Johannah Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 I have a list of topics to research this winter and would like some advice. I'll put them up one at a time. First, am thinking of getting some type of VHF Radio. My fella is the sort of engineer who is not fond of gizmos and constant innovation on the grounds that they're just headed for obscolesence. He figures if it lasts 50 years, then it might be useful. We don't plan to put an electrical system into the Weekender but are thinking that some sort of radio would be a good safety feature as we start to explore the lower Chesapeake Bay (inshore only!). There are submersible handhelds and fixed-mount VHF units for $200 plus or minus. Anyone have info, opinions or whatever? If this sounds like a dumb question, just wait for the next one 8) . Quote
Charlie Jones Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 Here's the link- http://www.trailersailor.com/forums/trailersailor/index.cgi You'll get more answers than you ever imagined. Great bunch of very knowledgable people there, most of whom sail small trailerable boats. You'll find several I'm sure with experience with any unit you mention. And don't worry about being laughed at for asking what you think are dumb questions- they won't. Also, there are 6 or 7 women who post there regularly. Quote
capt jake Posted January 24, 2003 Posted January 24, 2003 Hey Jo, why does it have to be submersible?? You afraid of Paul and I? LOL LOL Quote
Johannah Posted January 25, 2003 Author Posted January 25, 2003 Hey Jake, get outta heah and go be useful. I'm starting to like the smilies. Whatta ya think. I'm a Redsox fan, born and raised so I always assume anything will "come a cropper". Quote
capt jake Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 Jo, you should know that I can't go anywhere and I can't be useful! LOL I can tell you taht i did some work on hte boat today!! first time in a month! The wonders of chiropractic and massage! Ok, Paul and I won't soak you with the squirt guns (until we se ya!). Quote
Johannah Posted January 25, 2003 Author Posted January 25, 2003 Well for real (as the kids would say) how's your battered bod, Jake? Sounds like you're feeling a bit better. Quote
capt jake Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 Thanks for asking Jo! I have been sick for nearly a month now. I went to message therapy and the chiropractor today. I feel much better today. I actually got a LOT of stuff done on the Weekender today thanks to the doc's. I finally had the doc take some x-rays. Those showed that I have a vertibrate out of alignment, big time. I actually showed him before he showed me on the x-ray! Anyway, I am feeling better tonight.. now we will see if I can sleep! I haven't been able to catch more than two hour at a time for over a month! Uh oh, I just felt some epoxy in my limited hair! To me taha is a good thing, though my hair might not think so. This is the long story cut short (right). Glad to be back in the building world. Hey Jo.... this is my pace right now..... Quote
capt jake Posted January 26, 2003 Posted January 26, 2003 Jo, any decisions on the radio?? I was thumbing through Boaters World 2002 catologue and they had several for as low as $100. Quote
T. Nelson Surbrook Posted January 26, 2003 Posted January 26, 2003 Jo, Your question about radios is right up my line, as I am our Flotilla Officer for communications. There many good handheld VHF radios on the market. If I were to make a recommendation it would be the Uniden Atlantis. At about 100 dollars it comes with a NeMiH battery and a pack to hold AA's as well. The handheld units transmit with 1 or 5 watts, which means the range, will be limited. The hardwired radios commonly seen in boats use 5 or 25 watts and have a much greater range. Plus the handhelds have short antennas, which also limits the range. If you want a really nice one check out the Standard Horizon, very nice and loaded with features. These radios can and do save lives and it is recommended that you carry one on board. The regulations require you to have the radio turned on if you have one on board. You keep the radio on Ch. 16 that is the calling and distress channel. They are not used like CB radios and the procedure for use is different. I would be happy to send you a nice sticker that describes the use of the VHF radio for your boat if you e-mail me your mailing address. You can also learn how to operate the VHF by taking a safe boating class offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the Power Squadron in your area. BTW there is no license required to operate the radio. I hope this helps. Tom Quote
capt jake Posted January 26, 2003 Posted January 26, 2003 Uniden Atlantis. At about 100 dollars That's funny, as that is exactly the one I was refering to. Just didn't have the catologue in front of me. Thanks for the communications advice. :) Quote
Johannah Posted January 26, 2003 Author Posted January 26, 2003 Tom, very helpful comments! Email on the way. Jake, don't you snitch my VHF. Quote
Johannah Posted January 27, 2003 Author Posted January 27, 2003 Ray, do you have any idea where I could find some directions for set-up of mast antenna suitable to hook up to a handheld VHF. That sounds really useful and maybe not too hard or expensive. I have also been thinking about finding an unobtrusive (if there is such a thing) radar reflector to make us more visible to the big guys in fog. The Chesapeake can get busy in summer. Do you use one? Anyone else? Quote
Arnie Eaton Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 If you have a hollow mast, it is a good place to place Al. foil in for a reflector. My mast will be birdsmouth and I will crumple up the foil as I glue it up. I will also put a coaxial cable inside for connection to a antenna at the mast head. Good idea to fasten any wires in a hollow mast to the sides or the slapping of the wires from side to side at anchor will drive you even further insane. Quote
Johannah Posted January 27, 2003 Author Posted January 27, 2003 Thanks for all the help. When I walk into a store or communicate on the net, I will not feel so ignorant. You all are terrific! And generous and knowlegible etc. Now I will return to normal. Heh, heh. Quote
capt jake Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 Ya know, there was a lengthy discussion of installing wiring in the mast a while ago. I tried a search but couldn't locate it. I can't recall what the general consensus was. Of course if you are building a hollow mast, as Arnie is, the solution is pretty straight forward. For those of us with solid masts, it is a little trickier. Arnie, if you crumple foil up in the mast (surrounding the coax for the antenna), isn't that going to interfer with the coax/antenna? I understand the reasoning for the foil, just wander what affect it will have on the radio. I will check while I am at work tommorrow on that. Quote
Arnie Eaton Posted January 28, 2003 Posted January 28, 2003 I have heard that it works well. That was many years ago. I assume that the closer the radar unit is to you the better you can be seen. As long as the boat with the radar has time and room to miss you. Anything within a 3/4 to a mile would be fine. Don't cost much and there's room not being used for anything else. (and never will) Coax wire has it's own shield around it and that shield is grounded to the radio unit so the foil will not interfer. An elect. eng. could just cut the wire lenght correctly to match the radio's freq., place it into the wooden mast (without foil) and have a hidden antenna. Quote
capt jake Posted January 29, 2003 Posted January 29, 2003 BTW, foil will have no effect on hte performance of the radio, coax or antenna. Quote
Johannah Posted January 30, 2003 Author Posted January 30, 2003 8) OK more VHF. For those of you who enjoy research even more than purchase, try pyacht.com. They have downloadable files containing the owner's manual for some of the handheld VHF units we are discussing. I have read over the manual for the Standard Horizons 350S and am advancing my ignorance briskly. All you guys with your experience flying or with emergency services leave me a bit daunted but I'm enjoying the learning process. Just received some handy safety stickers and brochure from Tom on the West Coast that got here in 2 days while our car insurance payment mailed from Philly to Philly 8 days ago still has not been received! Thanks, Tom. Now if you could just take over the inefficient insurance company. :x Quote
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