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boat to shore communication
I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over
distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? Unfortunately there is no cellphone coverage in the area. At least not with our carrier. del cecchi |
"Del Cecchi" wrote in message ... I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. Not legal either. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Not legal either. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Two or three miles over open water. .. Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Even FRS is only good for 5 miles max. If you are up to taking a pretty simple test then a Tech class ham license will allow you to use radios that will work. Handhelds if you have a repeater nearby. Good ole CBs may be a solution. Cheap and can generally do 10 miles. Doug, k3qt Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? Unfortunately there is no cellphone coverage in the area. At least not with our carrier. del cecchi |
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Message-ID: X-Complaints-To: X-Abuse-Info: Please forward a copy of all headers for proper handling X-Trace: npbhgpngjbkmjfegdbdpiflmbcekedmfhojhikkbagflhcboml kibcjhgakienhmejgjiijhoejndpjjidmpleaiinijddbialpn flbapfokdkpeondnhmgimenceljkfgcmmgfccglpemhihedcfm holdhlfghb NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 05 May 2005 09:50:47 EDT Organization: BellSouth Internet Service Date: Thu, 05 May 2005 13:50:47 GMT Xref: number1.nntp.dca.giganews.com rec.boats.electronics:60024 On 2005-05-05 said: CB it's all according. Sometimes 10 miles can be a push if you've got the skip rolling good and some loudmouth redneck yelling "how 'bout it skipland!!!" when you're trying to talk between you. Skip isn;t a possability at 10 miles. Groundwave only. True but the skip can easily overwhelm the ground wave station you're trying to hear at 10 miles. without a good gain antenna at both ends chances are good you're going to be fighting to be heard over the trash. True, so install a good antenna. YEs but I'd still suggest something vhf or uhf. gO marine vhf or gmrs. GMRS is legal, marine isn't. YEs there is the problem of the shore station on marine vhf. YEs both require some licensing, but it's well worth it in the long run. License or not, marine is illegal for the proposed situation. in the market here boys! Who's gonna be the first to plug it? HEre in the states we've got the new Murs service on vhf. DOn't know how that would do you for a 10 mile range but with a decent antenna on both ends it might work. YOu could probably use your same marine vhf antenna for the murs frequencies. YEs indeed a hole in the market, but I wouldn't ever want to depend on cb for anything except maybe running up and down the highway and communicating with the vehicles within a mile or two of me. Have seen times when to get ten mile range I had to put a little more fire in the wire than the legal 5 watts. Richard Webb, amateur radio callsign nf5b active on the Maritime Mobile service network, 14.300 mhz REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email -- |
Sounds like you want to move quickly.
The legal options are amateur radio, citizen's band radio, and GMRS. Amateur radio and GMRS require licenses, the latter is obtained for only a fee, the former requires an exam. You don't say what kind of boat. A high-gain antenna on the boat and/or high power would probably give you the range you need with GMRS. It is a UHF system. FRS would probably not do the trick, as Doug suggested. Do a web search on GMRS and you'll get all your questions answered. There is a news group of sometime questionable protocols that might be willing to help you determine whether CB radio would work for you. It is rec.radio.cb. Give it a try. Good luck Chuck Del Cecchi wrote: I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? Unfortunately there is no cellphone coverage in the area. At least not with our carrier. del cecchi |
wrote in message ... On 2005-05-04 said: There is a news group of sometime questionable protocols that might be willing to help you determine whether CB radio would work for you. It is rec.radio.cb. Give it a try. Good luck Nah I wouldn't suggest using cb for anything, maybe cb'ers for target practice. HEre's why. THe original poster says: Del Cecchi wrote: I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? NO cell phone coverage in the area, get a regular marine unit for the cabin, forget the charger unless you want battery backup. Even then get a 12 volt dc power supply to power the radio and/or float charge your battery so that you have the radio powered even if the cabin loses electrical power from mains service. YOu can install a decent antenna on the roof of the cabin or somewhere else and have 10 miles or so easy. And the fact that there is a big fine if you get caught isn;t a factor? CB it's all according. Sometimes 10 miles can be a push if you've got the skip rolling good and some loudmouth redneck yelling "how 'bout it