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Re: Formal Training
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 11:34 am
by dlandersson
Nice topic...but are we getting way off topic?
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:17 am
by raycarlson
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,
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:17 am
by Russ
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:48 am
by Wind Chime
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 12:31 pm
by Russ
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 3:16 pm
by NiceAft
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
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:35 pm
by Russ
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?"
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:37 pm
by Hamin' X
You do know that marine VHF frequencies are not allowed for point-to-point land use?
~Rich
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:02 pm
by yukonbob
Thats what FRS/GMRS radios are for
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:52 am
by raycarlson
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:01 am
by NiceAft
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:52 am
by Russ
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.
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:30 pm
by Wind Chime
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
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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 3:32 pm
by Catigale
...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.
Re: Formal Training
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 3:51 pm
by yukonbob
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]