Re: [Paddlewise] VHF Questions

rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote:

> However I will hit the big 60 this coming weekend and am NOW suggesting
> to my wife that a VHF might be a good gift idea. 
[snip]

> 1) I basically distrust all things electrical and electronic in sea
> conditions even flashlights (which I carry a reduntant amount of, just
> in case);

A good attitude, Ralph, especially for an electronic device as subject to
splashing as a HH VHF -- when you really need it, conditions are likely to
be very rude.

> 2) I see a radio as potentially one more crutch to have along to get me
> out of a jam that I should not have gotten myself into in the first
> place.  Or reach for a radio when other self solutions would work just
> as well if not better.

Valid point, unless you plan to leave it on and monitor transmissions of
other, larger craft.  Especially in busy, crowded harbors, you *may* find
it increases your awareness of the intentions of tugs, ferries, and the odd
freighter.  It sounds like you do fine, now, so the radio is probably not
going to make much difference.  Don't know how it is in NYC harbor, but out
here, the commercial traffic is very religious about announcing its
intentions vis-a-vis operations in/near the shipping channel.

> Just one additional question.  Several individuals have talked about
> transmitting from land.  I thought that marine radios could not be used
> on shore or is that something that applied earlier when licenses were
> required?

Technically, it is illegal for us to transmit with a HH VHF from land. 
(Listening is legal.)  However, if the transmissions are clearly related to
immediate use of a watercraft (or, to an emergency) and do not lapse over
into the CB-babble mode, no one will hassle you.  (There are some special
marine radio licenses which allow marinas, ship pilot services, etc., to
broadcast from land-based stations.)  In fact, in some parts of the world
(NOT NYC harbor), marine VHF is the de facto party line for place-to-place
communication, whether ashore or not -- remote sections of the Charlottes,
for example.  Illegal, yes.  Local usage won out over legal fine print.

Let us know what you settle on.  With your customary thoroughness and
erudition, I suspect the rest of us will learn much from your description
of your search!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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