Tomfoolery wrote:I too have a 3dB antenna on my mast. I also have a spare VHF radio (same model as the one that's wired below decks). And the same emergency backup antenna in the pic above. And a hand held VHF. And a cel phone.
For my type of sailing, I think I'm reasonably covered.
The PO's had an antenna on the stern somewhere, as witnessed by the coax that's clipped flush with the thru fitting on the near the rudder cleat and existing termination behind the radio, but I don't know why they had it. Possibly for canal use, with no mast. But my hand held does fine for that (locks and bridges), so I never worried about replacing it.
One radio is all that's needed other than a small handheld for convienence. Just run two separate antennas to the same radio, If your demisted (pretty farfetched) you can quickly plug in second antenna,
raycarlson wrote:One radio is all that's needed other than a small handheld for convienence. Just run two separate antennas to the same radio, If your demisted (pretty farfetched) you can quickly plug in second antenna,
Yup. Or keep one of those emergency deals handy for your 25 watt distress call.
Since most of us don't take our boats far offshore this should be sufficient.
Had the occasion to use it a few years ago when the connector for the mast head antenna went on the fritz.
It worked great. The suction cup held well over the weekend trip on the smooth area just forward of the mast. The line of sight was not as good as the masthead, but it did the job just fine.
25 watts with this lower antenna was much better than our 5 watt handheld, that was breaking signal.
RussMT wrote:
raycarlson wrote:One radio is all that's needed other than a small handheld for convienence. Just run two separate antennas to the same radio, If your demisted (pretty farfetched) you can quickly plug in second antenna,
Yup. Or keep one of those emergency deals handy for your 25 watt distress call.
Since most of us don't take our boats far offshore this should be sufficient.
Wind Chime wrote:We have this Shakespeare emergency antenna.
Had the occasion to use it a few years ago when the connector for the mast head antenna went on the fritz.
It worked great. The suction cup held well over the weekend trip on the smooth area just forward of the mast. The line of sight was not as good as the masthead, but it did the job just fine.
25 watts with this lower antenna was much better than our 5 watt handheld, that was breaking signal.
RussMT wrote:
raycarlson wrote:One radio is all that's needed other than a small handheld for convienence. Just run two separate antennas to the same radio, If your demisted (pretty farfetched) you can quickly plug in second antenna,
Yup. Or keep one of those emergency deals handy for your 25 watt distress call.
Since most of us don't take our boats far offshore this should be sufficient.
Yup. I would imagine the raw power of 25 watts makes up for lack of altitude and gain. Handhelds work great, but do have range limitations. I have several for dinghy use and monitoring ch16 from the cockpit.
We are getting off topic, but I could not resist adding my two cents worth into this.
We have two floating hand held radios for emergency. The most use we get out of them is when we go ashore. The admiral and I are then able to keep in touch when we go separate ways. They worked well at the Annapolis boat show in October.
NiceAft wrote:We are getting off topic, but I could not resist adding my two cents worth into this.
We have two floating hand held radios for emergency. The most use we get out of them is when we go ashore. The admiral and I are then able to keep in touch when we go separate ways. They worked well at the Annapolis boat show in October.
Ray
Not far off topic. Formal training would teach that it is illegal to operate a VHF from shore without a special permit.
The question is "Is operating a VHF on a floating dock considered on shore?"
Last edited by Russ on Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
FCC was gutted many years ago, they have next to zero enforcement staff on payroll. Just don't be rude or hog the channel and you have zero worries using your handheld anywhere.
NiceAft wrote:We are getting off topic, but I could not resist adding my two cents worth into this.
We have two floating hand held radios for emergency. The most use we get out of them is when we go ashore. The admiral and I are then able to keep in touch when we go separate ways. They worked well at the Annapolis boat show in October.
Ray
Not far off topic. Formal training would teach that it is illegal to operate a VHF from shore without a special permit.
The question is "Is operating a VHF on a floating dock considered on shore?"
I never said I was unaware.
The conversation is limited to "Where are you", and " I will meet you in __ minutes", and we never use channel 16.
NiceAft wrote:We are getting off topic, but I could not resist adding my two cents worth into this.
We have two floating hand held radios for emergency. The most use we get out of them is when we go ashore. The admiral and I are then able to keep in touch when we go separate ways. They worked well at the Annapolis boat show in October.
Ray
Not far off topic. Formal training would teach that it is illegal to operate a VHF from shore without a special permit.
The question is "Is operating a VHF on a floating dock considered on shore?"
I never said I was unaware.
The conversation is limited to "Where are you", and " I will meet you in __ minutes", and we never use channel 16.
As mentioned above, enforcement is nil and next to impossible anyway. I've done it as well. Yes, on an obscure channel.
Out here.... we're lucky people know what ch 16 is for.
We have a set of handheld Motorola FRS/GMRH radios for use on land. They work great, the same as VHF line of site just less watts than handheld VHF. (about 1w verses 5) http://www.lenbrook.com/motorola/frs_2006.htm
NiceAft wrote:
RussMT wrote:
NiceAft wrote:We are getting off topic, but I could not resist adding my two cents worth into this.
We have two floating hand held radios for emergency. The most use we get out of them is when we go ashore. The admiral and I are then able to keep in touch when we go separate ways. They worked well at the Annapolis boat show in October.
Ray
Not far off topic. Formal training would teach that it is illegal to operate a VHF from shore without a special permit.
The question is "Is operating a VHF on a floating dock considered on shore?"
I never said I was unaware.
The conversation is limited to "Where are you", and " I will meet you in __ minutes", and we never use channel 16.
...and we use the standard Horizon models that have both Marine VHF and FRS capability so we are totally legal...but I wouldn't sweat a quick conversation on 16 either way.
Wind Chime wrote:Now, officially way off topic ...
We have a set of handheld Motorola FRS/GMRH radios for use on land. They work great, the same as VHF line of site just less watts than handheld VHF. (about 1w verses 5) http://www.lenbrook.com/motorola/frs_2006.htm
I keep a similar set for hunting, skiing, hiking whatever. 1 or 5 watt depending on which call button you use to conserve power. 15km clear line of sight capability (most I've seen it work is 7Km) 1-2km in heavy areas. Even picks up the marine weather forecast. Got them 6-7 years ago for $80.
I never said I was unaware.
The conversation is limited to "Where are you", and " I will meet you in __ minutes", and we never use channel 16.[/quote][/quote]
