VHF Radios Advice.

nollaig · Subject: VHF Radios Advice. Sun Oct 18 2009, 19:55

Appreciate input,on VHF Radios. For SEA Kayaks.

Advice on efficent, reliable make .

Also any available for sale, within club.

PaddlingSully · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Mon Oct 19 2009, 08:40

Hi Noel,
The Icom IC-M33 or IC-M35 are the ones I've heard sea kayakers talk about most. They are both waterproof, they float and you can get an optional battery case for use with AAA alkaline batteries. Handy as a backup if the main battery dies.

Loads of info here http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/almanac_vhf.htm. If you feel like a bit of reading Noel.

Paul Heffernan · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Mon Oct 19 2009, 16:58

Sea Kayaker mag Review on VHF radios Feb 09

http://www.seakayakermag.com/2009/Feb09/handheld.htm

Assuming you only want it for when things go F.U.B.A.R. consider this;

http://www.findmespot.eu/en/
Review: http://www.seakayakermag.com/2008/October/spot.htm

If you don't know what F.U.B.A.R. means, watch Saving Private Ryan!

Paul Heff

nollaig · Subject: VHF Radios . Mon Oct 19 2009, 17:15

Excellent Guys , .

Many thanks .Had it down to Icom.
Also something that came up during research.Radios that are splashproof,advice goes insert in Waterproof Bag .
But on further reading.
Moisture condensates in bag,during warm days .or paddling.
This has caused more radio failure,than water ingress.
Just sharing a moment for discussion.
Also after speaking to Dave O'Leary .Stay away from USA marine radios.Different frequency.Jaysus the Yanks.

Muireann · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Mon Oct 19 2009, 17:31

No experience with radios, but I always put a few sachets of silica gel in my waterproof bag for my phone to help against condensation.
Muireann

James L · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Mon Oct 19 2009, 18:12

i use an alinco Vhf radio for mountaineering and it has never let me down , even after being dropped in lakes , mud and from over 10 meters , and it has a range of something like 80 kilometers

Paul Heffernan · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Tue Oct 20 2009, 10:26

Rice will do the same job as silica gel, if you don't have any sachets to hand.

You can eat it afterwards too!

patp · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Tue Oct 20 2009, 18:48

Sea water being the most corrosive substance known to man will defeat just about anything given half a chance. Double bag followed by wipedown after paddling might produce a half life of 10 mins but don't bank on it!
patp

DazL · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Tue Oct 20 2009, 22:26

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2827_11623.htm

Two Way Radios in Aldi - Noel

_________________
Kind Regards - DazL

Zuppy · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Wed Oct 21 2009, 08:47

Not VHF though. pity

Admin · Admin Number of posts: 444 Registration date: 2006-10-31

Paul Heffernan wrote:

Sea Kayaker mag Review on VHF radios Feb 09

http://www.seakayakermag.com/2009/Feb09/handheld.htm

Assuming you only want it for when things go F.U.B.A.R. consider this;

http://www.findmespot.eu/en/
Review: http://www.seakayakermag.com/2008/October/spot.htm

If you don't know what F.U.B.A.R. means, watch Saving Private Ryan!

Paul Heff

Buddy used one of these a few months ago. They work very well as a helicopter picked him from the side of a mountain in NZ following a nasty fall on a serious climb. As for its use for sea-kayaking, i'd definately only use it as a last resort. The great thing about a vhf radio is that the response is localised due to its range.

As for range, this is limited by Line of Sight (i've books on the theory of it if you wish to dispute it) When sitting in a sea-kayak, this can be as little as 2-3km upto about 7 - 10 km.

We use Icom radios in work which are exposed to some very testing conditions on a regular basis and they are 2nd to none. Very robust, easy to use and waterproof integrity is pretty good.

Don't forget, if you do have a marine vhf radion you should be licenced to use it.

nollaig · Subject: Sea Kayak Radios Thu Oct 22 2009, 17:40

Well Done Dave ,

Have dismissed most other Brands at this stage.Member has kindly loaned me a VHF marine band radio.Thank you.
As for using it.
For the moment the licence can wait .I'm sure if trouble arises,they hardly leave you drown ????. .
We plan using radios only between ourselves at sea.If emergency arises .One has VHF licence.And call sign.

I have done Basic military FFR course.
And if that dont do .Then I'm Bravo.Oscar,Lima,Unoform,Xray.Echo.Delta.

.

Zuppy · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Thu Oct 22 2009, 18:14

Bill for rescue
Fine for using radio without license.
Cost of radio

Starting to add up.

Look on her face when she can't collect life policy...Priceless

nollaig · Subject: VHF Radios Advice. Thu Oct 22 2009, 21:20

Point taken Niall.
The bill i'll deal with .The wife i'll deal with .The judge's an old friend.
But on further reading .

Coastguard can and may disregard your distress call.If you dont have a valid checkable, call sign, now thats a kick.

Me thinks I'll book a course ASAP.And continue using the phone.
Again thanks for input.

Zuppy · Subject: Re: VHF Radios Advice. Thu Oct 22 2009, 22:54

Yip the coast guard may. And the Navy may board your vessel and the customs might seize your cargo....

I would still prefer to carry a radio and call for help and suffer the fallout/ embarrassment as opposed to the alternative.

We had this on another thread but once again, if you carry safety gear, then you better know how to use it. License or not.