Re: [Paddlewise] epirbs

On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 8:17 AM, Paul Hayward <pdh_at_mmcl.co.nz> wrote:

>
>
> Anybody know how a DSC VHF works when it's in Mayday mode - does it lock
> you
> out of using VHF#16 verbally while the VHF#70 digital conversation is
> happening ? There are a number of tries & re-tries on VHF#70, I know.
> Perhaps there are two transmitters - one dedicated to the digital traffic ?
>
> That's a good question. I have a DSC VHF on the muthah-ship but all I've
ever done is use that VHF for listening to marine weather broadcasts and
monitor Ch. 16. I'm pretty sure that in two years I've never actually talked
to anyone on it. I have not actually connected the VHF to the GPS because I
haven't yet installed the Garmin 3000 unit I bought for cheap off craigslist
a year ago. The re-building of the shop and my new knee replacement have
pretty much taken up all my time.

I wonder if the Canadian fellow that PeterO wrote about wasn't thinking more
of the SPOT which has, indeed, created quite a ruckus several times. And I
wonder if the problems with the SPOT haven't settled down over the past year
or so now that people have had a chance to get used to them. Now that I'm
traveling into wild country on a mountain bicycle and almost always solo I'm
a bit more concerned. My kayaking territory was almost always covered by VHF
and/or cell phone service but the mountain and desert trails are almost
never within any communications. In fact I'm considering building up a
little QRP ham radio kit just so I can keep Sue informed where I m.

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkakyaking.net
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