Did anyone else see

[Don S/V ILLusion]

relatively cheap but effective alternative

With the discussion on VHF range and hand held radio (antenna) limitation, some might want to consider the following alternative -As in real estate, it's all about location. In this context, it's all about the location (above water level) that determines the range of any VHF siggnal, almost regardless of whether its a 25 W fixed transceiver or a 1 W handheld.Exaggeration for effect - if you climbed the mast with a handheld, the range would be almost equivalent to that of a fixed radio with mast mounted antenna, particularly when you consider the signal loss inherent in the coax.In an emergency, the alternative consists of a small cheap adapter, available at most any electronics store, with which one can connect the mast mounted antenna coax directly to the handheld. In an emergency or when the fixed radio does not work, it is possible to connect the handheld directly to the mast antenna thereby significantly increaing it's range.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

relatively cheap but effective alternative

With the discussion on VHF range and hand held radio (antenna) limitation, some might want to consider the following alternative -As in real estate, it's all about location. In this context, it's all about the location (above water level) that determines the range of any VHF siggnal, almost regardless of whether its a 25 W fixed transceiver or a 1 W handheld.Exaggeration for effect - if you climbed the mast with a handheld, the range would be almost equivalent to that of a fixed radio with mast mounted antenna, particularly when you consider the signal loss inherent in the coax.In an emergency, the alternative consists of a small cheap adapter, available at most any electronics store, with which one can connect the mast mounted antenna coax directly to the handheld. In an emergency or when the fixed radio does not work, it is possible to connect the handheld directly to the mast antenna thereby significantly increaing it's range.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Sounds like

Sounds like a 'fix' for an inefficient system. I totally disagree with the statement that a 1 Watt or even a 5 Watt will work the same as a 25 Watt. Thats like saying given equal conditions, a 25 HP motor is not noticably different than a 5HP engine. The height is a critial factor though in that VHF signals are line of sight, but you still need the punch power. A hand held is usually pretty expensive. Why spend more money on a lesser system? Dont make sense.I sail coastal quite a bit and my handhelds at times are as close to useless as one can get. I say, spend less money on a real radio and buy the hand held as a back-up only. Like to take into a life raft where you wont have a mast. or if you lose your DC power. I would not want to rely on a jury rigged hand held/antenna system for everyday operations.I am not rich or even considered anything other than middle income. I need to conserve on my spending like most of us on here. With a boat "safety first" will cost. If you cruise coastal, you will probably need a radio inside, one ouside AND a handheld. For small lake...one radio outside should do it. No hand held required if you have cell phone capability. IMHOTony B

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Sounds like

Sounds like a 'fix' for an inefficient system. I totally disagree with the statement that a 1 Watt or even a 5 Watt will work the same as a 25 Watt. Thats like saying given equal conditions, a 25 HP motor is not noticably different than a 5HP engine. The height is a critial factor though in that VHF signals are line of sight, but you still need the punch power. A hand held is usually pretty expensive. Why spend more money on a lesser system? Dont make sense.I sail coastal quite a bit and my handhelds at times are as close to useless as one can get. I say, spend less money on a real radio and buy the hand held as a back-up only. Like to take into a life raft where you wont have a mast. or if you lose your DC power. I would not want to rely on a jury rigged hand held/antenna system for everyday operations.I am not rich or even considered anything other than middle income. I need to conserve on my spending like most of us on here. With a boat "safety first" will cost. If you cruise coastal, you will probably need a radio inside, one ouside AND a handheld. For small lake...one radio outside should do it. No hand held required if you have cell phone capability. IMHOTony B

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Tony

I didn't say that one watt works as effectively as 25 watts!What I did say is "almost regardless of whether its a 25 W fixed transceiver or a 1 W handheld."When one takes into account the signal loss of 25 watts in the length of coax involved at VHF, it becomes far less of a difference in the example I cited of a handheld located at the mast top and again, as I said, I was using the example only as such.As a pratical matter, having the means of connecting a handheld to a mast top antenna is a far cheaper and ALMOST as equally effective compared with buying a second independant radio, antenna and coax.I have no problem if you disagree but please don't disagree with something I didn't say..

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Tony

I didn't say that one watt works as effectively as 25 watts!What I did say is "almost regardless of whether its a 25 W fixed transceiver or a 1 W handheld."When one takes into account the signal loss of 25 watts in the length of coax involved at VHF, it becomes far less of a difference in the example I cited of a handheld located at the mast top and again, as I said, I was using the example only as such.As a pratical matter, having the means of connecting a handheld to a mast top antenna is a far cheaper and ALMOST as equally effective compared with buying a second independant radio, antenna and coax.I have no problem if you disagree but please don't disagree with something I didn't say..

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Don

Don , Im sorry I offended you. My real point was that if you dont own a hand held and dont need one, buy a regular VHF instead.I still disagree with your analogy though. Dont take it personal, people disagree on here all of the time. Your statement "When one takes into account the signal loss of 25 watts in the length of coax involved at VHF, it becomes far less of a difference in the example I cited of a handheld located at the mast top and again, as I said, I was using the example only as such". Although the signal loss through the length of a coax is there, it is not anywhere near the the point of stating " it becomes far less of a difference". Its a small difference. Also you are implying that you have to climb to the top of the mast with your handheld in order for the handheld to be at the top of the mast. If I'm reading this wrong, does the handheld not have any loss at all through the same coax if you used an adapter on the coax at deck level? Just having fun man. I'm bored. Fire awayTony B

