[Paddlewise] VHF radios, batteries, antennas.

Dan Hagen commented...

"The high-capacity NiCads that I use in my M15 have three times
the capacity of the standard NiCads used in older-generation
handhelds"

It would be useful for us to quantify the battery output of
nicads available to make some comparisons. I've just returned
from a 2.5 week trip in the Caribbean where the nearest AC outlet
was 90+ miles away.  How many ni-cad battery packs do I need for
2 weeks of paddling (and incidently how much do they cost?). 
I've posted data here on alkaline decline and usefulness over
time an will do so again if there is any interest.  But give us
some figures to compare.  How many hours at 70s F and a ratio of
90% monitor 5% receive 5% transmit, using the antenna
recommended, will the M-15 battery pack work?  

Dan continues: "a submersible radio can be fitted and used with a
telescoping antenna"

How?  The M-15 does not come from the factory with either the
alkaline battery pack you mention or an extended antenna.  ICOM
discontinued their accessory whip antennas such as the one I have
for my M7 because they were too frequently used by unknowledgable
people to transmit when the antenna wan not fully extended --
fried circuitry being the result as you know.  How did you affix
a waterproof antenna to your M15?  How do you ensure that it is
correctly deployed before transmitting while in the water?  I
have fit a whip antenna to my G3A using parts from a CB shop and
instructions from ICOM, but it is hardly a waterproof
connection.  I use the whip antenna on land, but in the water I
revert to the factory issue rubber ducky, and everything goes in
a nylon dry bag (not a plastic radio bag) carried in a cusom
pocket on my PFD, radio turned on, set to 16, and ready to
transmit without any adjustments.  Just punch the key through the
bag and transmit.  Do you leave your radio on at all times while
paddling?  And in an emergency, how do you roll your boat or wet
exit and reenter, with an antenna protruding 28" unless the radio
is on the boat, not your PFD?

Further: "I have two ICOMs that can use alkalines (an M7 and an
M15"

The M-15 uses alkaline batteries?  How?  How did you manufacture
the alkaline battery pack for the M15 to the same waterproof
tolerances as the factory provided ni-cad unit?  If we can all do
this, it will be a boon.  I'd very much like to make a waterproof
alkaline battery pack for my M3A.  How is it done?

Thanks for clarifying these issues.

Richard Mitchell
ICOM M7 and M3A
"Kayak One" WCD4048
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