Marine Radios

[Limits]

Can you elaborate on the benefits of the mic/speaker feature?

I usually just push the transmit button when I use my radio. Thanks

[GregAndrew]

Minimum requirements for me are Floating, Submersible, and 5w.

[AirborneYak]

Marine radio etiquette is something im not really sure about, so i did a little research. I was wondering what are channels that are monitored by the Coast guard and how would one transmit an emergency call. If we are in distress, how can we transmit our location without a GPS. Is DSC (Digital Selective Calling) important feature to have on a radio? What is VHF? What is the range of a handheld radio? Why is wattage important? Most of all, how does all this apply to us kayakers sharing the same waters as boater.

So for basic radio protocols etiquette here is a link i found.

http://www.coastalboating.net/Cruisi...dioBasics.html

TL;DR Channel 16 is used for hailing and distress signaling.

This link gives good examples of "DONTs" of radio etiquette and some explanation of radio jargon:

http://www.frugal-mariner.com/Ettiquette.html

TL;DR its a good read. go read it.

Some information for VHF radios; http://www.sierracgaux.org/vhfradios.html

TL;DR

VHF- Every channel on VHF radio has a specific purpose and transmission power is generally 6 watts or less and the transmission or the radio is directly related to its antenna height.

DSC- is an acronym for Digital Select Calling. This feature is a part of the Coast Guard's modernization of our nation's marine communications known as Rescue 21. As the name indicates, DSC is a digital transmission over channel 70 in the vhf spectrum. You must register any radio with DSC to be able to use the feature. Once registered, your radio will have a unique MMSI number ( Maritime Mobile Service Identity ). When you register, you give important details to the Coast Guard including the name of the vessel, type and length of vessel, home port, emergency contact information, and owner information. DSC can also be utilized to privately contact another vessel with a known MMSI number. This is akin to having a contact number of another cell phone. The receiving station can send a digital response. Communications would then be established by voice on a working channel such as vhf channel 68. All newly manufactured radios must have DSC. A future boating education article will go into further detail about DSC, an important innovation in marine communication.

As for GPS, it can locate your exact location when using DSC. Im not sure if paying for the extra money for the GPS feature warrants the buy, but it does give some peace of mind if youre in distress.


Since most of us are not going to hail a bridge or be out in the high seas, at least i dont think you guys do, while on our kayaks, I thought it was still good to know the procedures, protocols and etiquette of our boater brethren. I am new to kayaking and anything marine related, so looking for all this information has given me a better idea of what to expect. This is not the end-all info for radio etiquette and I am sure others can chime in and add or counter anything that i posted.

Didnt mean to hi-jack this thread, but I was looking for a marine radio and these are the issues I was wondering about. I hope this will help educate others as well. /tangant

Airborne

[Zed]

Question about you w the 6w and Greg w the 5w requirement:
Do you always transmit at the higher wattage?
Ive found that the half power is definitely adequate for kayak and mothership communication. Depending on how much you transmit you can double your battery life.
If I was in distress I would kick up to full wattage. Also w the 2.5w you arent talking over others who dont want to hear your conversations anyway since most of us dont follow. proper radio procedure.

[StinkyMatt]

I am pretty sure I broke EVERY single rule of radio use.


I've yet to use ch 16 .....

[wiredantz]

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

I am pretty sure I broke EVERY single rule of radio use.


I've yet to use ch 16 .....

we all agree on this one.

[CKallday71]

It's not the rules of the radio you break that concern most, it's the rules of personal hygiene.

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

I am pretty sure I broke EVERY single rule of radio use.


I've yet to use ch 16 .....

[GregAndrew]

Originally Posted by Zed

Question about you w the 6w and Greg w the 5w requirement:
Do you always transmit at the higher wattage?
Ive found that the half power is definitely adequate for kayak and mothership communication. Depending on how much you transmit you can double your battery life.
If I was in distress I would kick up to full wattage. Also w the 2.5w you arent talking over others who dont want to hear your conversations anyway since most of us dont follow. proper radio procedure.

You are right that for most conversations for those around you, you will not need more than half the power. But I don't like to fish in the crowds, and often will be more than a couple miles from friends of mine, let alone emergency personnel. Our little handhelds are not likely to step on anyone except those in our immediate vicinity. And even at lesser watts you are probably going to step on someone transmitting from a mile away to somebody near you. Battery life is a good point if you are on a limited recharge excursion. And you are also right that we could all do with some better radio etiquette. The original poster just asked what minimum requirements we would want in a radio, not the minimum settings we may choose. When you are a mile and a half off Manhattan Beach pier and you have an emergency, and have to contact either Redondo Beach or Marina Del Rey harbor authorities you will be glad to have a couple extra watts. Or , at least that is my thinking.

[Zed]

All good points. I was just wondering if everyone stayed on high power all the time. Like I said, in my experience (I hate people too) even on motherships, I haven't ever gone to 5w and can communicate with who I want/need to well enough. Like I said if I was in distress, I would broadcast at 5w.

I've responded to radio checks @2.5w where I was surprised I was heard.

Paddle on.

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by Limits

Can you elaborate on the benefits of the mic/speaker feature?

I usually just push the transmit button when I use my radio. Thanks

compact
easy to use
light weight
allows the main unit to be secured in a pocket/pouch

[FISH11]

I purchased a new MHS75 Uniden submersible radio with all the the things you need except it doesn't float. I purchased as a new never used product from E-Bay for $70 in December. It works great. Best buy and Walmart have it online for $99.98

[Mongo Johnson]

Uniden 135 comes in at 135.00 and is bigger than your criteria. But, it floats, has DSC, AAA and rechargeable power, handset, car charger etc. Sales guy at West Marine says their branded models are Uniden. True?