Re: Countdown to launch: It's registered!!!! VHF Q's
> I have been following the Delmarva (is that correct)circumnavigation article in MAIB.
A few years ago, I was off Delmarva with a friend and he was unable
to use his cell phone because of a configuration problem. I have the
same trouble in downtown NYC with my phone. My cell phone used to
work great in the middle of Long Island Sound, but not it does not. I
assume it's because they are shutting down analog coverage as the
world goes digital.
Neither phone nor VHF is going to be 100% reliable, unfortunately. -
PHV
On Wednesday, February 27, 2002, at 07:15 PM, Chuck Leinweber wrote:
article in MAIB. In the latest segment he radioed the coast guard on
channel
16, no answer. He then contacted the Guard with his cell phone and got
an answer immediately.
If I were offshore and in distress I would rather have the radio in the
hopes
that some nearby boat would hear my call, with the cell phone as a
backup.
hal
> Glen:I have been following the Delmarva (is that correct) circumnavigation
>
> I used to take a VHF radio while coastal cruising, but now I leave it
> at home, and just take my cell phone - it's much more useful.
>
article in MAIB. In the latest segment he radioed the coast guard on
channel
16, no answer. He then contacted the Guard with his cell phone and got
an answer immediately.
If I were offshore and in distress I would rather have the radio in the
hopes
that some nearby boat would hear my call, with the cell phone as a
backup.
hal
Glen
I asked the same question 18 months ago when I started sailing my
Chebacco. I received a lot of good responses that recommended
several different options and combinations. Your needs in a Micro
won't be much different from mine.
I chose a handheld for the following reasons:
1. No need for storage batteries -- I don't want the weight, the
charging problems, or the potential acid spills.
2. I can operate the handheld while at the helm -- a clear plastic
case keeps it dry in use if there's rain or spray.
3. I can take it out of the boat and keep it dry and safe at home.
4. Range is satisfactory -- I mostly use it for weather forecasts,
but have no problem contacting Coast Guard Radio for signal check.
(They gave the signal a 4 out of 5 -- not perfect but readable.)
I'm happy with my handheld so far.
Jamie Orr
I asked the same question 18 months ago when I started sailing my
Chebacco. I received a lot of good responses that recommended
several different options and combinations. Your needs in a Micro
won't be much different from mine.
I chose a handheld for the following reasons:
1. No need for storage batteries -- I don't want the weight, the
charging problems, or the potential acid spills.
2. I can operate the handheld while at the helm -- a clear plastic
case keeps it dry in use if there's rain or spray.
3. I can take it out of the boat and keep it dry and safe at home.
4. Range is satisfactory -- I mostly use it for weather forecasts,
but have no problem contacting Coast Guard Radio for signal check.
(They gave the signal a 4 out of 5 -- not perfect but readable.)
I'm happy with my handheld so far.
Jamie Orr
When I sailed my boat up the Tenn-Tom waterway I had both hand held
and fix mounted VHFs going. I had the fixed mount on channel 16 to
listen to security messages from the towboats and my hand held to
turn on and answer back without leaving the helm. (32 ft boat).
That way I conserved the batteries in the hand held but was still
able to listen all the time. From my experiences on the Tenn Tom and
the ICW I realized that I had to keep a radio watch and announce my
position for the towboats. It's a lot safer and keeps everyone
cheerful. I havn't been in SF bay but I'd imagine it would be even
more busy. If you can operate the VHF from the helm then go for the
fixed mount. Then also there's the question of having a spare if one
breaks. As for a cell phone it worked good to call a marina to
reserve a slip for the night but it I don't think it would help one
contact an approaching towboat.
Will.
and fix mounted VHFs going. I had the fixed mount on channel 16 to
listen to security messages from the towboats and my hand held to
turn on and answer back without leaving the helm. (32 ft boat).
That way I conserved the batteries in the hand held but was still
able to listen all the time. From my experiences on the Tenn Tom and
the ICW I realized that I had to keep a radio watch and announce my
position for the towboats. It's a lot safer and keeps everyone
cheerful. I havn't been in SF bay but I'd imagine it would be even
more busy. If you can operate the VHF from the helm then go for the
fixed mount. Then also there's the question of having a spare if one
breaks. As for a cell phone it worked good to call a marina to
reserve a slip for the night but it I don't think it would help one
contact an approaching towboat.
Will.
--- In bolger@y..., "Glen Gibson" <glen@i...> wrote:
>
> Well, I must be getting close to launching my Micro, "Jack of
Hearts".
> I went to DMV (department of motor vehicles) and registered both it
and
> my trailer, and it only took me 1 hour ;-)
>
> I've got a couple last minute things to take care of, and finish the
> main boom, but the boat is definatly getting wet in March. I'll
try to
> get some digital pictures this weekend and get them up on the
web.....
>
> Gotta go buy some mumbers tonight and stick'em on the boat.....
