Re: [Paddlewise] VHF

Edward Sullivan wrote:
> 
> In Barkley Sound in October I started thinking a VHF might be a nice
> thing to have, as there was nobody around to see my aerial flares. My
> ham buddy tells me VHF is line-of-sight range. [snip]
> 
> I know it's a hail mary kinda gadget, but do I have a good chance of
> getting heard when my Caribou has burned down to the waterline? Assuming
> I'm out there.

I'm glad you raised the question, because the answer is a rather large "depends."

"Depends?"  On what, you ask?  

I think it depends on whether or not other *sea kayakers* leave their VHF's on, and tuned to Channel
16, the universal hailing/emergency channel.  Face it -- in places like Barkley Sound, the nearest
craft is a sea kayak, not a fishing vessel or a sailboat (and there are a lot of sea kayaks in
Barkley Sound!).  Yeah, sure, it would be better to reach the Coast Guard, or a motor vessel, but we
are probably the best "safety net" in places like Barkley Sound.  Same's true many other places I
paddle -- but not everywhere.

I believe the Canadian CG has a sizable antenna on a ridge overlooking Barkley Sound, so they
*might* pick up your weeny 5 Watt transmission from your handheld -- but that depends on good
line-of-sight to their antenna -- which is at least 5 - 8 miles off, depending on where you are on
Barkley Sound.  Eight miles is getting close to the *practical* range for a 5 Watt handheld
(assuming the standard rubber ducky antenna), though I have now and then gotten 8 miles
beach-to-beach, handheld to handheld, a tougher shot.

OTOH, I have *regularly* made successful transmissions to other handheld VHF's in the hands of sea
kayakers, also in their yaks, in the water, over a distance of 2 - 3 miles, sometimes *over an
intervening ridge.*  In Barkley Sound, that range probably includes a half dozen sea kayakers.

Now, if they only had their VHF's ON.  And, I bet they DON'T, because most sea kayakers (in my
experience) only turn the VHF on to listen to the weather, yak briefly at other yakkers, or to send
out a Mayday.  In other words, most of us are so selfish that we don't want to be part of the
"safety net" to help others -- but we DO expect somebody else to hear us, and respond.

How about it?  Do you leave your VHF on, tuned to 16 (and whatever "call" channel fits your area)
while paddling?  Bet you don't.

I'll collect responses and summarize the results -- no one needs to confess to the Paddlewise throng
they are selfish.  I promise to maintain confidentiality.  Just email me.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
--
P.S.  Most of my own paddling is in the Lower Columbia River, where I monitor 16 and 13 (shipping
traffic).  I think down here I could raise a pleasure craft, duck hunter, or maybe a pilot on a
freighter, but not a sea kayaker.  Not many of us around, and the area is too huge for me to expect
other sea kayakers to form a "safety net."  I also am able to monitor current conditions by
listening to the barge traffic and freighters exchange info.  I leave it on, down here, but have yet
to hear another sea kayaker asking for help.  Have heard lots of power boaters requesting aid from
the CG, however.
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