-----Richard wrote; > > It is the world's loss that you will not provide people with directions to > and trip notes for the Kimosippi. That such a magnificient river should > remain unknown to wilderness paddlers is a pity. The world's loss is my gain. Cheers John Winters *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I carry a satellite phone (Globalstar) not only for kayaking but for a variety of reasons. I go to Baja (Bahia San Luis Gonzaga) three or more times a year. I have no other phone at the house there and it's handy if I have vehicle problems on the way. I also go birding internationally to remote areas (upper Amazon basin in Peru, Tari highlands in Papua New Guinea, etc.). I can keep in touch with my girlfriend and relatives from just about anywhere. Once in Tobago when I wanted to talk to my girlfriend I simply went out on the beach took the phone out and called her. Even when phones are available in the general area trying to locate one and dealing with language and payment can be inconvenient. I can conveniently call anyone from anywhere at anytime without fear of fines or imprisonment. Tony In a message dated 12/5/2004 8:25:49 AM Pacific Standard Time, kdruger_at_pacifier.com writes: Here's the scoop on the canoeist who got fined for his (second) use of a PLB. This was discussed here quite a bit in March/April. Anybody know how this turned out? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> I carry a satellite phone (Globalstar) not only for kayaking but for a > variety of reasons. I go to Baja (Bahia San Luis Gonzaga) three or more times a > year. I have no other phone at the house there and it's handy if I have vehicle > problems on the way. I also go birding internationally to remote areas I thought of them, many times. They cost from $600 (? not sure), + substantial annual fees and/or airtime fees or whatever they charge. Waterproof units cost even more (there were some, if I recall it right). Those ones that I saw, were larger than latest PLB models, somehwat awkward to carry always on you (and what's not on you, is not with you - when you have to abandon the ship in a rush). Considering some problems with "waterproof" VHF and GPS units, I would suspect that "waterproof" satellite phones will have similar or even more weak spots. (PLB is easier to make completely waterproof, since it doesn't need numerous buttons to operate it). These phones are not a substitute for PLB, of course - you can't talk over the PLB. In Baja (south of Bahia Gonzaga and north of Mulege) I couldn't pick anything on any VHF channels that I scanned. There was no need, but it felt uncomfortable. Most of mexican fishermen in small "pangas" (if not all of hem) don't have VHF, and I didn't see any larger ships. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I have heard that Globalstar handsets cost about $600 now. Some years ago when I got mine the list price was over $1000 but the "street" price that I paid was $800. They have several plans, different plans have different monthly rates and per minute charges. Mine is called a "seasonal plan"' it costs about $9.95/mo and about $1.85/minute to use. My girlfriend's brother uses it whenever he races in Baja. He has been doing all three races each year in the past few years. My girlfriend's parents also use it in Baja about 3x a year so I am able to spread the costs over several people. Mine is not waterproof. I originally bought it for international travel not kayaking. I have a marine radio as well and use it in the Gonzaga area. Mexican fishermen use it some but locally it's mostly used by Mexicans and gringos as sort of a house-to-house party line. Folks gossip on it and invite each over for dinner and drinks. Tony In a message dated 12/5/2004 12:48:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, al.m_at_3web.net writes: I thought of them, many times. They cost from $600 (? not sure), + substantial annual fees and/or airtime fees or whatever they charge. Waterproof units cost even more (there were some, if I recall it right). Those ones that I saw, were larger than latest PLB models, somehwat awkward to carry always on you (and what's not on you, is not with you - when you have to abandon the ship in a rush). Considering some problems with "waterproof" VHF and GPS units, I would suspect that "waterproof" satellite phones will have similar or even more weak spots. (PLB is easier to make completely waterproof, since it doesn't need numerous buttons to operate it). These phones are not a substitute for PLB, of course - you can't talk over the PLB. In Baja (south of Bahia Gonzaga and north of Mulege) I couldn't pick anything on any VHF channels that I scanned. There was no need, but it felt uncomfortable. Most of mexican fishermen in small "pangas" (if not all of hem) don't have VHF, and I didn't see any larger ships. