Re: [Paddlewise] VHF Yes/No Score

At 03:54 AM 12/3/98 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote:
>So far, the score is:
>
>Three leave their handheld VHF on continuously and monitor 16 (some also
monitor another "call"
>channel).
>
>Four leave it off, except to transmit or when special use is required,
e.g., prior to crossing an
>active shipping channel.
>
>Some in the latter group are located so remotely there "is no one who
would benefit from me having
>my radio on"  (to paraphrase).  Some are in very high traffic areas (e.g.,
SF Bay area), and quit
>monitoring because  ... well, I guess did not feel they could contribute
significantly to the
>"safety net" concept in a place with hundreds of power boaters in the
range of their radio.  And, at
>least one respondee keeps his off to save battery life for a "true"
emergency.
>
>Anyone else?
>-- 
>Dave Kruger
>Astoria, OR
>=========================================================================

Dave,

During the past six years I have paddled thousands of miles on Lake
Superior and in the Pacific NW. I carry a Standard VHF with two Nicad
battery packs. I have used the radio to recieve weather forecasts, send in
a mayday for a shipwreaked couple on the Brooks Peninsula, monitor the
whale watch channel on Johnstone Strait, and called off an
unsolicited/attempted Coast Guard rescue. I  have tried monitoring ch 16
while underway but the "waterproof" pouch is not very dry and when the
going gets rough I'd rather have my VHF stowed yet available. Also, running
down the batteries is a concern as I usually avoid populated areas.
Sometimes I would like to leave the radio home as it takes up space and
feels like an unnecessary crutch. I still carry it though for the weather
forecasts and the unlikely event where I completely screw up and end up in
a life threatening situation.
-Mike 


***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************