Re: VHF radios

From: Rick Cattell (rick@cattell.net-DeleteThis.com)
Date: Sat Mar 31 2001 - 09:02:48 PST

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Message-ID: <3AC60DB8.7F889AEF@cattell.net-DeleteThis.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2001 09:02:48 -0800
From: Rick Cattell <rick@cattell.net-DeleteThis.com>
To: wind_talk@opus.labs.agilent.com-DeleteThis.com
Subject: Re: VHF radios
References: <20010331054841.18693.qmail@web1406.mail.yahoo.com-DeleteThis.com>

I've used the waterproof Standard Horizon HX350S for the last few
years. It has an alkaline battery pack, but I find that the
rechargeable stays charged all season, and the alkaline battery pack is
not waterproof enough (what a mess when it leaked!) I owned two other
waterproof VHFs over the last 10 years. I haven't yet found one that is
"waterproof" after dozens of times in the water, that's why I use a
"waterproof" bag that's also not not waterproof after many uses :-(

I've left the Standard sitting in salt water for days or weeks in a
"waterproof" bag several times. Most of the time it still works after
that, but I've had to return it once. They promptly sent me a new one.
You can extend the 3-year warranty for $65 with a perpetual flat-rate
repair cost, I recommend that.

Warning: I thought my VHF was still working after sitting in water, and
it wasn't. It was only receiving. It would only transmit 10 feet.
Check that you're transmitting OK with a friend's VHF.

You can see a comparison of some portable VHFs at:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/west_advisor.d2w/show_advisor?fn=107.htm&store_num=3

Some windsurfers seem to be hesitant about VHF radios vs cellphones. I
don't think you're going to get dinged for not knowing the correct
protocol in an emergency. Just ask for the Coast Guard on channel 16,
and give them some name they can identify you with (e.g., "Windsurfer
Rick"). As I recall they ask you to "Switch to Channel Twenty-Alpha"
after you make initial contact (channel 20). You no longer need to have
a license for a VHF (see http://www.cpyc.com/vhfradio.html). You can
also talk to your friends on ship-to-ship channels (see
http://www.sacdelta.com/safety/radio.html for more information, you can
use 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78) and you can make collect phone calls via the
San Francisco Marine Operator. You are only supposed to use your VHF
from a boat. So, a sailboard is a boat. If you need something in a
shopping center use an FRS radio.

Martin Frankel wrote:

> I have the small 3-watt Uniden (940?) on my desk in pieces. It's
> not waterproof. :) (My dry bag leaked and it was sitting in salt
> water for the whole winter so I'm not sure if I can really blame
> the radio.)
>
> I just bought a Garmin 720 VHF handheld at West Marine for $120.
> (It was discontinued and a display model to boot. The new model,
> 725, is $220ish and has 5 watts vs. 3, otherwise identical.)
> I've had good experiences with Garmin's waterproofing on GPSes.
> All the controls are buttons (knobs are difficult to use in a
> dry bag, and less waterproof). It's moderately compact, and
> takes alkaline batteries. Alkalines have much better shelf life
> than rechargables, and hopefully I won't be using it enough to
> need a new set more than once a season. :)
>
> I checked out the new Standard-Horizon HX460, very sweet. All
> aluminum, and the rumor is it is durable and waterproof enough
> to use without a dry bag. At $300 I wouldn't risk it. It's just
> slightly bigger than a box of cigarettes (plus antenna of
> course).
>
> Martin
>
> Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
> http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text

Next message: private address: "Re: VHF radios"
Previous message: Georg Recht: "Re: was radios now cell phones now fanny packs"
In reply to: Martin Frankel: "Re: VHF radios"
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