In a message dated 98-07-06 00:15:44 EDT, Robert Cline <rcline_at_onramp.net> writes: << My brand new "Waterproof/water resistant" hand held VHF-Icom 3A was in one of the "waterproof" plastic bags, in my deck bag this afternoon when I decided to do a couple of rolls in Saltwater. (I have the same set up as you do John). When I got home and started cleaning up, I found not just moisture, but water in the plastic bag... the radio was wet. Moisture had gotten inside the battery case AND inside the radio. So much for waterproofing radios. Anyone know of a better method? If the radio is not handy, what good is it? >> It <shouldn't> happen. Send it back --- get a new one, Robert. And, depending on it's "waterproof" spec, your ICOM radio might not need a plastic bag. Problem is, which qualification? There's "water resistant", "saltwaterproof", "weather resistant", and "watertight", to name a few. But there are "standards" --- the U.S. Coast Guard has worked with a spec for "waterproof-ness", CFR-46, which requires the unit to survive being drenched with a fire hose at some "mil spec" waterflow for some period of time. And there's a newer spec --- not sure whose ---, JIS-7, which is for "submersible" radios, requiring survival submerged in one meter of water for a half hour. Anything we take kayaking probably ought to meet at least the CFR-46 and, preferably, the JIS-7 specs. I routinely take my old Apelco 510 (a CFR-46 compliant unit) on open water, and will brace and roll with it clipped into my PFD lash tab (along with a redundant strap with quick releases). The radio failed once, but I helped it along a good deal by bashing it into a concrete pier first. The company still replaced it. After use, I always wash it off in fresh water, clean the contacts for the charger, and regularly check and reseal the "o" rings and rubber stoppers. (While I like redundancy, I don't like plastic bags.) But I wouldn't buy another radio without the JIS-7 standard --- just that much better chance of survival. (Also would not buy one that did not have a "weather alert" function to automatically let me know about a weather warning on the local NOAA channel.) Apelco's 520 (list $460.00 US, Defender Marine $264.90 US) has these features, as does, I believe, the ICOM M15 (list $669.00 US, Defender Marine $329.95). (Have found Defender has generally competitive prices --- check around for better prices and sales.) And there are probably others that meet the JIS-7 specs and offer "weather alert" functions, too. Maybe ICOM would let you upgrade at cost for your trouble when they replace your unit, Robert. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jul 06 1998 - 05:45:29 PDT
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