skipland!!!" when you're trying to talk between you. Skip isn;t a possability at 10 miles. Groundwave only. AT ten miles without a good gain antenna at both ends chances are good you're going to be fighting to be heard over the trash. True, so install a good antenna. gO marine vhf or gmrs. GMRS is legal, marine isn't. YEs both require some licensing, but it's well worth it in the long run. License or not, marine is illegal for the proposed situation. Ham has the same thing with rigs, not many vhf/uhf rigs made to run off a/c mains power, so in those cases a decent power supply to power a mobile and a decent base station antenna will be better investments than a cb radio for reliability. Richard Webb, amateur radio callsign nf5b active on the Maritime Mobile service network, 14.300 mhz REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email -- |
On Wed, 4 May 2005 14:30:19 -0500, "Del Cecchi"
wrote: I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? Yes, or just a 12-Volt DC supply. Look at the radios in marina dock offices. They are standard fixed mount marine radios. Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry. - Richard Dawkins, "Viruses of the Mind" |
Doug Dotson wrote:
wrote in message ... On 2005-05-04 said: There is a news group of sometime questionable protocols that might be willing to help you determine whether CB radio would work for you. It is rec.radio.cb. Give it a try. Good luck Nah I wouldn't suggest using cb for anything, maybe cb'ers for target practice. HEre's why. THe original poster says: Del Cecchi wrote: I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? NO cell phone coverage in the area, get a regular marine unit for the cabin, forget the charger unless you want battery backup. Even then get a 12 volt dc power supply to power the radio and/or float charge your battery so that you have the radio powered even if the cabin loses electrical power from mains service. YOu can install a decent antenna on the roof of the cabin or somewhere else and have 10 miles or so easy. And the fact that there is a big fine if you get caught isn;t a factor? CB it's all according. Sometimes 10 miles can be a push if you've got the skip rolling good and some loudmouth redneck yelling "how 'bout it skipland!!!" when you're trying to talk between you. Skip isn;t a possability at 10 miles. Groundwave only. AT ten miles without a good gain antenna at both ends chances are good you're going to be fighting to be heard over the trash. True, so install a good antenna. gO marine vhf or gmrs. GMRS is legal, marine isn't. YEs both require some licensing, but it's well worth it in the long run. License or not, marine is illegal for the proposed situation. Ham has the same thing with rigs, not many vhf/uhf rigs made to run off a/c mains power, so in those cases a decent power supply to power a mobile and a decent base station antenna will be better investments than a cb radio for reliability. Richard Webb, amateur radio callsign nf5b active on the Maritime Mobile service network, 14.300 mhz REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email Seems like there's a hole in the market here boys! Who's gonna be the first to plug it? -- -- Digital Photo-charts fo all UK areas. Remove 'nospam' to reply. |
"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message ... Doug Dotson wrote: wrote in message ... On 2005-05-04 said: There is a news group of sometime questionable protocols that might be willing to help you determine whether CB radio would work for you. It is rec.radio.cb. Give it a try. Good luck Nah I wouldn't suggest using cb for anything, maybe cb'ers for target practice. HEre's why. THe original poster says: Del Cecchi wrote: I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? NO cell phone coverage in the area, get a regular marine unit for the cabin, forget the charger unless you want battery backup. Even then get a 12 volt dc power supply to power the radio and/or float charge your battery so that you have the radio powered even if the cabin loses electrical power from mains service. YOu can install a decent antenna on the roof of the cabin or somewhere else and have 10 miles or so easy. And the fact that there is a big fine if you get caught isn;t a factor? CB it's all according. Sometimes 10 miles can be a push if you've got the skip rolling good and some loudmouth redneck yelling "how 'bout it skipland!!!" when you're trying to talk between you. Skip isn;t a possability at 10 miles. Groundwave only. AT ten miles without a good gain antenna at both ends chances are good you're going to be fighting to be heard over the trash. True, so install a good antenna. gO marine vhf or gmrs. GMRS is legal, marine isn't. YEs both require some licensing, but it's well worth it in the long run. License or not, marine is illegal for the proposed situation. Ham has the same thing with rigs, not many vhf/uhf rigs made to run off a/c mains power, so in those cases a decent power supply to power a mobile and a decent base station antenna will be better investments than a cb radio for reliability. Richard Webb, amateur radio callsign nf5b active on the Maritime Mobile service network, 14.300 mhz REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email Seems like there's a hole in the market here boys! Who's gonna be the first to plug it? Yes, it seems as if there is no solution. VHF is unlawful, GMRS is too expensive and won't go far enough if I understand correctly, at least without a elaborate base station. CB is the only hope, and it is reportedly still overpopulated with obscenity and lunacy. :-( It is only an 18 foot fishing boat on a lake in northern Minnesota. del cecchi |
"Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote Yes, or just a 12-Volt DC supply. Look at the radios in marina dock offices. They are standard fixed mount marine radios. Marinas, radio repair shops and other businesses engaged in servicing boats on the water can apply for a land based marine VHF station license but individuals can't. It is illegal for a private individual to transmit on marine VHF frequencies while ashore, period. The penalties are pretty serious and as with the self appointed newsgroup police we have recently been infected with here, there are plenty of self appointed airways police out there just itching to turn you in. -- Glenn Ashmore I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com |
In article ,
"Dennis Pogson" wrote: Doug Dotson wrote: wrote in message ... On 2005-05-04 said: There is a news group of sometime questionable protocols that might be willing to help you determine whether CB radio would work for you. It is rec.radio.cb. Give it a try. Good luck Nah I wouldn't suggest using cb for anything, maybe cb'ers for target practice. HEre's why. THe original poster says: Del Cecchi wrote: I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? NO cell phone coverage in the area, get a regular marine unit for the cabin, forget the charger unless you want battery backup. Even then get a 12 volt dc power supply to power the radio and/or float charge your battery so that you have the radio powered even if the cabin loses electrical power from mains service. YOu can install a decent antenna on the roof of the cabin or somewhere else and have 10 miles or so easy. And the fact that there is a big fine if you get caught isn;t a factor? CB it's all according. Sometimes 10 miles can be a push if you've got the skip rolling good and some loudmouth redneck yelling "how 'bout it skipland!!!" when you're trying to talk between you. Skip isn;t a possability at 10 miles. Groundwave only. AT ten miles without a good gain antenna at both ends chances are good you're going to be fighting to be heard over the trash. True, so install a good antenna. gO marine vhf or gmrs. GMRS is legal, marine isn't. YEs both require some licensing, but it's well worth it in the long run. License or not, marine is illegal for the proposed situation. Ham has the same thing with rigs, not many vhf/uhf rigs made to run off a/c mains power, so in those cases a decent power supply to power a mobile and a decent base station antenna will be better investments than a cb radio for reliability. Richard Webb, amateur radio callsign nf5b active on the Maritime Mobile service network, 14.300 mhz REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email Seems like there's a hole in the market here boys! Who's gonna be the first to plug it? -- -- Digital Photo-charts fo all UK areas. Remove 'nospam' to reply. There isn't a hole in the market, there is a Giant Regulatory Roadblock for noncommercial Maritime Shore Stations. They are not LEGAL by ITU Regulation, not just in the USofA. Bruce in alaska -- add a 2 before @ |
It is a piece of cake for 2 meter amateur. I suspect that I could coach a
10 year old in to passing the test in 3 or 4 hours. Adults should take half that long. You could also declare yourself to be a marina and hang a little sign on your cabin that says so. That can lead to legal marine VHF. Finally you can declare your cabin to be the vessel SS Cabin and install a VHF. If questioned always claim you are communicating from the skiff moored at the dock. Put a handheld in a skiff if you really want to be careful. The probability of being nailed in a rural lake setting is so just below that of the almighty reaching from the sky with a lightning bolt and smiting you. For the record it is illegal ...but then so are a number of the other rewarding things in life. Jim Donohue "Del Cecchi" wrote in message ... I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? Unfortunately there is no cellphone coverage in the area. At least not with our carrier. del cecchi |
Bruce in Alaska wrote:
