[Paddlewise] VHF radios reliability

From: Saul Kinderis <saul_at_isomedia.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1998 07:58:28 -0800
At 09:59 AM 12/2/98 -0500, Don Watson wrote:
>I have had really variable results with my Icom VHF. Sometimes line of sight
>of even a mile is too much due to mountains or ant mounds or I don't know
>what getting in the way. ...

I have three VHF radios (that way if I loan out a kayak a radio goes with it
- plus in the event of trouble, other people are capable of calling).

I have found that the radios can degrade for various reasons and typically
test them in the spring and fall each year.

I have had one that I got replaced on warranty when I noticed that it's
transmissions were garbled after about 6 months of use. It could still
recieve fine, but the transmission was weak and unclear, so it was really
unreliable as a safety device. I would reccomend testing your own at least a
few times a year.

I test mine at 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile and 2-4 miles on land near a lake and have
found that one radio may work well and another not during the same test.

It's usually indicated that the radio needed service or at least a new
battery or recharge and cleaning of contacts.

-Saul
Saul Kinderis     saul_at_isomedia.com          tel:(425)402-3426

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Received on Wed Dec 02 1998 - 07:37:07 PST

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