RE: [Paddlewise] walkie talkies & VHF

I know you wrote for battery advice, of which I don't have any, however
with one reply bringing up VHF I had to chime in.  FIRST, thank you for
pointing out that some people may not appreciate their use in chat and I
want to reemphasize that, strongly.  Although I do have some thought on
good radios.  

Please, Please, Please do many people a huge favor and do NOT use VHF
radios for chat. Keep them for vital or otherwise specified
communications or what I believe is called haling. Please whatever you
do don't use ch 16 or other channels with out first knowing what they
are reserved for.  Do some research.  There have been cases of boats
sinking with the crew making distress calls on the VHF while people have
been chatting over the vital communications presumable not realizing
that their chat blocks out other signals from getting though.  

VHF radios used to be licensed but now it has gone to sort of an honor
system which many serious boaters are reasonable disturbed over.  

ahhhh, that off my chest...

OK, radios that work.  A friend and I often carry a mid range motorola
when we are on the water.  I don't know what batteries he puts in them
but they just barely last an entire weekend with intermittent use, ie
maybe brief (couple minutes) conversations 5 to 10 times a day.  That is
at summer temps.

Hope that helps.

Bob
Chicago
 

.............
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 06:35:45 -0700
From: "Mary Z" <mzuschlag_at_attbi.com>
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] walkie talkies

My husband and I paddle frequently in local lagoons and bays.  I tend
to meander along the shore examining  the flora and fauna, he likes
to get a move on.  We try to stay in touch via   walkie talkie.  We
have yet to find one with a battery that lasted more than four or
five hours.  Any suggestions?
- --
Marcia Tauber


You might consider an Icom this unit is also water reistant.  Here is
the
review:
http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/icom.html

You could get a VHF unit that will have a longer range and be fully
water
proof, it will cost considerablely more. I like my Standard Horizon.  I
am
not sure they like social discussions on VHF so a 2 way may be the way
to
go. -- MZ

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