In article , "Dennis Pogson" wrote: Doug Dotson wrote: wrote in message ... On 2005-05-04 said: There is a news group of sometime questionable protocols that might be willing to help you determine whether CB radio would work for you. It is rec.radio.cb. Give it a try. Good luck Nah I wouldn't suggest using cb for anything, maybe cb'ers for target practice. HEre's why. THe original poster says: Del Cecchi wrote: I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? NO cell phone coverage in the area, get a regular marine unit for the cabin, forget the charger unless you want battery backup. Even then get a 12 volt dc power supply to power the radio and/or float charge your battery so that you have the radio powered even if the cabin loses electrical power from mains service. YOu can install a decent antenna on the roof of the cabin or somewhere else and have 10 miles or so easy. And the fact that there is a big fine if you get caught isn;t a factor? CB it's all according. Sometimes 10 miles can be a push if you've got the skip rolling good and some loudmouth redneck yelling "how 'bout it skipland!!!" when you're trying to talk between you. Skip isn;t a possability at 10 miles. Groundwave only. AT ten miles without a good gain antenna at both ends chances are good you're going to be fighting to be heard over the trash. True, so install a good antenna. gO marine vhf or gmrs. GMRS is legal, marine isn't. YEs both require some licensing, but it's well worth it in the long run. License or not, marine is illegal for the proposed situation. Ham has the same thing with rigs, not many vhf/uhf rigs made to run off a/c mains power, so in those cases a decent power supply to power a mobile and a decent base station antenna will be better investments than a cb radio for reliability. Richard Webb, amateur radio callsign nf5b active on the Maritime Mobile service network, 14.300 mhz REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email Seems like there's a hole in the market here boys! Who's gonna be the first to plug it? -- -- Digital Photo-charts fo all UK areas. Remove 'nospam' to reply. There isn't a hole in the market, there is a Giant Regulatory Roadblock for noncommercial Maritime Shore Stations. They are not LEGAL by ITU Regulation, not just in the USofA. Well you can't blame the world's many governments for wanting to keep control of the airwaves. You would have a million DJ's pumping out their drivel, ad infinitum. The guy mentions medical issues, maybe there are mitigating circumstances, such as the authorities not wishing to pay his funeral expenses, plus compensation to his spouse? A homing pidgeon is surely within the law, even in the USofA? I have several for sale, male and female, from $10K each. Dennis. -- Remove 'nospam' to reply. |
So to summarize, with the possible exception of CB there is no legal way for
me to keep in contact while out fishing that is affordable and likely to work. However, since I am pretty well off in the boonies with no Coast Guard and few federal officials I could likely get away with VHF, since it would really be difficult to distinguish my "base station" from another boat, and boat to boat communication is perfectly all right. Besides by the time they tracked me down summer would be over. :-) del |
In article ,
"Del Cecchi" wrote: So to summarize, with the possible exception of CB there is no legal way for me to keep in contact while out fishing that is affordable and likely to work. However, since I am pretty well off in the boonies with no Coast Guard and few federal officials I could likely get away with VHF, since it would really be difficult to distinguish my "base station" from another boat, and boat to boat communication is perfectly all right. Besides by the time they tracked me down summer would be over. :-) del Well Yes, all that you state is true, but a Person with an Ounce of PERSONAL INTEGRITY, wouldn't violate the Law just for convience. Actually you could very easily just get yourself a Business Radio Service License, and use Land Mobile VHF Radios and be perfectly LEGAL, in all respects. I am suprised no one else came up with that option. It is what Business Radio Service is all about. You will not get your own Private Frequency, but a shared frequency with PL would do you just spiffy..... Bruce in alaska once an FCC Field Agent......... -- add a 2 before @ |
"Bruce in Alaska" wrote in message ... In article , "Del Cecchi" wrote: So to summarize, with the possible exception of CB there is no legal way for me to keep in contact while out fishing that is affordable and likely to work. However, since I am pretty well off in the boonies with no Coast Guard and few federal officials I could likely get away with VHF, since it would really be difficult to distinguish my "base station" from another boat, and boat to boat communication is perfectly all right. Besides by the time they tracked me down summer would be over. :-) del Well Yes, all that you state is true, but a Person with an Ounce of PERSONAL INTEGRITY, wouldn't violate the Law just for convience. Actually you could very easily just get yourself a Business Radio Service License, and use Land Mobile VHF Radios and be perfectly LEGAL, in all respects. I am suprised no one else came up with that option. It is what Business Radio Service is all about. You will not get your own Private Frequency, but a shared frequency with PL would do you just spiffy..... Bruce in alaska once an FCC Field Agent......... -- add a 2 before @ Well Bruce, did you ever drive faster than 55 between 1980 and a few years ago? :-) Anyway, I was just summarizing options. So where does one buy those business radios, and what does the license cost? del |
