I have never owned a VHF radio. I must now purchase one. Does anyone have experience with "UNIDEN" POLARIS w/DSC AND the "wham"wireless remote microphone??? Thanks for your input Ron
input on vhf radio
- Thread starter Ron20420
- Start date
- Status
Wham Mike
"Wham" is the trade name of the mike. You will see "Power" and other adjectives that also describe it. This is a great option and fairly new to the market in the last few years. It is like having an auxiliary radio in the cockpit. Instead of running a small speaker to the cockpit to hear the radio when it is mounted below, the external mike is the speaker and you can control the radio remotely and answer/converse, switch channels, etc. from the cockpit.
"Wham" is the trade name of the mike. You will see "Power" and other adjectives that also describe it. This is a great option and fairly new to the market in the last few years. It is like having an auxiliary radio in the cockpit. Instead of running a small speaker to the cockpit to hear the radio when it is mounted below, the external mike is the speaker and you can control the radio remotely and answer/converse, switch channels, etc. from the cockpit.
Handheld
Hi Ron, Now use handheld VHF pretty much as my primary. The installed VHF has mast mounted antenna with backup emergency antenna. The base VHF has a 25 mile range vs 5 miles for the handheld. I find most of my use covered by 5 miles or low power 1 mile - boat to boat or bridge. Also take the handheld with me when I have chartered boats. If your boat is going to be off shore more than 3 miles install base VHF plus a hand held then you will have a backup. Cell phones also a backup. You may find VHF traffic (number of callers) limit the use of VHF and boat to boat or boat to home best served by cell phone. No experience with "WHAM" mike. Bob
Hi Ron, Now use handheld VHF pretty much as my primary. The installed VHF has mast mounted antenna with backup emergency antenna. The base VHF has a 25 mile range vs 5 miles for the handheld. I find most of my use covered by 5 miles or low power 1 mile - boat to boat or bridge. Also take the handheld with me when I have chartered boats. If your boat is going to be off shore more than 3 miles install base VHF plus a hand held then you will have a backup. Cell phones also a backup. You may find VHF traffic (number of callers) limit the use of VHF and boat to boat or boat to home best served by cell phone. No experience with "WHAM" mike. Bob
Most of us probably carry handheld in cockpit,
so we can switch channels easily, check weather etc. without leaving the wheel. Last time CG hailed me (they were checking all traffic coming north after Newport to Ensenada race) I could answer from the wheel using only 1 watt (they were very close). The remote access mics make it possible to use your base radio from the cockpit as they have all necessary controls on the mic. Some fat pelican must have just sat on my mast top antennae cause it is broke, so I'm using handheld till I climb, another good reason to have both ( or back-up antennae). I really think if a choice of one or the other I'd get a handheld first, I take it & a little GPS with me whenever on Someone else's boat as insurance. The DSC as I understand, identifies you (you register radio as being on your vessel with vessel & owner info) so CG knows what to look for if you send Mayday without the info, I think some can be tied to GPS to give position also.
so we can switch channels easily, check weather etc. without leaving the wheel. Last time CG hailed me (they were checking all traffic coming north after Newport to Ensenada race) I could answer from the wheel using only 1 watt (they were very close). The remote access mics make it possible to use your base radio from the cockpit as they have all necessary controls on the mic. Some fat pelican must have just sat on my mast top antennae cause it is broke, so I'm using handheld till I climb, another good reason to have both ( or back-up antennae). I really think if a choice of one or the other I'd get a handheld first, I take it & a little GPS with me whenever on Someone else's boat as insurance. The DSC as I understand, identifies you (you register radio as being on your vessel with vessel & owner info) so CG knows what to look for if you send Mayday without the info, I think some can be tied to GPS to give position also.