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Don

Don , Im sorry I offended you. My real point was that if you dont own a hand held and dont need one, buy a regular VHF instead.I still disagree with your analogy though. Dont take it personal, people disagree on here all of the time. Your statement "When one takes into account the signal loss of 25 watts in the length of coax involved at VHF, it becomes far less of a difference in the example I cited of a handheld located at the mast top and again, as I said, I was using the example only as such". Although the signal loss through the length of a coax is there, it is not anywhere near the the point of stating " it becomes far less of a difference". Its a small difference. Also you are implying that you have to climb to the top of the mast with your handheld in order for the handheld to be at the top of the mast. If I'm reading this wrong, does the handheld not have any loss at all through the same coax if you used an adapter on the coax at deck level? Just having fun man. I'm bored. Fire awayTony B

 

[Hunter voyager]

Strange Story

If you look at the weather data from the buoy NE Bahamas for new years day the wind is about 5 to 7 m/sec or 12 to 16 miles per hour from the SE. Not really heavy conditions for the ocean and certainly not gale force. See attached link and go to last 45 days data towards bottom of page. In fact some of the best sailing conditions you can get in my opinionWhy did he go past antigua, St Martin, virgin islands etc without calling in for repairs or just to make contact as his family was expecting.There are lots of other boats crossing from Cape Verde in December and should have been able to make contact at some time with other boats via VHF.Why was the boat filling with water? If the engine is smoking turn it off and find the leak. In 16 kts of wind shouldn't be a problem?

 

[Hunter voyager]

Strange Story

If you look at the weather data from the buoy NE Bahamas for new years day the wind is about 5 to 7 m/sec or 12 to 16 miles per hour from the SE. Not really heavy conditions for the ocean and certainly not gale force. See attached link and go to last 45 days data towards bottom of page. In fact some of the best sailing conditions you can get in my opinionWhy did he go past antigua, St Martin, virgin islands etc without calling in for repairs or just to make contact as his family was expecting.There are lots of other boats crossing from Cape Verde in December and should have been able to make contact at some time with other boats via VHF.Why was the boat filling with water? If the engine is smoking turn it off and find the leak. In 16 kts of wind shouldn't be a problem?

 

[higgs]

2 things

I echo the post prior - why was the boat taking on water and when did that problem develop?Regarding wattage - and I know very little about this topic - but I do know that the Pioneer space probe had a 5 watt transmitter. The receiving antennas are huge, but the signal has to make it back here for even the best antenna to pick it up. Last I heard pioneer was 8 mil miles away.

 

[higgs]

2 things

I echo the post prior - why was the boat taking on water and when did that problem develop?Regarding wattage - and I know very little about this topic - but I do know that the Pioneer space probe had a 5 watt transmitter. The receiving antennas are huge, but the signal has to make it back here for even the best antenna to pick it up. Last I heard pioneer was 8 mil miles away.

 

[Jim]

In his shoes

I carry and EPIRB and I want a life raft but to each his own. Every mans life is what he thinks it is worth. You have to admit, he had balls.

 

[Jim]

In his shoes

I carry and EPIRB and I want a life raft but to each his own. Every mans life is what he thinks it is worth. You have to admit, he had balls.

 

[Ted Weitz]

Handheld VHF

I saw the same guy interviewed on the Today show, and he said the handheld was in his ditch bag, which he took with him on his liferaft. I did not get the impression that was what he sent out his original Mayday on. He didn't mention an EPIRB one way or the other. He also said that when he got in the life raft he kept it tethered to the boat until it became dangerous. We can all second guess from behind a keyboard, but he sounded like a reasonably intelligent, knowledgable and experienced sailor, who got into trouble and handled it reasonably well. He also said the boat was 39 feet. Someone also criticized his comment that things always deteriorate on an ocean sail. He did not mean that everything breaks, simply that wear and tear and lack of replacement parts other than those you bring with you are part of being away from land.

 

[Ted Weitz]

Handheld VHF

I saw the same guy interviewed on the Today show, and he said the handheld was in his ditch bag, which he took with him on his liferaft. I did not get the impression that was what he sent out his original Mayday on. He didn't mention an EPIRB one way or the other. He also said that when he got in the life raft he kept it tethered to the boat until it became dangerous. We can all second guess from behind a keyboard, but he sounded like a reasonably intelligent, knowledgable and experienced sailor, who got into trouble and handled it reasonably well. He also said the boat was 39 feet. Someone also criticized his comment that things always deteriorate on an ocean sail. He did not mean that everything breaks, simply that wear and tear and lack of replacement parts other than those you bring with you are part of being away from land.

 

[sailaway78]

Things falling off

There was a mention in the interview, early on I think, of things falling off the boat, which is what brought up the deterioration comment. In my way of thinking, deterioration is one thing, and things falling off are another. I agree that the guy seemed to be reasonably intelligent, and he had made it across the other way.

 

[sailaway78]

Things falling off

There was a mention in the interview, early on I think, of things falling off the boat, which is what brought up the deterioration comment. In my way of thinking, deterioration is one thing, and things falling off are another. I agree that the guy seemed to be reasonably intelligent, and he had made it across the other way.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Not sure. But it seems to me that crossing the north Atlantic

alone, in the middle of winter is not something lots of sailors do. Most have heard of the Christmas Winds. Those winds are pretty much a full time gale even south to the Grenadines. You all know the old adage about 'location'. A hand held VHF radio was not this mans problem.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Not sure. But it seems to me that crossing the north Atlantic

alone, in the middle of winter is not something lots of sailors do. Most have heard of the Christmas Winds. Those winds are pretty much a full time gale even south to the Grenadines. You all know the old adage about 'location'. A hand held VHF radio was not this mans problem.