Surfski Knowledge Base

Pmarcus
11/03/13 #15111

Morning….Yesterday during the morning “rush hour” around Post Point, I pulled out my Marine VHF to try a radio check due to curiosity and Morris's expectation that we can use it not only on flat calm days but on Nuking days too! (and….that we can get it out of our PPE if needed). I had noticed a few paddlers had radios and that they were turned on….after a few attempts, one paddler returned my call but we were very close and it was not the paddler I was calling (who had a radio turned on…)

The point I am making….if your squelch is turned up too high (to avoid basic radio chatter and static) you wont receive a distressed paddler call unless super close, with the short antennas and wind and wave noise and occasional Coal Train (bummer…) it will be tough…the USCG will pick you up but again if you have the squelch turned too high you might not hear their return call…

I have attached some working channels for your radio…so “Pull a MORRIS” and when you go out today or whenever, yank your radio out, call a buddy on sixteen (16) then agree to switch to one of the pleasure boat channels and talk for a second….USCG will also do radio checks on Channel 23 if your by yourself…..

Thats all I got…….Peter

p.s. FILM Festival at Majestic Hall on Dec. 7th (right across the street from the YWCA)

Reivers Dustin
11/03/13 #15113

I'm intimidated about putting my ignorance out on the airwaves for public. But maybe a little practice would help. Good stuff Peter. That thing Kathleen is on about: the DSC makes your radio ring like a telephone. Otherwise it's very hard to hear. I've tried with LG and he and I both agree: pain in the rear to talk while on the boat. I thought about the brittany spears headset so I could be hands free.

My plan is to never have to use the radio again. but maybe since my life might depend on it, I'll make sure I can muddle through.

rd