Redundancy
It's about having a redundant system. VHF is one of the most important safety pieces in my boat. I'm not familiar with the river you sail on, but I am on the Delaware. It has lots of barges, freighters, cruise ships, and most importantly naval ships.(you learn to sail really fast with an M60 pointed at you) If one system goes you have another backup. With a WHAM mic. If your VHF goes, that’s it. But if you have a handheld, you are still in business. Check the money too. For what you are going to spend on the WHAM mic, which is not usually included, you could by a separate handheld for 20 bucks more and have the ability to take it anywhere and not run off the power for the boat. Stephen Fierro Captain of Calamity
It's about having a redundant system. VHF is one of the most important safety pieces in my boat. I'm not familiar with the river you sail on, but I am on the Delaware. It has lots of barges, freighters, cruise ships, and most importantly naval ships.(you learn to sail really fast with an M60 pointed at you) If one system goes you have another backup. With a WHAM mic. If your VHF goes, that’s it. But if you have a handheld, you are still in business. Check the money too. For what you are going to spend on the WHAM mic, which is not usually included, you could by a separate handheld for 20 bucks more and have the ability to take it anywhere and not run off the power for the boat. Stephen Fierro Captain of Calamity
UNIDEN
I have this VHF and had no problem installing it. I've connected it to my handheld GPS to get the full DSC benefit. The WHAM remote mike is a great option. The mike works just like your cordless telephone anywhere on the boat or a reasonable distance away from the boat. The only disadvantage I can see to the handheld is the limited power (5 watt vs 25 watt for base unit). I don't think that is much of a disadvantage for lake and costal sailors. On the other hand, its nice to know you have the extra range with a more powerful unit. Recently read about a new DSC capable handheld that is a combination VHF/GPS. I think the Mfg is Uniden but I expect all the major players will have one soon. That makes so much sense. My suggestion is to get the cheapest handheld you can find for now. I've seen them as low as $100. Check Amazon.com. That will give you what you need to contact marinas and bridges etc. while you get a better idea of what you really need.
I have this VHF and had no problem installing it. I've connected it to my handheld GPS to get the full DSC benefit. The WHAM remote mike is a great option. The mike works just like your cordless telephone anywhere on the boat or a reasonable distance away from the boat. The only disadvantage I can see to the handheld is the limited power (5 watt vs 25 watt for base unit). I don't think that is much of a disadvantage for lake and costal sailors. On the other hand, its nice to know you have the extra range with a more powerful unit. Recently read about a new DSC capable handheld that is a combination VHF/GPS. I think the Mfg is Uniden but I expect all the major players will have one soon. That makes so much sense. My suggestion is to get the cheapest handheld you can find for now. I've seen them as low as $100. Check Amazon.com. That will give you what you need to contact marinas and bridges etc. while you get a better idea of what you really need.
to get the full DSC benefit from your radio
It is my understanding you have to get it either registered or make sure you set it up properly. It's more than simply plugging them togther. Gordon West wrote about this in Santana, a So. California boating magazine, a month or two ago. Any input? Stu
It is my understanding you have to get it either registered or make sure you set it up properly. It's more than simply plugging them togther. Gordon West wrote about this in Santana, a So. California boating magazine, a month or two ago. Any input? Stu
MMSI Number
More info here https://www.boatus.com/mmsi/Info.htm When you register you can selectively call another boat using their MMSI number, it's a private hail and then you switch to a public chennel for communication. Using the MMSI-DSC feature and your VHF properly hooked up to your GPS you can find the location of another boater when you know their MMSI number and have your GPS "Go-To" their location.
More info here https://www.boatus.com/mmsi/Info.htm When you register you can selectively call another boat using their MMSI number, it's a private hail and then you switch to a public chennel for communication. Using the MMSI-DSC feature and your VHF properly hooked up to your GPS you can find the location of another boater when you know their MMSI number and have your GPS "Go-To" their location.
dsc radios
Stu and Rich are both right-you need to register your radio and get an mmsi number, which you then program into the radio. that code, like your beacon registration, identifies your boat to the CG. MMSI registration is free at boatUS.com and towboat US, for a boat in US waters. for boats traveling internationally, you have to apply to the gov. to get a number
Stu and Rich are both right-you need to register your radio and get an mmsi number, which you then program into the radio. that code, like your beacon registration, identifies your boat to the CG. MMSI registration is free at boatUS.com and towboat US, for a boat in US waters. for boats traveling internationally, you have to apply to the gov. to get a number
Interesting event on radio yesterday,
CG reported a named commercial fishing vessel in distress (EPIRB?) unknown location. Navy warship contacts CG to report they have received emergency distress signal reporting LAT. & Lon. position, passing it along, could it be your fishing vessel ? Long conversation as CG asks how message received, Navy says radiophone, CG says HUH?, On channel 70? USN says yes. Little later CG calls back, was that message verbal, or digital on monitor. Navy says Digital, on monitor, sole content was "Emergency" & position. Short time later CG reports vessel found. What was going on here ? Navy got EPIRB cause of range or weather and CG couldn't or a weird EPIRB ? By the way $99 Atlantis handheld available any boat store works fine and comes in white/blue to match the boat, also stands out from all the other black stuff in the electronics cubbyhole.
