VHF Radio

[daperrin]

I see so many folks, mainly kayakers like me head out without a radio. I always carry one. Never had to use it thank goodness. Anyway after seeing some guys come in from a couple miles out at Dana Point made me wonder why anyone would take such a chance.

Decided to write an article on subject (cuz thats what I do) so take a look if your interested in getting one anytime soon. https://thekayaklaunch.com/best-kaya...ine-vhf-radio/

[JohnMckroidJr]

Nice write-up on the VHF radio's David. Great website! I have had two kayaking friends that lost their VHF radio's, but because they were floaters, They were later able to find them --one washed up on the beach.

Because of the harsh environment on kayaks, getting a good radio warranty is worth noting. West Marine has one of the best warranties around.

The range of a VHF radio has many factors. The dry atmosphere of California has some of the best radio ranges of any area. There have been times when a ship off Cedros Island, Baja was able to make calls to San Pedro Marine Operator with a good sky bounce. (a distance of nearly 500miles). The Humidity of the East Coast causes lesser VHF radio ranges. That said, I was once off Boynton Beach and called Coast Guard Group Miami with my kayak handheld. (about 35 miles away). Coast Guard Group Miami must have a super high-mounted antenna.

I usually think of VHF radios as having a line of sight range. For that reason, It is best to have it mounted high up. If one's VHF is sitting in the hull of the kayak it may not be able to receive the signal of a buddy's hail a few hundred yards away. IF one is having trouble receiving a kayak buddy's call, The reception will frequently improve if one can hold the radio higher up, or stand up for the conversation. The line of sight between kayaks for VHF communication is typically 2-3 miles on the Humid East Coast.

When the Coast Guard first allowed ships to travel without radio operators, Digital Select Calling was a major PITA as false alarms occurred all the time. Having a VHF radio with DSC is definitely an extra level of safety. The system will automatically sound an alarm on other DSC VHF radios(within range) -- switching their radios to the same frequency for emergency communications.

Beyond DSC, a Personal Location Beacon is a worthy consideration. PLB's use satellites to relay one's distress to shore rescue facilities. Mine is overdue to have the 5yr battery replaced. Note some have 7-year batteries making them a better value for the same price.

If fishing near shipping lanes, AIS is worth considering. Automatic Identification Systems are transponders that broadcast the vessel's information. The crew of large vessels frequently spend too much time staring at radars instead of out the window. Small targets like a kayak are hard to spot visually, and often washed out by sea clutter filters on a radar. Having AIS increases visibility by causing an identification symbol to show up on AIS-capable radars. It also allows the kayaker to scroll through a list of contacts for identifications purposes so that vessels can be hailed by name on the VHF.

[BenCantrell]

Thanks for writing the article! Here's what I have. I only used the inReach Mini when I was training for my Catalina crossing (which sadly didn't happen). The HX300 is always on my PFD.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by BenCantrell

I only used the inReach Mini when I was training for my Catalina crossing (which sadly didn't happen).

Ben, I sold my first kayak to a guy who wanted to pedal to Bimini. It would be like pedaling to San Clemente Island. A bit ambitious, but something to shoot for.... One would want to start out in Islamorada to compensate for the gulf stream, and ideally have an escort vessel standing by with AIS to call and inform commercial traffic.

[BenCantrell]

Originally Posted by JohnMckroidJr

Ben, I sold my first kayak to a guy who wanted to pedal to Bimini. It would be like pedaling to San Clemente Island. A bit ambitious, but something to shoot for.... One would want to start out in Islamorada to compensate for the gulf stream, and ideally have an escort vessel standing by with AIS to call and inform commercial traffic.

Woah.

That's way more ambitious than San Pedro to Two Harbors.

Ugh... I called off the Catalina crossing because the weather forecast was slightly worse than my no-go criteria. Turned out to be much milder than the forecast though, totally doable. It really hurt taking the ferry across looking at how calm the ocean was.

[JohnMckroidJr]

Originally Posted by BenCantrell

Woah.

That's way more ambitious than San Pedro to Two Harbors.

Ugh... I called off the Catalina crossing because the weather forecast was slightly worse than my no-go criteria. Turned out to be much milder than the forecast though, totally doable. It really hurt taking the ferry across looking at how calm the ocean was.

Wrong weather forecasts suck. When I lived in RPV, my neighbor's hobby was long-distance transits with carbon fiber paddle kayaks. He would start out in darkness so he would make it across the channel before noon. The Catalina channel frequently gets pretty nasty in the afternoons.

[Gflann]

Really good discussion point. I’d consider the vhf radio pretty important right after PFD and being dressed for a possible water immersion event.

Best part is the auto playing of Ch 16. I’ve been out before and been able to hear a “special” marine weather statement for small craft advisory that wasn’t active when I launched. Great time to head back in even if it’s nice out. I’ve ignored it once and got my butt kicked all the way in by white caps. Had to pedal from. Children’s pool back in. Almost thought I would roll it a few times. Worst part was I was the only one out there so if I had rolled and became separated from my kayak, a distress call would have been my only chance at getting rescued.

Never going to ignore that broadcast again. The whole way in I was thinking how stupid I was for getting myself into that situation as I was mitigating white caps and following seas.

[daperrin]

Thanks! Great points.