On Thu, 5 May 2005 10:01:06 -0400, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote: "Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote Yes, or just a 12-Volt DC supply. Look at the radios in marina dock offices. They are standard fixed mount marine radios. Marinas, radio repair shops and other businesses engaged in servicing boats on the water can apply for a land based marine VHF station license but individuals can't. It is illegal for a private individual to transmit on marine VHF frequencies while ashore, period. The penalties are pretty serious and as with the self appointed newsgroup police we have recently been infected with here, there are plenty of self appointed airways police out there just itching to turn you in. I was not engaged in legal advice, just practical. But I wonder just how many people are sitting listening to all channels in Northern Minnesota, just hoping to hear a violation? And, on hearing some heinous act, such as speaking French, calling the nearest USCG station hoping they will send a helicopter to chase down the culprit? I have overheard some hilarious conversations on Channel 06 within range of Station Jonesport. Often it sounded as if a fisherman's wife was calling him from home about some household matter. If they had used 16 the CG would have told them to take it to a working frequency, but on 06 they wouldn't hear it ordinarily, nor care if they did. But of course, I had no way of knowing where the actual transmission took place. I have also heard fishermen in New Hampshire waters conversing in French on a [shudder] international channel. The unspeakable crimes that go unpunished every day!! Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry. - Richard Dawkins, "Viruses of the Mind" |
Since Ch 06 is a safety channel, you generally get chased off pretty
quickly if engaging in idle chitchat. We used to use Ch 6 while traveling in a group and one of our group is retired CG. "Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote in message ... On Thu, 5 May 2005 10:01:06 -0400, "Glenn Ashmore" wrote: "Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote Yes, or just a 12-Volt DC supply. Look at the radios in marina dock offices. They are standard fixed mount marine radios. Marinas, radio repair shops and other businesses engaged in servicing boats on the water can apply for a land based marine VHF station license but individuals can't. It is illegal for a private individual to transmit on marine VHF frequencies while ashore, period. The penalties are pretty serious and as with the self appointed newsgroup police we have recently been infected with here, there are plenty of self appointed airways police out there just itching to turn you in. I was not engaged in legal advice, just practical. But I wonder just how many people are sitting listening to all channels in Northern Minnesota, just hoping to hear a violation? And, on hearing some heinous act, such as speaking French, calling the nearest USCG station hoping they will send a helicopter to chase down the culprit? I have overheard some hilarious conversations on Channel 06 within range of Station Jonesport. Often it sounded as if a fisherman's wife was calling him from home about some household matter. If they had used 16 the CG would have told them to take it to a working frequency, but on 06 they wouldn't hear it ordinarily, nor care if they did. But of course, I had no way of knowing where the actual transmission took place. I have also heard fishermen in New Hampshire waters conversing in French on a [shudder] international channel. The unspeakable crimes that go unpunished every day!! Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry. - Richard Dawkins, "Viruses of the Mind" |
On Fri, 6 May 2005 21:34:12 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote: Since Ch 06 is a safety channel, you generally get chased off pretty quickly if engaging in idle chitchat. We used to use Ch 6 while traveling in a group and one of our group is retired CG. In eastern Maine, it is a chit-chat channel for the commercial fishermen, full time. Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry. - Richard Dawkins, "Viruses of the Mind" |
"Rodney Myrvaagnes" wrote in message ... On Fri, 6 May 2005 21:34:12 -0400, "Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote: Since Ch 06 is a safety channel, you generally get chased off pretty quickly if engaging in idle chitchat. We used to use Ch 6 while traveling in a group and one of our group is retired CG. In eastern Maine, it is a chit-chat channel for the commercial fishermen, full time. I suppose that such chit-chat can be considered safety related. Not so around here. Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a The meme for blind faith secures its own perpetuation by the simple unconscious expedient of discouraging rational inquiry. - Richard Dawkins, "Viruses of the Mind" |