>
> One question regarding a radio:
>
> I'm trying to decide between a handheld VHF or a fixed one with an
> antennae on the mast (or mizzen mast). I'll be sailing in San
Francisco
> bay, which has lot's of pleasure and commercial traffic, so I
definatly
> need a radio, just having a hard time deciding. The handheld is
> convenient, but the fixed is more powerful and the height of the
> antennae will give me that much more range....
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Glen
>
> From the shores of suburban-ville, feverishly wanting to go sailing
on
> the beautiful SF Bay......
Glen:
I used to take a VHF radio while coastal cruising, but now I leave it at home, and just take my cell phone - it's much more useful.
Chuck
Well, I must be getting close to launching my Micro, "Jack of Hearts".
I went to DMV (department of motor vehicles) and registered both it and
my trailer, and it only took me 1 hour ;-)
I've got a couple last minute things to take care of, and finish the
main boom, but the boat is definatly getting wet in March. I'll try to
get some digital pictures this weekend and get them up on the web.....
Gotta go buy some mumbers tonight and stick'em on the boat.....
One question regarding a radio:
I'm trying to decide between a handheld VHF or a fixed one with an
antennae on the mast (or mizzen mast). I'll be sailing in San Francisco
bay, which has lot's of pleasure and commercial traffic, so I definatly
need a radio, just having a hard time deciding. The handheld is
convenient, but the fixed is more powerful and the height of the
antennae will give me that much more range....
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Glen
Bolger rules!!!
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I used to take a VHF radio while coastal cruising, but now I leave it at home, and just take my cell phone - it's much more useful.
Chuck
Well, I must be getting close to launching my Micro, "Jack of Hearts".
I went to DMV (department of motor vehicles) and registered both it and
my trailer, and it only took me 1 hour ;-)
I've got a couple last minute things to take care of, and finish the
main boom, but the boat is definatly getting wet in March. I'll try to
get some digital pictures this weekend and get them up on the web.....
Gotta go buy some mumbers tonight and stick'em on the boat.....
One question regarding a radio:
I'm trying to decide between a handheld VHF or a fixed one with an
antennae on the mast (or mizzen mast). I'll be sailing in San Francisco
bay, which has lot's of pleasure and commercial traffic, so I definatly
need a radio, just having a hard time deciding. The handheld is
convenient, but the fixed is more powerful and the height of the
antennae will give me that much more range....
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Glen
>From the shores of suburban-ville, feverishly wanting to go sailing onthe beautiful SF Bay......
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, or flogging dead horses
- pls take "personals" off-list, stay on topic, and punctuate
- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts, snip all you like
- To order plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Fixed with the microphone clipped just inside the cabin bulkhead
would be my vote. It won't fall overboard, get wet, and has a range
of 20 to 40 miles depending on weather and antenna placement. 40
watts vs 5 watts.
David Jost
Ashland "nuts, its snowing again"
would be my vote. It won't fall overboard, get wet, and has a range
of 20 to 40 miles depending on weather and antenna placement. 40
watts vs 5 watts.
David Jost
Ashland "nuts, its snowing again"
>Francisco
> I'm trying to decide between a handheld VHF or a fixed one with an
> antennae on the mast (or mizzen mast). I'll be sailing in San
> bay, which has lot's of pleasure and commercial traffic, so Idefinatly
> need a radio, just having a hard time deciding. The handheld ison
> convenient, but the fixed is more powerful and the height of the
> antennae will give me that much more range....
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Glen
>
> From the shores of suburban-ville, feverishly wanting to go sailing
> the beautiful SF Bay......
Well, I must be getting close to launching my Micro, "Jack of Hearts".
I went to DMV (department of motor vehicles) and registered both it and
my trailer, and it only took me 1 hour ;-)
I've got a couple last minute things to take care of, and finish the
main boom, but the boat is definatly getting wet in March. I'll try to
get some digital pictures this weekend and get them up on the web.....
Gotta go buy some mumbers tonight and stick'em on the boat.....
One question regarding a radio:
I'm trying to decide between a handheld VHF or a fixed one with an
antennae on the mast (or mizzen mast). I'll be sailing in San Francisco
bay, which has lot's of pleasure and commercial traffic, so I definatly
need a radio, just having a hard time deciding. The handheld is
convenient, but the fixed is more powerful and the height of the
antennae will give me that much more range....
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Glen
From the shores of suburban-ville, feverishly wanting to go sailing on
the beautiful SF Bay......
I went to DMV (department of motor vehicles) and registered both it and
my trailer, and it only took me 1 hour ;-)
I've got a couple last minute things to take care of, and finish the
main boom, but the boat is definatly getting wet in March. I'll try to
get some digital pictures this weekend and get them up on the web.....
Gotta go buy some mumbers tonight and stick'em on the boat.....
One question regarding a radio:
I'm trying to decide between a handheld VHF or a fixed one with an
antennae on the mast (or mizzen mast). I'll be sailing in San Francisco
bay, which has lot's of pleasure and commercial traffic, so I definatly
need a radio, just having a hard time deciding. The handheld is
convenient, but the fixed is more powerful and the height of the
antennae will give me that much more range....
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Glen
From the shores of suburban-ville, feverishly wanting to go sailing on
the beautiful SF Bay......