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Niilus wrote: - >I carry a satellite phone (Globalstar) G'Day, I do like the idea of a satellite phone - GPS combination. Sounds perfect. Too expensive for me though. Being a fairly risk averse sort of paddler I've mostly had to use my communication gear to help rescue others. First time it was a whistle, it was all the gear I had, I'ld come across two kayaers paddling against a three knot southerly current along a non landable coast line and a 20 knot southerly wind about to pick up. They were getting nowhere and I didn't have a tow rope (serious ommission). It was sheer luck that the whistle was heard and I was able to get help for them, that taught me to carry proper gear! The second time was two weeks ago. I'ld been carrying a VHF radio for three or four years and was becoming increasingly unconvinced of its usefulness, particularly because of the tendency for VHF to be blocked by headlands. Just two weeks ago found myself acting as a very effective relay between a rescuer/rescuee and their main party so I'm hanging on to the VHF radio. Trouble with not communicating is that if an empty boat is found and no communication or float plan to support it, the authorities over here do go to a lot of trouble to find out what has happened. They generally seem to prefer it if you stay in touch. More convenient for them. EPIRBS here will call out some or all of the Navy, the Airforce, the Water Police, and the Coast Guard and they have been known to travel several thousand miles into the Southern Ocean to rescue lone yachtsmen. I carry an EPIRB but it scares me and I'ld have to be near death to use it. A few mates of mine were attacked by a saltwater crocodile in the Northern Territory some years ago and had to use their EPIRB as one of the party was very severely injured. There's general agreement the decision was justified. They sold the story to the press and used the proceeds to help the hospital which looked after them - seemed like the fair thing. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I have no choice. Although I usually travel alone my girlfriend and mom always insist that I carry certain gear (cellphone and satellite phone) in addition to more typical emergency gear. My girlfriend especially is quite adamant and so I respect her wishes to avoid an unpleasant confrontation. Faced with my girlfriend and mom I always give in, and no, I am unwilling to get a new mom and girlfriend. Tony In a message dated 12/6/2004 6:29:58 AM Pacific Standard Time, jdwinters_at_eastlink.ca writes: Occasionally one has no choice. For example (there may be others) if you travel with some one else it often pays to respect their wishes to avoid an unpleasant confrontation if they insist on certain gear. Faced with an adamant person I usually give in but don't travel with them again. Also, some governments insist on certain gear. I don't like it but I respect the law. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Phones (satellite or whatever) could supplement PLB/EPIRB each other, but these things are not meant to be substitutes for each other. Latest PLBs are small waterproof units with 5-year battery life (24 hrs of distress signal transmission), and don't need any conscious effort to operate them after being activated. They will automatically send a distress signal with your particulars like registered name (or vessel name), and (which is very important) - with your location. PLB with built-in GPS are more accurate, those without GPS - less accurate (a few miles accuracy), but they will do that no matter in what shape you are , what language you are speaking and whether you know your location or not. This device is designed for sending distress signal only, and it does this perfect. With phone or VHF you have to know your location, to speak so that rescuer would understand you (under stress one might forget those few Spanish words that he knows, not to mention Portugese speaking South America). Also, after soaking for hours in water or being biten by snake chances are that a person wouldn't talk much. A kayker that was rescued near Hawaii coast two years ago, placed a cell phone call, but it took more than 24 hours to find him on seas. Phones and VHF offer more options than PLB, you can ask not to rescue you, or just chat with a family (something I wouldn't willingly do on a kayking trip :-), but for placing a distress call there is nothing better than PLB, - IF there is a real need for such a call. Until recent;y PLB were bulky, unaffordable, slow and less accurate. The situation has drastically changed this year, and I wonder what outcomes this will result in, - lke numerous lawsuits, and more stringent registration of all sorts of self-propelled adveturers, including even hikers. > I have no choice. Although I usually travel alone my girlfriend and mom > always insist that I carry certain gear (cellphone and satellite phone) in > addition to more typical emergency gear. My girlfriend especially is quite adamant > and so I respect her wishes to avoid an unpleasant confrontation. Faced with > my girlfriend and mom I always give in, and no, I am unwilling to get a new mom > and girlfriend. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Yup, women, hard to live with'em, hard to live without'em. Tony In a message dated 12/6/2004 7:53:11 AM Pacific Standard Time, nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com writes: I generally agree with your philosophy. One of my friends I paddle with is under orders from his wife to carry a cell phone and call in everyday. This only serves to make her worry needlessly when there is no cellphone coverage, and causes my friend to spend a lot of time looking for coverage to keep her from worrying. It is easier when there is no possibility for making contact, then the absence of contact is not itself a problem. If we were to have a satellite phone, she would see no reason why we couldn't call twice a day, and there would be no way to explain that water got on the battery and the thing died. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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