In article ,
"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote: Since Ch 06 is a safety channel, you generally get chased off pretty quickly if engaging in idle chitchat. We used to use Ch 6 while traveling in a group and one of our group is retired CG. The problem with Marine Channel 06, is that it is a "Ship to Ship Only" Channel and the USCG Coast stations don't monitor it like they do Marine Ch. 16 and Marine Ch 22A, so really no one is "Official" is monitoring Ch. 06 anymore since the FCC closed all the Fixed Base Monitoring Stations that had VHf Capability in the Field Offices. the USCG keeps Ch. 16 cleaned up and the Big boys keep Ch. 13 fairly clean, but Ch. 06 is kindof like "NoMans Land" these days. Bruce in alaska -- add a 2 before @ |
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In article ,
"Del Cecchi" wrote: Well Bruce, did you ever drive faster than 55 between 1980 and a few years ago? :-) Anyway, I was just summarizing options. So where does one buy those business radios, and what does the license cost? del Nope, I live far out in the alaskan bush, and I don't drive on Federal Roads. There aren't any around here, In fact, the nearest road, that connects to anywhere, is 350 miles north. Any Radio Shop in the phonebook can sell you the radios, and they also can help you with the licensing paperwork. The license is a bit over $100US as I recall, but that is good for 5 or 10 years. I still do FCC License Consulting, but I am not cheap. ( $160US/hr ) Mostly Marine Coast Stations and Specialty Exemption Requests, and I still have a bunch of good contacts in Gettysburg, PA. Just finished a bunch of RadioLocation Experimental STA's for some small protable Radar Speed Sensers last month. They are used in RollerCoaster Testing all around the US, and exceed Part 15 Power Levels, hence the requirement for the STA's, (Special Temperary Authority) untill Licensing can figure out what FCC Form the Permenant Station License needs to be applied for, on, and exactly what Service they are going to License these devices under. Navigating the FCC Licensing Forms is a major pain in the ass, but if you know exactly what "Buzz Words", to stick in which boxes, you can usually get an application "Granted" first time thru. If not, you lose your Application Fee, and have to start over. That is what makes Licensing Consulting, such a profitable sideline. Bruce in alaska -- add a 2 before @ |
I guess everyone here thinks this is an American group?
Just get two marine radios. Set one up as base at home & the other in the boat. Range on mine is easily 15 miles & more like 20. Totally legal & no license required. OK, so I'm in Australia but I didn't read where it said "USA". Yep, they're marine CB radios. GME 10 Channel AM 27Mhz Transceiver - GX294 Cat. 631AX BIAS Price $154.90 Found here.......... http://www.biasboating.com.au/radios_two_way.html "Jim Donohue" wrote in message news:9yzee.10844$fI.8130@fed1read05... It is a piece of cake for 2 meter amateur. I suspect that I could coach a 10 year old in to passing the test in 3 or 4 hours. Adults should take half that long. You could also declare yourself to be a marina and hang a little sign on your cabin that says so. That can lead to legal marine VHF. Finally you can declare your cabin to be the vessel SS Cabin and install a VHF. If questioned always claim you are communicating from the skiff moored at the dock. Put a handheld in a skiff if you really want to be careful. The probability of being nailed in a rural lake setting is so just below that of the almighty reaching from the sky with a lightning bolt and smiting you. For the record it is illegal ...but then so are a number of the other rewarding things in life. Jim Donohue "Del Cecchi" wrote in message ... I am looking for a way to communicate from boat to my spouse on shore over distances of less than 10 miles. This is due to some medical issues I have. I have looked at VHF radios, but there seem to be few that plug into 110 for cabin use. I could just go with a couple of hand helds if that would have the range. Does anyone have experience with the range of VHF Handhelds? Any suggestions for a unit for the Cabin? Or do I just get a boat unit, a battery and a charger? Unfortunately there is no cellphone coverage in the area. At least not with our carrier. del cecchi |
"Doug Dotson" dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote in
: And the fact that there is a big fine if you get caught isn;t a factor? Hee hee....I knew someone who ran a pest control business in Greenville, SC, up in the SC mountains on marine channel 10 for many years. He had a 70' tower at his office quite high in altitude running 25W to the 25W mobiles. I guess FCC doesn't listen to marine radio much in the mountains....(c; |
"Del Cecchi" wrote in
