Re: [Paddlewise] Just received my Icom m32.

"John MacKechnie" <bigmac1_at_enter.net> wrote:

> Just received my Icom m32.
>I haven't tried it yet, but it looks very sturdy. Certainly not a toy.
> Question. I read the instruction book, but I wasn't clear on whether I 
> needed to get a license or not.

John,

Are you in the US?  If so, no license needed.

If you travel to Canada, the rules say you need a license, but usage 
indicates this is not enforced for sea kayakers.  I have a license because I 
got my VHF 10 years ago, but I no longer carry it to Canada.  CCG is happy to 
respond to your emergency calls without asking first if you have a license. 
And, at launches and on the water, nobody is checking.  If you abused Channel 
16, then I bet they would ticket you and confiscate the radio.

Learn VHF protocol and practice making calls before you need to use the radio 
in an emergency.

Let us know how you like the M32.  It seems like a really good unit.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR 
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