineer. I don't play an electrical engineer on television. I only know what smart people tell me. With that disclaimer, I was talking recently with the senior design engineer of a company that makes handheld VHF radios, and asked him about the practical differences between one and five watt handheld VHFs. His answer was that a five watt radio will give you more "punch" to get out through other transmissions on a busy channel, but that one watt will get out as <far> as five watts, other things equal. Assuming this engineer to have a pretty good handle on such matters, I'd say that the gent who saved a few bucks and got a one-watter probably did okay --- assuming he can get out on a clear channel. For what it's worth --- Joq *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Jack_Martin_at_jtif.webfld.navy.mil wrote: > > I am not an electrical engineer. I don't play an electrical engineer > on television. I only know what smart people tell me. > > With that disclaimer, I was talking recently with the senior design > engineer of a company that makes handheld VHF radios, and asked him > about the practical differences between one and five watt handheld > VHFs. His answer was that a five watt radio will give you more > "punch" to get out through other transmissions on a busy channel, but > that one watt will get out as <far> as five watts, other things equal. > Assuming this engineer to have a pretty good handle on such matters, > I'd say that the gent who saved a few bucks and got a one-watter > probably did okay --- assuming he can get out on a clear channel. > > For what it's worth --- > > Joq > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** Hi, what watts ??? The last few years I used a VHF Panasonic Model KXG1500A,6 watts,costing at that time NZ$ 630.-- (present exch.rate 1$ NZ=0.55 c US). That VHF was operated inside a plastic bag,difficult to switch on and off because a switch had to be turned around. Last week I bought a new VHF Uniden Model HH940,1 watts,costin NZ$ 350.- The guy had couple in a bucket with water to demonstrate that they are waterproof. And after a week trialling I get the impression that this is slighter better than my old one.Certainly as far as reception is conserned.Size 6x12x3 cm plus a very plexible 12 cm arial.It has a two second push button ON and OFF switch.Weather alert.Etc. Hear you on channel 85 Eddie. *************************************************************************** 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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