Hi Peter, > VHF repeater stations. Seems as though shortwave radio and digital selective > calling, are becoming standard for larger boats, but VHF or mobile phones > are the only practical survival communications for kayakers. (Or is there an > alternative?) I donīt think so. VHF is the best one, especially for kayakers. But, the DSC (digital selective call) is normally a VHF-based system, am I wrong? Thereīre few VHF-DSC System available, suitable for kayaks. But everytime, its expensive and not so easy to fit to a kayak, there sometimes difficult to handle (in kayaks) AND you canītake them with you if youīre separated from your kayak! Biggest problem is the waterproofness and the antenna(s). To make them waterproof is possible, but that makes them unhandy and who wants to trust the company statements "sure, itīs waterproof"? For DSC you either need a second antenna or a "splitted" (switchable) system. Iīm not so familiar with all that technical stuff. Then, how to fix an antenna in a safe way to a kayak? Not so easy, and all the power you hav to carry with your, uuugghh.... No, for direct callings a handheld VHF is the best for us. To call for help, a 406 Mhz (P)EPIRB (or PLB) is an alternative, have a look at the McMurdo Fastfind, under http://www.pwss.com, great size specially for kayakers. Iīm short with money, but since last week, I got one of the rare Fastfind-Dummies and Iīm going to show it around in the kayak scene. All the best Jochen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Apr 22 2003 - 03:11:23 PDT
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