Marine Radio?
 

I was wondering how many of you take a handheld marine Radio out with you for emergencies? I still have one from when I had my boat but the charger no longer works. I know it would be smart to have one for safety. But I'm curious how many kayak actually take one out with you every time?

ME!!!
But then I am 67 and piece of mind is important. I try to get the guys going to Baja with me to carry one, too. Any time you go out something might happen to you or someone else. Better safe than sorry, think of your family with you gone.

I always bring my vhf along and check the battery. It stays full or I would charge it the night before. Safety is always priority when i'm out on the water. It's better to have one in case the what if happens or someone needs help.

+1 on all these comments. My radio was one of the first things I bought after getting my yak. The one i have is waterproof and it floats (supposedly).

The other cool thing about it is that you can use it on a non-emergency channel to chat with other yakers in the area, because as we all know, once you are even 20 feet away from each other, it's very hard to hear what each other is saying.

I like hearing all the smack talking during an outing with friends LOL.

HobieScot, thanks for posting. I've been thinking of buying one too!

What channels do you use to communicate with other yakers or for emergencies? Thanks!

I would agree. I got a radio before a lot of other gear.
I used to not bring it to the bay, just La Jolla, but now I bring it everywhere. You never know if or when you'll need it for yourself or another.
I primarily use 69, but daydream about about Cortez & Tanner Bank when I tune into 72. Channels

Great Thread!
 

I want to buy one...and am a cheap bastage according to my wife. Any brands you would recommend? Is online the best way to buy? Thanks!!!

What kind of radio is it? I have an extra standard horizon charger.

It's older, let me pull it out and see if I can get a make and model number for it


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I take mine too. I also carry a personal locator beacon in my pfd pocket. I used to keep hand flares in my tackle box too but haven't done that for a while.

Thank you Octico, the brand says Seafit. I believe I bought it at West Marine (can't remember for sure but that's where I bought almost everything for my boat back then so it's a good guess) probably 5-10 years ago. It had a charger base that it sat in to charge.

It hasn't been used in a long time so I am not sure it still works. I'd have to charge it to find out.

Right after my PFG, my next purchase was a quality VHF radio (Standard Horizon HX851 and even though it's waterproof and floats I also bought an Aqua-Pack w/p sack to ensure floatation). :D
After reading some of the threads about the use of a cell/radio, it dawned on me when someone pointed out that cell service can be sketchy on the water and that there are no cell towers on the water! :(
Although a top line VHF will not guarantee safety, there's a better chance of someone hearing your call for help on a radio.
Did you hear about that lone Kayaker lost for about 16 hours out of Ventura? I'm pretty sure someone would have heard him on a radio if he had carried one, with all the day boats, twilight, overnight, etc. coming in and departing the harbor.
A flare gun is next on my wish list.
Just my thoughts/observations.
FFY :sifone:

I've said this a million times......whatever radio you get try to find one that has the external mic connection, you'll thank me later

I've heard you ball bust out there.

I take one! Peace of mind.

I do.


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You must gots me confused with those team sewer guys........them a bunch of lame ass foo's

mine just arrived today, reading through manual.

I always take mine. A cell phone will only work when it's dry. If you end up in the water, you won't be able to call for help on your cell phone.

I am curious. Can you please post a link to the PLB that you are using.


I use the following radio with good results. Get the extended warranty, they go on sale all the time. It has tri-watch so I usually monitor CH 16, 9 and 69 or 70 depending on the fishing chatter that day without missing any emergency traffic.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-m...adio--14078562

Another inexpensive locating device that you can use is a chem light to make a buzzsaw during darkness. It has a very long range viability especially from the air

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zH_dzakIGw

Think of it as a PACE plan.

Primary - VHF radio
Alternate - PLB
Contingency - Whistle/Cellphone
Emergency - Chemlight/Strobe

I always take mine as well as a 2 way walkie talkie so that I can converse with my fishing buddies. The last time I was out, someone called that they say diver fins sticking up out of the water, but could see no movement. This generated an emergency response team to race over. Fortunately, it was only a pair of dive fins, no body attached. But had it been a true emergency, the radio could have saved someones life.

