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Author
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Topic: VHF radios
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Eric
Member
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posted November 11, 2003 08:52 PM
 
Reading the post below re:Robert's log, a question was asked if Robert had a VHF radio.I was wondering how many of you all have radios, whether you have a Sandpiper or CL 16/14? Last spring I bought a handheld. In the off season, I took the CPS VHF course. For me it's a great safety tool. I'm on a small lake, so range isn't too important, there are alot of ears close by! I'm not worried about range so much because I'm not sailing long journeys on the Great Lakes. I don't have onboard charging capabilities for my battery, so the hand held doesn't drain my battery. (Ruled out a fixed mount). It has a rechargable battery pack, and also has a pack for AA cells as an option. So I keep a package of AA's onboard, just in case. The other thing I like about the handheld is that if I want to go out for a sail, I can turn on the marine weather forecast right in my living room, and know what kind of day I'll have before I leave! Thoughts, comments... Eric
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whited
unregistered
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posted November 11, 2003 11:18 PM
As you know Halifax is a major port with a fair amount of ocean going commercial traffic.
Here it just makes good sense to be able to converse with Harbour Traffic Control and the Coast Guard not to mention the ships themselves.
I have a Standard Horizon 460S with a lithium ion battery good for about 18-20 hours. I wouldn't leave home without it!
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SuperPiper
Member
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posted November 12, 2003 04:16 AM
My Sandpiper spends its summers on a land-locked lake northwest of Kingston, Ontario. If I had a VHF, it would be the only one in the region. There would be no one to chat with. A C-B radio would be more practical. I considered 2 handhelds for use as walkie-talkies, but, I think that land-based VHF use is illegal (?).
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whited
unregistered
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posted November 12, 2003 08:26 AM
At this time I have a CL 14....but use the radio on a Mirage 33.
The hard wired vhf on the Mirage is below and hard to hear , especially when the skipper blasts music on his stereo system.
grrrrr....
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elmet3
unregistered
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posted November 12, 2003 01:14 PM
I have a VHF for my Sandpiper, but didn't even install it last year. I won't need it until on the Great Lakes. Got it with my boat.
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Ken
Member
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posted November 12, 2003 03:14 PM
I'm a recognized examiner for the Restricted Operator's Certificate - Marine
This certification is given for life, and the program is administered soley by The Canadian Power & Sail Squadron.Last Wednesday we gave a 2-1/2 hour class using the CPS study guide "Radio Talk."
Tonight we'll give the test to about 22 people here in the Toronto Squadron's class. A quick review of the course material, some phonetic alphabet quizzes and then the exam. Most people pass easily, and those that don't are given some time to reconsider their answers, and to help them understand the parts that they didn't understand. Most students are successful and walk out with a good working knowledge of proper radio operating protocol and habits, as well as a temporary certificate. With the limited number of channels available to the recreational boater, and the normal summertime congestion on the calling and emergency Channel 16, it pays to have these radio operation skills. I have a wired in marine VHF tranceiver in the Sandpiper, and we used it all the time on Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay's north channel. ------------------
"Never be afraid to try something new: Professionals built the Titanic
And amateurs built the Ark."
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Eric
Member
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posted November 13, 2003 01:11 AM
Ken, if I were to go up to the North Channel, do you feel my hand held would suffice? Is there a repeater station up in that area?I should also mention that I would probably be sailing in a group for the first time. I reason that there would usually be other boat traffic in my vacinity, therefore my disadvantage in transmission range wouldn't really be much of a factor. What are your thoughts? BTW, how's life aboard? Are you settling in OK? Eric
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