[Paddlewise] Ch 16 and DSC

Thought I would share a few comments on this (which also touches on the 
"best vhf handheld" discussion that went on a few months ago) ...

- Wanting to be vhf-maritime equipped and capable, I took a course last 
spring for canadian "Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime)" with 
the new "DSC endorsement".  Hearing about the trend away from Channel 16 
to DSC (Digital Selective Calling) for Distress calls, I naturally 
wanted to find out what "kayak friendly" DSC-equipped radios were available.

- One option was the Uniden Mystic, which is a rather large handheld 
with built-in GPS.  This beast was not acceptable to me, for a couple of 
reasons.  For one, I already had a GPS which I liked better than that 
found in the mystic.

- As a long-time ham radio operator I already owned a multi-featured VHF 
handheld (Yaesu VX-7R) capable of monitoring Maritime VHF.  I discovered 
that this radio has a "twin sister", Standard Horizon HX471S - a 
submersible Maritime VHF handheld, DSC equipped - which could share all 
of the accessories of my VX-7R (Li-Ion battery packs, waterproof speaker 
mics, etc).  So I quickly acquired one.

- Now while the HX471S is DSC-equipped, there are a couple of issues.  
First, the connection to the  GPS is via some spring contacts in the  
charging base provided with the radio.  So when I'm holding the radio in 
my hand the GPS is not connected.  As long as the radio is not turned 
off, it retains the last recorded GPS coordinates.  So I could keep the 
radio in the docking/charging cradle connected to the GPS, and pull it 
out to use it, and the "close enough" GPS coordinates would be sent if I 
have to hit the DSC distress button.  But the Charging cradle is a bit 
bulky and I don't want to keep it on the deck of the kayak (or even in 
the kayak , for that matter).  So I will try to rig something up so that 
I can connect a cable from my Garmin GPS directly to the small contacts 
at the base of the HX471S.

- another issue with regard to DSC and Kayakers is the line-of-sight 
capability of the DSC  (this ain't no EPIRB!).  I was thinking I might 
install a fibreglass rod in the seldom-used rudder mount on my 
Feathercraft Big Kahuna, to mount an elevated VHF antenna.  A couple of 
problems with this.  First is the probability that, at the very time I 
need a strong signal to make a distress call, this "elevated" antenna 
might not be elevated anymore (ie following a capsize).  Second problem 
is that the HX471S does not have a removable antenna (as the VX-7R 
does).   So no way I can attach a feedline and elevated antenna to this 
handheld

- which gets me to wondering ... is there some compact, self-inflating 
weather balloon that I could  keep on my pfd?  If so, I could attach the 
VHF hanheld to it,  hit the DSC panic button, and raise the radio aloft 
(appropriately tethered of course!).  One thing about DSC over Ch 16 
voice mayday is that you don't have to be talking.

- anyone else have musings along these lines???

John C in LondonOn
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