Re: [Paddlewise] Hams and Kayaks

It's a pleasure to meet you Steve!

	When I first came out here I know that I had not gotten myself involved in
radio like I did back "home" [Jackson, MI] and had no idea the coverage of
the repeaters out this way.  The emphasis appeared so strong on Marine
radio...  I even found a book on making a mod to the Yaesu to allow it to
work on Marine freqs...  Never found someone to help me make the change...
and really doubt that I will...

> 2M band will serve you much better than marine VHF. Ham repeaters nearly
>always get good locations; You'd have to be pretty far out to sea before
>you would be out of range. Plus the altitude of the repeater antenna more
>than makes up for your lack of same. Also, there is nearly always someone
>monitoring. You may not get them to come out for idle chatter, but holler
>mayday (only in need!!!) and you're almost guaranteed a response.

	Heh... I actually [!!!!!] hoped that would be the case...  Maybe "conking
my head" helped me by forcing me to start over in many ways...<g>  Good to
hear that I am on the right track... real good...

>Down-side, however is that few other kayak folks will have a ham license.

	I keep finding myself alone paddling anyway...  perhaps that will change
after I find myself up to the old capabilities...  for now... Lake
Washington is my place... <g>

>Carry a marine radio too if that seems desirable.

	Okay, may as well bring it...  If with others I have a couple of
inexpensive CB portable rigs I can loan out...  <shrug>

> Field day means operation for 24 hours with out the benefit of commercial
>electricity! 

	OOOOOPS  Forgot!   <sheesh> <shaking my head>  Now do you see why I asked
for some feedback from hams?  hehehh... thanks for pointing this out!  heheh...

>You might consider loading up a bunch of batteries or whatever
>and going camping with your kayak. As far as field day IN a boat, I don't
>think I'd want to spend 24hrs sitting in a 'yak . . .

	Hehehhh... yea... that wasn't exactly what I had in mind-24hrs in a boat I
mean...  'Course I suppose I could combine the portable with my truck rig
and a tent...

>Ask someone about joining the local ARES (amateur radio emergency service)
>group the next time you're on. They'll put you, your kayak, and your Yaesu
>to work for sure! BTW, your license is good forever, so long as you renew
>it every 10 yrs.

	<hitting my head> oooops again... perhaps I should read my license once in
a while.. heh... I Was a member of ARES back in Jackson-really enjoyed it,
and was.... heyyyy I just remembered-RACES...yes, I have a book somewhere
on RACES ....  You think that ARES might have a use for me and my KAYAK?
hmmmmm!

	Thanks for your reply!  My radio skills started a while before my kayak
skills, and so once I got the pieces together [including freqs etc...] and
jostled my memory enough to make a contact-a bunch came back!  Not
everything by a ways, but much indeed.  I was suprised!

73 KG0MB!

	KB8UZD


	
<gadfly_at_isomedia.com>

homepage:
www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly
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