The VHF radio is also great for kayak fishing tournaments like the one OEX puts on in Mission Bay, (great tournament by the way! Can't wait for the next one!). When you catch a fish that needs to be wieghed, you can call in the weigh boat and they'll come over, measure it, weigh it and then tell you that it's short by a 1/4". But I digress.....

Interesting! i wonder if a regular glo stick from the dollar tree and a string would work almost as well.

In an EMERGENCY, your life might hang in the balance, do you want ALMOST as well? Really?

Well I tried to revive my old VHF to no avail so it seems that I find myself in the market for a new one.

Can you guys recommend a new brand/model that I should look into. I looked at West Marine today and I was looking on Amazon and it seems that they all seem to have the same basic features. The main difference is price. Ranging anywhere from $70-$300.

Are there any brands to stay away from? Any features that are a must have other than the obvious being waterproof.

Thanks in advance for your help

I was looking into this and think the floating feature is one of the best thing to look for. Waterproof doesn't seem to cover the battery area on most units....

I've lost two. I recommend the floating type. One of mine sunk, the other fell off while I was busy gaffing a fish. Didn't notice till much later. I am debating whether or not to buy a third one. If I do, I think I'll duct tape it to the side of my head.

I keep mine leashed to the kayak in one of those water proof bags. I Take the radio on all my outings all the time.

Anyone scan channels while NOT fishing? man, my guilty pleasure.

I've never used a VHF for kayaking before, only on boats for emergency purposes.

Is there a Chanel that other kayakers tend to use?

I do.

And is everyone out there at lj on a certain channel to chat?

Definitely buy one that is waterproof and floats. You never know when or if you'll ever need it in an emergency situation, but it is well worth the investment for pease of mind if for nothing else. You can get one that will work just fine from either West Marine or at Bass Pro Shops for about $100.00. They have some that are more expensive and may have a longer range, but for kayakers, we don't need one that will carry for 50 miles or more.

I have this one: Cobra MRHH500FLTBT - http://amzn.to/1VSpM6c

My wife insists that I carry it when I go out, I can't complain, I like listening to boat traffic when I'm solo.

This model connects to my phone via Bluetooth, as well. I can connect my phone and FF to it, pretty cool to listen to tunes on a long paddle.

I keep the VHF in a velcro holster attached to the seat. Also have a PLB attached to my lifejacket. If you loose the radio, the PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) is huge peace of mind. Registared for free with the FCC, it sends an encoded msg via satelite to local authorities with a description of your kayak, and they will call the phone #'s that you provide when you registar to confirm it is a real emergency prior to initiating a search. It does not offer the pin point accuracy that one would hope it does, but it is definetly a worthwhile investment in safety if your an offshore kayaker.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-el...ChJxoCk-rw_wcB

Thanks mclanea!
I just read the reviews and this one seems like a winner! The Bluetooth feature seems like it will be great to have.

I read the reviews and they were all positive except for a few from people using them on boats who said the speaker wasn't loud enough. That won't be an issue on the kayak. I just ordered it and it will be here Tuesday and just in time to go fishing on wednesday.

The one thing it doesn't mention is what type of charger/s it comes with. I've noticed that some come only with a cigarette lighter plug and some come with a standard wall plug. Can you tell me what type of charger ships with this VHF?

It's loud enough for me, I usually only have it up at like 30% when I'm fishing solo. I like to listen to harbor traffic while I'm out alone.

It has a standard wall plug. It has a stand, I just keep it set up in my garage to recharge. But you can skip the stand and just plug it in if you want. Battery life is crazy long... accidentally left it on overnight a few times and still had a lot of charge.

Thx for the info mclanea

Ya gotta love Amazon. I bought it this morning and it already shipped today


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Radio and personal beacon locator
 

In case crap really goes south . You can bet your cell phone will let you down when your life is on the line . :eek:

PLB
 

Registered to you , when distress signal is sent . You can bet someone is coming asap. Did the price go up ? :eek:. Small fee compared to your life .