: So to summarize, with the possible exception of CB there is no legal way for me to keep in contact while out fishing that is affordable and likely to work. However, since I am pretty well off in the boonies with no Coast Guard and few federal officials I could likely get away with VHF, since it would really be difficult to distinguish my "base station" from another boat, and boat to boat communication is perfectly all right. Besides by the time they tracked me down summer would be over. :-) del Del, the solution is very simple. Go to: http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl and click on the Technician License test. Sit with the wife and study the simple questions. We GIVE THEM AWAY! You don't have to learn anything but these actual test questions, multiple guess. Ham radio isn't about electronics any more. It's just a tested CB. Keep taking the tests until you've memorized most of the answers, then drop by your local radio shack to find out when the local ham club is giving the FCC test for Technician. This gets you a license for any ham band above 50 Mhz, especially the 2 meter 144-148 Mhz ham band. I'd bet you're boat is in range of at least 10 repeaters, some 2000' in the air! Join the local ham radio club to help support the repeaters' costs and improvements. We don't bite, no matter what you hear on CB, and you don't have to talk like a hick with a clothespin on your nose on the radio. A 50W 2 meter FM ham rig is about $150 and another $30 for a good VHF antenna. (No, you can't use your VHF marine antenna for 2 meters, so put that out of your mind. They are too far apart in frequency.) Getting a Technician ham license is so easy most ham's wives, who could care less about electronics/radio easily get them just to call the husband for food orders on the way home. You can also upgrade to General when you're ready to join the HF marine ham radio nets. The 5wpm Morse Code tests will shortly be abolished for good. The old farts at the American Radio Relay League, who have used code to keep very nice folks off ham radio for decades are all dying off of old age. Get a ham license! The walkie talkie on my desk can talk 70 miles up the road through the 147.300 repeater on the WCSC-TV tower N of Charleston. It's 1,850' straight up! |
"Jim Donohue" wrote in
news:9yzee.10844$fI.8130@fed1read05: It is a piece of cake for 2 meter amateur. I suspect that I could coach a 10 year old in to passing the test in 3 or 4 hours. Adults should take half that long. I used to teach ham radio classes, here in SC. My record is a 7-year-old Novice who failed his first code test, not because he couldn't copy 5wpm, but because he ran out of paper during the test because his letters were too large!...(c; He got his General Class when he was 9, breezing through the 13 wpm code test, his Advanced at 10 (which cost me a $20 bet) and his Extra Class at 12, winning the $20 bet because he had his Extra Class before he became a teenager. He's an electrical engineer, now. I helped ruin his whole life....(c; Damned smartassed kids....Best $40 I ever lost. |
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Message-ID: X-Complaints-To: X-Abuse-Info: Please forward a copy of all headers for proper handling X-Trace: ldjgbllpbapjglppdbdpiflmbcekedmfhojhikkbagflhcbomh lajbmojfjoihmjdillphahkfobdkeomjdlikofcabndokjebbd okmcigmdjfonlfaadapnafnjdhgdglgnonkjfbcphokilpmoen ljlcafhlni NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 07 May 2005 15:44:14 EDT Organization: BellSouth Internet Group Date: Sat, 07 May 2005 19:44:14 GMT Xref: number1.nntp.dca.giganews.com rec.boats.electronics:60078 On 2005-05-06 said: Actually you could very easily just get yourself a Business Radio Service License, and use Land Mobile VHF Radios and be perfectly LEGAL, in all respects. I am suprised no one else came up with that option. It is what Business Radio Service is all about. You will not get your own Private Frequency, but a shared frequency with PL would do you just spiffy. True enough, and he could use the same antenna for marine channels, albeit with another radio. THis is the same reason I suggested Murs. Only problem is I'm not hearing of that much equipment available for murs yet. I think Popular COmmunications did a review of one unit for the Murs freqs a couple months back but that's the first I"ve seen. FOr the original poster, check with reputable two-way radio shops in your area regarding business band equipment for vhf. IF all else fails ask your plumber heating contractor or other businessmen you deal with who use two-way radio equipment in their endeavors to steer you to their provider of services. YOu might find some used equipment at a reasonable price. IF you buy new often an application is included for the license. FOr Murs equipment I think good ol' radio slack is selling murs equipment these days, those are the "color dot" channels in the vhf range around 154-155 mhz. NO license required and with a decent antenna at the cabin you could conceivably achieve ten mile range. Richard Webb, amateur radio callsign nf5b active on the Maritime Mobile service network, 14.300 mhz REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email -- if its supposed to move but doesn't, use wd40 if it moves but shouldn't use duct tape |
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