Archive for the ‘VHF Hand Held Radios’ Category
Hand Held VHF Radios come in “handy”.
With the newest style of hand held VHF marine radios available, they are so compact that they can be stowed away until they are needed (that is – IF they’re needed). We all hope when we have made the investment (which is really very reasonable) in a VHF Marine Radio that we never have need of using it to call for help when out on the water. But what a sense of security it offers the boat owner if the need arose call the Coast Guard for help and know that they will be monitoring their end of the radio 24/7 if you need them!! A lot of folks put 2 VHF marine radios on board – one is a fixed unit for daily use and the other a hand held unit which is stowed in the “emergency bag” to take with in the event that a person had to transfer to a life raft. Most of these hand held VHF marine radios are not only waterproof to about a meter, but they float as well – a real handy thing to have on board!! Happy Boater.
VHF – a likely lifeline…
I know its still August as I write this, but in just a couple months we will have November staring us in the face again. With that realization, it isn’t a far fetched reach to realize that November can bring with it some nasty storms on the lakes – at least around the area I am familiar with around Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. Having a VHF Marine Radio on board gives you access to broadcasts sent out 24/7 by the US Coast Guard – advising boaters of incoming storm systems as well as other things that may hamper your great day on the water. Some of those broadcasts may be the one thing that may give you just enough time to get off the lake to a safe harbor before the waves became too treacherous. VHF Marine Radios are really not that expensive and are available even as a hand held VHF marine radio style. Many of the hand held units are waterproof to a minimum depth and float as well if dropped into the deep blue. Take a minute and consider how little money it really takes to be safe! Happy Boater.
Smooth sailing is a great target for a day on the water!
Smooth sailing is always on the top of the “desire list” when heading out on the deep blue with your favorite friends, favorite fishing gear, and favorite music. What happens when something goes wrong out there? Will you be prepared for that unexpected squall? These days, there is really no reason that everyone couldn’t have a very affordable VHF Marine Radio on board. They are available as both a hand held VHF marine radio model as well as a fixed mount VHF marine radio. I’m sure one is available to fit both your wallet and your communication needs. Check them out at www.marineradiosonline.com. Happy boater.
VHF is not a direction, but a way to go…
It’s a given that having a VHF radio on board can be the difference between being safe and not safe! Part of that safety factor comes from being alerted 24/7 on the weather broadcasts and alerts from the US Coast Guard regarding any fast moving systems that may be coming your way. They make sure everyone is alerted in enough time to allow them to get off the water – or at least get to a marine refuge area. The NOAA weather channel broadcasts constantly also and will also alert you incoming weather systems. I know just how fast a calm sea can whip up into a frenzy. It really isn’t fun when you find yourself caught in something like that. Be safe and keep your passengers safe. Always have a VHF marine radio on board – either a hand held VHF Radio, or a fixed mount VHF radio. Who knows – maybe your life depends on it!! Happy Boater.
Summer is a very good reason to think VHF!
With the summer season comes the unpredictable weather patterns that sometimes haunt us. As I have been observing the weather this season – even if its very early into the summer boating season, it seem like we’ve had more than our share of bad weather creeping up just about everywhere across this nation of ours! Weather is one of those entities that will always be with us and the weathermen seem to have a very high error margin when predicting weather patterns around a large body of water. For instance, today was supposed to be stormy, but we had one of the most beautiful days that anyone would ever ask for! Not complaining, of course, but just observing the error margin once again. Having a VHF Marine Radio (either hand held or fixed) installed in your boat will ensure the early weather warnings that are broadcast 24/7 on the NOAA channel and the US Coast Guard will also alert the boaters who are properly monitoring channel 16 when boating. Let’s be safe this summer – be alert and respectful of the rapidly changing weather conditions. Don’t be caught unprepared! Happy Boater.
