Surfski Knowledge Base

Mike Mauch
11/13/16 #20239

I always carry a cell phone when paddling, thinking now about getting a radio but not sure where to carry it. It seems that if stored in the front of PFD it might interfere with remounts, if stored in back it might be hard to reach and on side it might interfere with paddling.

Any thoughts on where to carry the radio? Also any recommendations on the radio to purchase?

Thanks,

m

David Hooper
11/14/16 #20240

Hi Mike,

I recently got a Standard Horizon HX870. I had three main criteria: 1. Waterproof (obviously, pretty much all are); 2. Floats (some do, some don’t); 3. DSC calling for nasty emergencies. From the research I did, it’s that last item that immediately takes you to the pricier, and somewhat bulkier, radios. If you want DSC, you get every other bell and whistle out there, even if you don’t want them.

I carry mine in the side pocket of my life jacket, attached with a lanyard. It sticks out and I occasionally feel the antenna a little bit, but not enough to bother me. And it didn’t seem to get in the way the last time I had to remount in the waves.

I also keep it turned on while paddling. I’ve talked to several other people who have their radios with them, but keep them turned off, apparently because of not wanting the battery to run down. However, there are a few reasons I can think of to keep it turned on whenever paddling:

1. Unless you’re talking, it doesn’t affect battery life much at all, unless maybe you’re going to be on the water all day.

2. If all you want to do is call the Coast Guard if YOU get in trouble, fine keep it off. But if you want to get a call from your paddling buddy when they’re in trouble you’ll never hear them if your radio is off. Or if they’re fine, but just want to let you know they needed to stop for some reason. Or if you want to do the same with them. Then it sure helps for both people to have their radios on.

3. I know us rogues of the Bellingham waves probably aren’t much for regulations, but the CG actually says that if you have a radio with you, you must monitor Ch 16.

(see their website: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtWatch)

My understanding of the main point is that if another boat needs to talk to you, or if you can get to an emergency situation faster than any other vessel, well, then that’s a good thing. Now, there may not be much you could do on a surfski to help, but ya never know.

Good luck with it!

Dave H.

Reivers Dustin

11/14/16 #20243

This Standard Horizon is the best radio I found. Mine is the older version that this model replaces. For years I carried mine in front pocket with minor impedance to remounts. But I just recently put marine-grade velcro and mounted the thing on back. I also plunked down $30 for a remote mic/speaker and clip to the front. I'm not sure if I recommend this because my religion is 'less is more“. (So my new method has more strings and stuff.)

I've found that it's almost worthless to try to talk to another paddler unless you are within a couple of yards. It takes both hands to stay upright and there's a lot of noise and distraction. The sole purpose of my radio is to hoist someone's ass out of the crapper. Primarily mine. But also, and I have emphasized this a couple of times: the other guy. I've been lucky and helped a couple of folks, but when I reviewed the play-by-play I've realized how thin my own safety margin was. Without radio I'm faced with leaving someone in jeopardy or putting us both in trouble. Maybe you can be cool with that, but not me. There's a few of us that have done that thing where you try to shave without looking yourself in the eyes after someone you could have helped went down.

Regards paddling with the radio turned off: the DSC system uses internal GPS information to code the coast guard. It takes the radio GPS chip a few minutes to locate itself. I bet you don't want those minutes to be going on while you are fighting for your life. I turn mine on so that is resolved ahead of time and also to prove the battery is solid.

One last thing: one of our last paddler rescue situations, the paddler was unable to key the DSC because the cover was to hard to work with cold fingers. So she has since then put a pull line on hers. I've put tape under the cover so it's an easy pull. Of course plan “A” is to never ever need your radio. Or leash or PFD. But if I'm betting my life, well you know, I might hedge the bet a teeny bit. If I can.

rd

bill
11/14/16 #20244

RD… is the mike waterproof? Does it work well while paddling/ is it hands free? Of so does it pick up your voice ok in the wind?

Reivers Dustin

11/14/16 #20245

Ayep: waterproof, works ok for voice xmit/receive.

But nope: requires manual key for xmit. This is not a VOX (voice activated). I was thinking about the Britney Spears headset type thingie, but didn't want to wear the pointed bra and nipple rings and stuff that comes with. … unless you want me to. I mean, I never thought of you and me like that before, but you know. txtme.

rd

bill
11/14/16 #20246

Yes….. yes, I want you too. Oh….. sorry, I will take this off the server.

Mike Mauch

11/14/16 #20250

Thanks for all of the great input. I'm going to purchase a HX870 and keep it in the front pocket of my mocke pfd. Having the DSC is important enough to deal with a bit of bulk.

mike