CG reported a named commercial fishing vessel in distress (EPIRB?) unknown location. Navy warship contacts CG to report they have received emergency distress signal reporting LAT. & Lon. position, passing it along, could it be your fishing vessel ? Long conversation as CG asks how message received, Navy says radiophone, CG says HUH?, On channel 70? USN says yes. Little later CG calls back, was that message verbal, or digital on monitor. Navy says Digital, on monitor, sole content was "Emergency" & position. Short time later CG reports vessel found. What was going on here ? Navy got EPIRB cause of range or weather and CG couldn't or a weird EPIRB ? By the way $99 Atlantis handheld available any boat store works fine and comes in white/blue to match the boat, also stands out from all the other black stuff in the electronics cubbyhole.
Well, it doesn't sound like an EPIRB....
signal, because those transmit on UHF frequencies up to satellites and on 121.5 MHz, sounds more like a DSC 'Distress' message sent via VHF. If I remember correctly, when you activate the 'Distress' function on a VHF DSC enabled radio, it automatically swithes to channel 70 and starts transmitting a distress message in a binary digital format. If the radio is connected to a GPS, the lat/lon info from the GPS is included in the digital distress message. Obviously, this is a handy feature to have, in that in an emergency, you needn't take the time to actually call the CG and manually give them your position. I'm not sure of the CGs' take on their use, but it would seem to me that if you had the time, it would be best to hail the CG on channel 16 and tell them you are going to activate your DSC distress function before you hit the switch, so they will know it is not a false signal. This would also give you the oportunity to give them the nature of the emergency, crew count, etc. Maybe someone with more experience on the subject could clarify the proper proceedure. Did you hear if the CG was able to successfully rescue the crew of the fishing boat? Jeff
signal, because those transmit on UHF frequencies up to satellites and on 121.5 MHz, sounds more like a DSC 'Distress' message sent via VHF. If I remember correctly, when you activate the 'Distress' function on a VHF DSC enabled radio, it automatically swithes to channel 70 and starts transmitting a distress message in a binary digital format. If the radio is connected to a GPS, the lat/lon info from the GPS is included in the digital distress message. Obviously, this is a handy feature to have, in that in an emergency, you needn't take the time to actually call the CG and manually give them your position. I'm not sure of the CGs' take on their use, but it would seem to me that if you had the time, it would be best to hail the CG on channel 16 and tell them you are going to activate your DSC distress function before you hit the switch, so they will know it is not a false signal. This would also give you the oportunity to give them the nature of the emergency, crew count, etc. Maybe someone with more experience on the subject could clarify the proper proceedure. Did you hear if the CG was able to successfully rescue the crew of the fishing boat? Jeff
USCG
Unfortunately the Coast Guard is acting very slowly to equip their shore stations with DSC capabilities. After all, a good DSC equipped VHF radio can cost $200 or $300. Obviously the Navy vessel was DSC equipped as are, by international convention (SOLAS), all ocean going merchant vessels. In fact, the rest of the world implemented DSC coverage in (I think) 2001. It is not uncommon for commercial vessels to receive DSC emergency calls that the Coast Guard can't hear. Personally I think this is criminal on the part of the Coast Guard. In case you don't know, most Coast Guard stations are not equipped with DSC or with radio direction finders. The only way to get your location to them is with a 406 MHz EPIRB through the regional rescue center or by calling them up on channel 16 (or getting a relay from some helpful hand) and reporting your position to them directly if you can reach them. If you are relying on your EPIRB you better hope it is a GPIRB or is connected to a GPS or the rescue center may need as much as half an hour to get a good location fix on you.
