Marine Radio

[g00mbs]

What marine radio to people use? I was looking at this one: Nautilus Lifeline. Any others that I should consider? If so, why?

[Tony Soprano]

Fine if you can find a way to carry it and want to spend $$$ or you can go to West Marin Store or online and buy this.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/standard- ... --14272991

Standard Horizon
VHF Radio
Model # 14272991 | Mfg # HX150
$99.99

Buy the west marine warranty , it allows you to get an in store replacement, instead of having to mail away the radio if it malfunctions.

Many using this radio for kiteboarding.

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/vhf-basics.asp

[edented]

Out of curiosity, where and how do you attach a radio to yourself? I've read that people carry cellphone, radio, perhaps extra swim fins and flare etc. Is there a particular vest to carry it all? I've seen some hydro packs that have pockets, but would be pretty awkward to access (on your back) in emergency situation.

Experiences to share using the equipment? How often are kiters using radios to call for help? (I don't ride Crissy, so haven't had these casual discussions)

thx

[Aloha]

For Crissy I throw the radio in a waterproof bag then in the Dakine Waterman bag (use it just for hydration at other spots)

I haven't had to use it on water - but definitely would take some practice to get it out if you were going to use it without removing backpack.

The waterproof bag has a lanyard that you can eye-loop through the top loop of the Waterman, then once out you could flop it over your shoulder and operate.

All way easier said than done while on dry land vs. sloshing around with a busted up kite/line-setup of course, but at least I don't think the radio is going anywhere unless it gets seriously caught on something and busts the bag stitching.

[Tony Soprano]

If you do not have it lanyard-ed to you, you will drop it and loose it when you need it most.

Get a waterproof bag. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... 90_010_526

http://search.nrs.com/boating/Aqua%20Pa ... adio%20Bag

Designed for the radio. it is micro-phonic so you can hear and talk through the bag, it also keeps water off the speaker and microphone so the sound is not garbled.

I put mine in the big pocked of my Neilpryde High hook Flotation vest with the lanyard attached inside the pocket.

Others put it inside there wet suit,either on there chest or on there back between there shoulder blades with the lanyard around there neck.

Some put it in a fanny pack attached to there harness lanyard-ed to the harness.

A marine radio is preferred over a cell phone because when you make a call on channel 16 distress , everyone with a radio will hear you, boaters, other windsurfers, kite boarders. The Coast guard can triangulated your position too and the more expensive radios, you push one button and it sends your location, overkill for our purposes. Also a lot cheaper than a cell phone ruined by salt water.

You call the coast guard, not 911.

[sflinux]

If you do not have it lanyard-ed to you, you will drop it and loose it when you need it most.
Get a waterproof bag. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... 90_010_526

+1 on that bag. I've had others that became brittle and leaked. But the above bag is still water tight after many years of use.

[jaxonholer]

I've had the best luck throwing the radio loose through the top of my wetsuit. Its sits on my skin, on my chest. IF I fell on it, I would break my chest or a rib, but that has not happened yet .

West Marine recommended me to skip the bag. i had issues with the waterproof bags getting steam in there and shorting out the battery, so they recommended skippinng the bag since the ra waterproof any way. You need to look at the corosion on the battery, when the connection is lost due to it being corroded, the radio is now broken. This is when the warranty comes in, you can replace FOR FREE at West Marine, no questions asked. I have replaced my radio 3 times now, paying only to renew the warranty, and/ or the increase in price for the newer radio. I give them about a 2 year life, then it breaks, usually from corrosion, so its always best to clean with fresh water. Do I do that? NO, I throw it in the car, and use it again next time, checking that its charged and funtioning before each use. Get a new one before the waranty ends and repeat.

[Tony Soprano]

I've had the best luck throwing the radio loose through the top of my wet-suit. Its sits on my skin, on my chest. IF I fell on it, I would break my chest or a rib, but that has not happened yet .

West Marine recommended me to skip the bag. i had issues with the waterproof bags getting steam in there and shorting out the battery, so they recommended skipping the bag since the radio waterproof any way. You need to look at the corrosion on the battery, when the connection is lost due to it being corroded, the radio is now broken. This is when the warranty comes in, you can replace FOR FREE at West Marine, no questions asked. I have replaced my radio 3 times now, paying only to renew the warranty, and/ or the increase in price for the newer radio. I give them about a 2 year life, then it breaks, usually from corrosion, so its always best to clean with fresh water. Do I do that? NO, I throw it in the car, and use it again next time, checking that its charged and functioning before each use. Get a new one before the warranty ends and repeat.

Some of the older model vhf handheld radios had a separate external battery pack that saltwater could invade the contacts. This is not so in the new design ,as an example the radio i RECOMMEND. THE STANDARD HORIZON HX150.
The waterproof bag is important so you can be heard and hear, as water on the speaker and microphone will make everything garbled.
My opinion that that person at west marine gave bad advice.
Also the bag comes with many ways to attach it to yourself. Like i said you do not want to butterfingers the radio when you really need it.

[Red_Element_Andy]

I use a Uniden VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio (MHS75).