Re: [Paddlewise] VHF

On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 11:01 AM, skimmer <skimmer_at_enter.net> wrote:

>  What waterproof VHF radio do you like best for carrying on your PFD? If
> you carry it other than on your PFD, what is your system and choice of
> radios?
>
I have an Icom M32 which I carry in my Kokatat SeaO2 PFD pocket when I'm on
saltwater. Like Steve Holtzman, I've found a VHF to be useless on inland
lakes and rivers (other than for the WX broadcasts) simply because no one
listens. I didn't have a reason for buying the Icom other than that I've
used Icom radios a lot in amateur radio and found them to be reliable. The
M32 wouldn't be my choice now (probably the M72) but it's done its job well
and has a very quick charger.

I have some of an advantage by using a muthah-ship as my home base so I can
charge a VHF there rather than rely on carrying batteries. We also often go
with a trailer which also can charge. I don't do many long range trips so
it's not been an issue.

The M32 was on sale at West Marine at a good price when I bought it (3 or 4
years ago).

> What general discussion do you have regarding VHF radios?
>
As long as the batteries are charged (or fresh) using a VHF is pretty
simple. All of the modern handhelds that I've been familiar with turn on
with Channel 16 ready to communicate. Older models of radios with
switch-selected channels might be set to the last one used which might not
be Channel 16. Simply turn it on, listen for activity, and call for help.
It's nice to have a GPS so you can tell people where you are more accurately
but even "2 miles SW of Cattle Point" will work.

> It is pretty easy these days to get boaters to carry cell phones, even
> though their use is discouraged by authorities. Who has experience with
> waterproof cell phones?
>
I put my cell phone (an iPhone) in either a waterproof bag made for cell
phones or in a watertight plastic box. I usually tether the bag or box to
the boat but have been thinking that perhaps tucking it into the PFD pocket
with the VHF might be a better way. With a cell phone you have to be a bit
more direct with the operators and tell them explicitly what the problem is
and who they should contact on your behalf.

> At least some parts of the Pacific Coast have a specific system for cell
> phone calls by marine traffic. What is that?
>
I've never heard of that... we do have phone calls via VHF which generally
need an account with the carrier set up in advance. Prior to the widespread
use of cell phones this was virtually the only way to make telephone calls
from a boat to someone ashore (other than SSB which was not at all common).

>  On inland waters, lakes, rivers etc, are cell phones or VHF radios
> equally effective?
>

As both Steve H. and I have indicated, VHF use is so uncommonly used on
inland waters as to be completely ineffective. Cell phone use is spotty
depending upon the location of appropriate cell towers. Many lakes and
streams are not covered at all by any cellular system and other waters are
only covered when they are in close proximity to major highways or larger
cities. Emergency communications in remote areas are still very much
problematic.

Amateur radio VHF repeaters often have huge range (hundreds of miles) but
require a license unless it's a bona-fide emergency. Their frequencies are
near the VHF marine bands but do not overlap. You can, however, buy ham
handheld transceivers that cover both amateur and marine bands. These are
not often waterproof, however. In my opinion it's well worth a paddler's
time to get a ham license (no code required any more) if only for the
convenience. The entire inland passage of BC is covered by a system of
linked VHF repeaters, for instance.

SPOT, despite its many problems, is probably not a bad idea to use for many
kayakers as long as the people who are monitoring the reports don't panic at
the slightest delay in receiving them. The greatest handicap to SPOT is, of
course, the cost. But the system does work even in inland areas (at least in
North America).


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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