Unfortunately the Coast Guard is acting very slowly to equip their shore stations with DSC capabilities. After all, a good DSC equipped VHF radio can cost $200 or $300. Obviously the Navy vessel was DSC equipped as are, by international convention (SOLAS), all ocean going merchant vessels. In fact, the rest of the world implemented DSC coverage in (I think) 2001. It is not uncommon for commercial vessels to receive DSC emergency calls that the Coast Guard can't hear. Personally I think this is criminal on the part of the Coast Guard. In case you don't know, most Coast Guard stations are not equipped with DSC or with radio direction finders. The only way to get your location to them is with a 406 MHz EPIRB through the regional rescue center or by calling them up on channel 16 (or getting a relay from some helpful hand) and reporting your position to them directly if you can reach them. If you are relying on your EPIRB you better hope it is a GPIRB or is connected to a GPS or the rescue center may need as much as half an hour to get a good location fix on you.
The Coast Guard Does Not Fund Itself
Make it an issue with your congressman. They are putting in more DSC equipped stations everyday and all new equipment is DSC capable. They have lots of stations and lots of radios the money is simply not there to replace otherwise good radios all at once. Somwhere I imagine there is a list of what stations are next in line.
Make it an issue with your congressman. They are putting in more DSC equipped stations everyday and all new equipment is DSC capable. They have lots of stations and lots of radios the money is simply not there to replace otherwise good radios all at once. Somwhere I imagine there is a list of what stations are next in line.
Coast Guard and DSC
The Coast guard is actively pursuing installation and operational readiness training for DSC and emergency reporting including GPS coordinates on channel 70. As Rick Webb says funding is tight, but the situation is improving. For more info go to the U.S.Coast Guard homepage and link to Rescue 21. I, for one, know that they know and want the implementation of the program asap. My son is an ET second class on the Outer Banks who is installing new gear on coastal lifeboats, lifeboat stations and regional trans/receiving towers just as fast as it arrives at the shop. Steve Kamp
The Coast guard is actively pursuing installation and operational readiness training for DSC and emergency reporting including GPS coordinates on channel 70. As Rick Webb says funding is tight, but the situation is improving. For more info go to the U.S.Coast Guard homepage and link to Rescue 21. I, for one, know that they know and want the implementation of the program asap. My son is an ET second class on the Outer Banks who is installing new gear on coastal lifeboats, lifeboat stations and regional trans/receiving towers just as fast as it arrives at the shop. Steve Kamp
Nice to know where their priorities are...
Geez, the government can spend a couple HUNDRED BILLION dollars on 'rebuilding' Iraq, but they can't cough-up a few million for what is arguably one of the best things to happen in marine safety since the invention of the radio? Lovely, simply lovely. What's next, the Coast Guard has to have a bake sale or start selling candy bars in front of the grocery store to buy new uniforms? Time to call my congressman!! *grr
Geez, the government can spend a couple HUNDRED BILLION dollars on 'rebuilding' Iraq, but they can't cough-up a few million for what is arguably one of the best things to happen in marine safety since the invention of the radio? Lovely, simply lovely. What's next, the Coast Guard has to have a bake sale or start selling candy bars in front of the grocery store to buy new uniforms? Time to call my congressman!! *grr
They did have a vessel in the area and got
to them pretty quick I believe. CG had launched a copter as part of the search earlier. Last Sunday, very busy day at the marina, CG copter passing by suddenly turns and circles while dropping low over boats at mouth of breakwater. Hails 1 by name on 16 and asks if they have EPIRB onboard. Female voice replys that they do but they have just aquired the boat. CG asks them to check & states that they are receiving signal and as they circle needle points to her boat. Boaters say light not flashing on EPIRB must not be on, then whoops, how's that? I guess it was on. Afraid we must take some blame as a community for the amount of time CG spends on bogus radio calls and wrongful activations. But, I do wish we could have concentrated our resources for domestic purposes as opposed to some of the foreign operations we are involved in.
to them pretty quick I believe. CG had launched a copter as part of the search earlier. Last Sunday, very busy day at the marina, CG copter passing by suddenly turns and circles while dropping low over boats at mouth of breakwater. Hails 1 by name on 16 and asks if they have EPIRB onboard. Female voice replys that they do but they have just aquired the boat. CG asks them to check & states that they are receiving signal and as they circle needle points to her boat. Boaters say light not flashing on EPIRB must not be on, then whoops, how's that? I guess it was on. Afraid we must take some blame as a community for the amount of time CG spends on bogus radio calls and wrongful activations. But, I do wish we could have concentrated our resources for domestic purposes as opposed to some of the foreign operations we are involved in.
- Status