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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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/ ***************************************************************************
Both Megan and I have VHF radios. If we become separated at sea we have an agreed upon procedure (time to call and channel, etc.) for establishing contact. In addition the radios give both of us the ability to call for help, and to receive weather information. The radios are on deck (usually turned off) when we are paddling unfamiliar waters. When we paddle the San Francisco bay we may leave the radios at home even if we are crossing the shipping channels. The only time we have broadcast is as a test. Keith 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. > Anyone else? > -- > Dave Kruger > Astoria, OR > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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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