Marine Radio

[soggy_feet]

Re: Marine Radio

As far as I know, if you have a VHF radio on board, you're required to monitor either 16 or 9.

That doesn't mean that it happens in real life, but by the book, you should be.

I just sold some big ol mudtires I had kicking around, and I'll FINALLY be buying a VHF for myself. You can be sure that I'll be monitoring, as I hope that others would be doing the same for me if ever I got into a situation.

Also nice to call ahead to some of the waterfront bars and make sure they have a slip open for me...

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Marine Radio

Thanks for the replies Lipp and everyone else. I hoping someone local can chime in and post their comments.

The VHF radios are not expensive which is a good thing.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Marine Radio

AZ, the shore patrol/park rangers in AZ do use VHF marine radios and will be coming online with the new technology to utilize MMSI, it cannot hurt your situation to have a fixed mount Marine radio with MMSI.....Having a cell phone and GPS are just another safety blanket, nothing wrong with it at all, its your neck your preparing to save, possibly your wife and kids also.

Exactly. If you have a newer model GPS on your boat it can probably communicate with a VHF radio to automatically broadcast your location if the distress button is pushed. Another device I have (two) on my boat is a PLB - Personal Locator Beacon. These things save lives. Granted, you are on a lake and not offshore, but the Search and Rescue response sequence will be similar in the event you ever have to punch the button. The authorities get notified and they take SAR action from there.

http://www.iboats.com/ACR-AquaFix-406-Personal-Locator-Beacon-w-Onboard-GPS-ACR/dm/*******.454144219--**********.182479749--view_id.471946

 

[reddogg]

Re: Marine Radio

For inland lakes I'd say go with a good cell phone and a really good flare gun and noise makers.

red

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Marine Radio

when analysizing the need for a radio or other safety device, you have to examine your likely emergency. If you are a fair-weather boater who only goes out in water busy with other boaters, in the day time, you are not at much risk, and therefore don't need one. If you sink, you will be near other boaters you can signal. If you are in an extremely remote location where no one can hear your VHF, you don't need one, either.

This leaves aside the desire to have a radio, etc., for non-emergency reasons; that is an entirely different analysis.

Boating is not "one size fits all."

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Marine Radio

Ok maybe I'm just being paranoid and in my situation don't really need one. I do not boat in remote locations and there is help not to far away. With proper signaling devices I can get help.
Not sure if I really want an ugly VHF antenne on my boat anyway.

Thanks all.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Marine Radio

David,

How about a combination VHF radio and alarm clock? Before you get to the lake, where you may or may not need the VHF, don't you first have to get the wife and kids out of bed?

Sorry, couldn't resist. By the way, what time did you hit the lake this weekend? Just curious.....

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Marine Radio

Heh, is this 5am guy? I remember a thread, but didn't really put a name to it.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Marine Radio

David,

How about a combination VHF radio and alarm clock? Before you get to the lake, where you may or may not need the VHF, don't you first have to get the wife and kids out of bed?

Sorry, couldn't resist. By the way, what time did you hit the lake this weekend? Just curious.....

LOL Sometimes previous posts just bite me in the bum. We didn't get out to the lake this weekend. We were on a non boating trip.

I will keep you informed next time.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Marine Radio

Heh, is this 5am guy? I remember a thread, but didn't really put a name to it.

OMG so I have a reputation now. Thanks all. Hang head low.

David.
5am Boater.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Marine Radio

Ha, don't take it too hard.
Keep the sig though, thats funny.

In your defense, 5am isn't too early. I've woke up between 5am and 6, knew I was going across the lake, warmed up the boat, and took advantage of the calm waters.
Of course, thats just me, and I was sleeping on the boat to begin with...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Marine Radio

your children sent us all a PM and said to give you a hard time so they can sleep in

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Marine Radio

LOL all. You are too Funny.