Archive for March, 2011
If you’re a klutz, you need a VHF floating radio…
We all have our moments, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to rest assured that your “lifeline” is safe? You know – it’s something like having your glasses in your vest pocket and reaching over the edge of the boat to land that big one and in one big sweeping pass, you net that big lunker and watch your glasses fly out of your pocket and into the drink – down – down- down and feel that helpless feeling that one has to experience rather than describe. If this sounds like a road that you may have traveled down, then you need to pick yourself up a little hand held VHF marine radio! These little radios will be your link to everything from the weather to a lifeline if needed due to the 24/7 direct link on channel 16 to the USCG for emergencies. Besides that, if the others in your party have a radio also (which they should) you can communicate with them on one of the other frequencies. What a way to go!! Happy Boater.
Start preparing for your spring fishing trip now…
Yep – that sun is getting higher in the sky and the fishing pole is calling your name! This year why not include a communication device when putting together your “must have” list for this year’s fishing trip! Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to talk between boats and coordinate your shore lunch or maybe let the other boat(s) know that you’ve decided to go to a different part of the lake or maybe (hopefully not) you have mechanical problems and need to call for assistance from one of the other boats in your party. Wouldn’t a CB Radio (even a little hand held CB radio) be the clear ticket in this case? It may not be a big item, but it could be considered priceless as far as its value if needed. Be prepared this year and good luck. Happy Boater.
DSC is now required on all new VHF Radios…
It wasn’t all that long ago when the VHF radio met with some criticism – and is still coming up against some brick walls in places like Great Britain. Fact is, the VHF radio is here to stay as it has proven itself many times over in times of emergency which has resulted in the rescue of many a life. Pretty hard to argue with success I say. Now (that is as of March 24th, 2011) any VHF marine radio that is sold as a new product must have the DSC digital capability. I’m sure, however, that some of the old radios will still turn up on the “auction” market and some in rummage sales, but the main suppliers will not be able to ship any of the old product. This will possibly result in some “out of stock” periods – hopefully very short as they have had time to react to this new law – and we’ll be on our way. I really don’t expect a huge price increase for this new service so the result is that you will receive a better radio for just a slight price increase. Enjoy the ride. Happy Boater.
Boats headed down the road means spring is nearly sprung…
Just this past weekend I took a few days and headed north to the Canadian border to visit some friends and relatives. I was surprised to find as many boats being towed north as I did because of all the snow in the ditches yet. I even saw about 200 people out on the ice with their vehicles in one place making their attempt at ice fishing. As for me, I think it’s getting a bit late in the year for heading out on the ice with a vehicle especially – but, to each his own. One guy actually launched his boat and sat right in the midst of a bunch of ice flows fishing on the Rainy River. The temp was a cool 32 degrees F. Not for me. The point I want to make is that when you start seeing all the boats on the road, it simply means that you’d better start making your final plans for updating your communication equipment as well as checking out your speaker system to make sure its working. I would suggest that this year is the year you make a commitment to your self and your guests on board to provide them with the added peace of mind knowing that the boat they are on does indeed have a functioning vhf marine radio. Happy Boater.
Shine up that boat – get ready for summer!
What good is a shiny boat without a dynamite sound system? Without great marine speakers on board to project the sound, your party will not reach the pinnacle it should have. I talked to a guy that put in a new sound system and he said that it sounded sooo good that the other boat owners shut theirs off and came over to his boat and enjoyed the evening just sitting around and swapping stories. Doesn’t that tell it all??? The marine radio receivers that are available today, combined with a pair of marine speakers are an unbeatable situation. The speakers are weather proof the point where rain or inclement weather will not affect them. Just like they say in Jamaica…”No worries”, or “No problem”…just pure entertainment for you and your guests. Upgrade your boat speakers today and see for yourself what a difference a bit of quality can add. Happy Boater.
You never know when you may have to use your VHF radio…
This past weekend I was enjoying an ice cream treat with my wife while riding around in the car. We always enjoy sitting by the lake shore and watching the action of the waves as well as boats coming and going out of the harbor. This particular evening (and it was beginning to get dusk) we spied a lone fisherman out on the lake…literally jumping from one ice flow to another to do a bit of ice fishing. Now, I enjoy ice fishing, but there’s limits to everything! No fish is worth what he was doing!! These ice floes were approximately 10′ square and he was out about 250 feet from shore in about 30 feet of water. I really thought that I’d be the one calling in an emergency call when he either slipped of the floe into the drink or simple broke through. Well that didn’t happen while we watched and I don’t know if he caught any fish, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was (in my opinion) a foolish action on his part. If a person were to try something like this, though, it would be foolish to try it without equipping your fishing outfit with a hand held VHF marine radio – one that floats!! Happy Boater.
Great to know that NOAA is there…
It is mid March in the northland. You don’t have to spend too many years in the northland before you realize that you don’t put away your winter clothes much before July because up here anything can happen. For instance – we have a major blizzard watch for the next couple of days. Now, granted there are fewer boats on the lake in the winter than in the summer, but either season is prone to a major storm. You really don’t want to be out on the lake without a marine radio that has the capability of receiving the NOAA weather channel simply because you owe it to yourself and those on board to be alert to your surroundings. Too many times boats get caught off guard because they didn’t see that front coming over the ridge which identifies the Lake Superior basin. Don’t you be one of them. It’s scary out there in the thick of things. Buy yourself some time to get to a safe harbor. Happy Boater.
VHF is a great thing in time of need…
I’m sure that there are literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of VHF Marine Radios being used in Japan today with the emergency they are dealing with. My heart goes out those folks and my prayers to those who are desperately trying to help and assist those in need. Some of those in need are having trouble even being located, I’m sure. With the hundreds of rescue teams arriving, I know they will all have to be equipped with radios that will allow them to communicate with those in charge. Those radios, I’m quite sure will be either CB’s or VHF Marine Radios – more likely the latter. Why?? Because the broadcast range is greater and the clarity of the transmissions it better and, in this case, good communication is critical to the success of the mission. I can’t even imagine what they are going through because, with the exception of the videos and pictures, I’ve never experienced anything even remotely like this. Happy Boater.
Add music to your day on the water!!
Nothing like music to liven up any party – and that party doesn’t have to be in your back yard anymore!! That party can be on your pontoon boat or your larger speed boat. It makes for a great day on the water! And how can you do this? By simply installing a marine radio on board (which, by the way, you should have anyway) and pre-recording your favorite music into an MP3 format. From that point it’s simple – just plug your memory stick into the receptacle on your marine radio and voila – you have music (your music) playing. There seems to be a magical drawing quality about music – where music is playing, there will always be listeners. Be kind to your friends and family when on the water – treat them to some great tunes! Happy Boater.
When outfitting your “emergency pack” think VHF…
Every boat should have an emergency pack. This pack can, of course, hold just about anything that you consider important but there are a few items that every bag should include. Aside from the obvious items such as a life raft and life vests, there should be flares, a knife, an extra tarp, and a hand held VHF marine radio with extra batteries. These little radios provide a BIG service to you in case of an emergency. They have about a 20 mile broadcast range over water and will actually float if you accidentally drop the radio into the “drink”. With one of these on board, one can stay in constant contact with the USCG until help arrives. This little radio also has the capability of receiving weather updates via NOAA 24/7 so you will always be in touch with the latest important information. Happy Boater.