Channel 16 used as a ‘clearing’ channel…
The US Coast Guard has set aside certain frequencies to be used for certain things. One of those channel frequencies is channel 22A. On this channel, you will hear marine information broadcasts. Now, on your VHF Marine Radio (either hand held or fixed), you will occasionally hear an announcement on channel 16 from the US Coast Guard telling all boaters that they have some information that they think may be of interest to you. You then have the choice to turn to channel 22A or to simply not take heed to the announcement. They would generally request that anyone wanting to hear the information should turn to channel 22A. …and remember – Channels 9 and 16 are still to be used only for calling another vessel. Once you reach your party, you should always turn to a “non-commercial” frequency such as channel 68 to continue your conversation (this would be termed a “working channel”). That way you don’t tie up the channel other boats are monitoring and then you eliminate “chatter” so other boaters can enjoy the peace and quiet they probably wanted for their day on the water. Happy Boater.
Is “splish splash” a good sound??
Normally, when you’re out on the water, the sound of something hitting the water isn’t necessarily a good sound. I was out on a fishing charter a few years back out of the Duluth-Superior harbor out on Lake Superior fishing for lake trout and salmon. We had a couple of deep lines out and noticed that the one on the port side of the boat was seriously bending down. I reached for it and announced “fish on”. The captain told me to stop for a minute before taking that pole out of the holder. He said that he had rarely seen that pole with such weight on it and told me to get a good grip BEFORE I took it from its mooring. Otherwise, he told me that 2 splashes would follow……the first would be his new pole and reel hitting the water, and the next would be me!! Well, needless to say, I’m still here so all went well, but after a half hour fight with whatever was on the end of my pole (we suspected a large atlantic salmon) let go and I never got a chance to view what I had hold of. Oh well – it was a lot of fun! Now with the technology that is offered with the new hand held VHF Marine Radios, you don’t have to worry about getting them wet as they are waterproof up to a meter below the water for roughly 30 minutes. That makes them a great asset to have on board a life raft – or simply for fumble fingered users! Have a great day on the water. Happy Boater.
A VHF gift!
How many times do you get to give a gift that both classifies as a “gadget” (with real buttons that we all know is an important element in a guy’s gift!) as well as a very sophisticated piece of safety communication equipment? My guess would be not very often. Why not make this year the year that you give the gift that can really give back if an emergency ever happened while on the water? Not a lot of money has to be spent, as these units (both fixed VHF Marine Radios and Hand Held VHF Marine Radios) have become very affordable for the end users. Ladies – Father’s Day is coming! This would be a GREAT investment in your family – even if you some day were able to avoid a storm by receiving the auto updated weather broadcasts (NOAA). What a gift! Happy Boater.
What are the “pro-words” that I’m supposed to use?
When using your VHF Marine Radio or Hand Held VHF Marine Radio, there are certain things that are expected of you. One of them listed as part of the “proper operating procedure” is to use “pro-words” based on the English language. Now – what in the world am I talking about? Instead of saying “yeah” or “ok” or “I didn’t hear you”, there are words and phrases that are more acceptable for easier deciphering of the transmission. Such words are … Acknowledge, All after, All before, All stations, Confirm, Correct, Correction, In figures, In letters, Over, Out, Radio check, Read back, Received, Repeat, Say again, Spell, Standby, Station calling, This is, Wait, Word after, Word Before, and Wrong. If you use these phrases and words to communicate when using your VHF Marine Radio, you will realize a heightened level of understanding and success in getting your communication clearly sent to the recipient. It will also become increasing easier to understand what is being said when someone else is communicating with you. Happy Boater.
Why do people talk so funny on their marine radio???
They may not be talking funny at all – they may be following the “proper operating procedure” for using their marine radio. Their are 6 basic operating rules that should be followed for proper use of your VHF Marine Radio. These include…
- Listening for 2 minutes before transmitting
- Using Channel 16 only to establish communication (if necessary) and then switch to a different channel
- Using a set of international “calling” procedures such as the “Mayday” distress call, the “Pan-pan” urgency call and “securit’e'” navigational hazard call
- Using “Pro-words” based on the English language
- Using the NATO phonetic alphabet
- Using a phonetic numbering system based on the English language
I’ll try to address these items in more detail on subsequent blogs to clarify what they mean. These items are mainly for use of the VHF marine radio an the handheld VHF Marine Radio. Enjoy your day on the water and be safe! Happy Boater.