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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Begining search for VHF
Posted By: Malcolm Schweizer In Response To: Begining search for VHF (Ed Hopkins)
Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003, at 8:09 p.m.
Ed,
I bought the Standard Horizon HX350S, which is the big brother of the one Nick recommended. Actually the one he recommended, from what I hear, is just as good as far as signal goes, but even better just due to its small size. They are supposed to be submersible. Luckily I've never had to find out. There are a lot of good ones out there. The main thing you should look for are:
JIS7 Submersible rating. (1 Meter for 30 minutes continuoulsy) Although I would not trust it enough to do a roll with it on my deck, it helps to know that it's not going to crap out on you if you are caught in a rainstorm, which is usually when problems occur that cause you to have to use the darned thing!
Switchable from high (should be at least 5 watts) to low (1 watt power). That way if you get caught with low batteries, or if you want to save battery power you can switch to low power. Just know that low power doesn't transmit very far. I think Garmin makes a 7 watt model. I was going to get it except the one I bought was on sale.
External microphone option. It comes in really handy if you do real long trips, and if you use it as a backup on a larger craft like I do.
AA store-bought batteries... as opposed to some funky square battery pack that you have to recharge every time. Mine takes both... a battery pack that recharges, and a AA battery pack. I use the rechargeable one and keep the AA as backup. On long trips I take the AA only. My GPS, underwater camera, and my headlamp also take AA batteries, so it makes it easy to stock up on one type of battery for all gear.
12V DC battery charger. It really comes in handy for me because I keep my radio in my truck all the time. My job requires me to island hop from time to time so I keep all the boat gear in my truck. The DC charger lets me ensure the radio is always charged up. Same would go if you are an "impulse kayaker" and like to keep all your stuff in your vehicle ready to go.
Weather channel if you live in the US. Darn I wish we had that service.
International channels, although I think they all have that nowadays.
Backlighting.
Pushbuttons are a plus so you can use it easily in a waterproof pouch. Mine has squelch and volume knobs, but they are large enough and located convenient enough to rotate through the pouch if you practice. Everything else is pushbutton and on the front of the unit... another thing to look for, because most dry bags work best with front buttons.
Well, that's my input on radios. Good luck. I would say mine, Nick's, or the Garmin 750. All three are good radios. The Garmin has pushbuttons, and 7-watt power. (Check me on that, it may not be the 750, but I know they have a 5 and 7 watt model.)
...and if you get a different model and like it better post a review!
-Malcolm
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