Sea Kayak Trips Bulletin Board

Re: VHF radio

Posted By: Don Beale
Date: Sunday, 31 January 1999, at 12:53 p.m.

In Response To: Re: VHF radio (Nick Schade)

I think that the coast guard monitors everywhere that is considered "navigable"; which is to say charted and bouyed. I know that the upper Wilamette River, to Newberg, OR is monitored, even though little or no shipping traffic uses it. Also, the state police will monitor it. It wouldn't suprize me if there is radio activity inland. I'd say turn it on channel 16 and listen awhile. You'll get yor answer...

> I do not think the Coast Guard monitors any inland lakes unless they are
> close enough the ocean for the signal to reach. The VHF used is a marine
> band and I believe it is not legal to use it inland. However, if you are
> in the wilderness, I can see where having some kind of radio may be better
> than nothing. If you say in your trip plan that you are carrying a VHF, a
> search may monitor the band to see if you are transmitting, and a search
> plane can use a direction finder to help pin-point your location. At which
> point the FCC can come arrest you if they are that anal about it.

> Bottom line: it is probably not worth buying a VHF for inland paddling,
> but if you have one and have the space, it doesn't hurt to carry it and
> let people know you have it.

> Nick

Messages In This Thread

VHF radio
Larry C. -- Saturday, 30 January 1999, at 4:41 p.m.

Re: VHF radio
Nick Schade -- Sunday, 31 January 1999, at 12:35 p.m.

Re: VHF radio
Don Beale -- Sunday, 31 January 1999, at 12:53 p.m.

In Dallas it's the local police
Brian T. Cunnningham -- Monday, 1 February 1999, at 12:09 p.m.

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