Need Ship-to-Shore Radio recommendation

[Danthehitman]

I grew up in Michigan ... on the inland lakes I was on, no one ever heard of marine radios Maybe on the bigger stuff like Houghton Lake, and definitely on Lake St. Claire, but the typical "cottage" lake - nope.

Down here in Tennessee, on the bigger impounds and rivers I'd say it's probably 50/50 with radios. Some do, and many don't. More likely to seem them on the Tennessee River, but even then - only in certain applications.

I wouldn't run the big rivers (Tennessee / Mississippi) down here without a radio personally. I prefer having one on the bigger lakes, particularly on Percy Priest and Dale Hollow. I find them essential down on the Gulf Coast and the Great lakes.

That's interesting. I would have thought they'd be more common but I do feel more comfortable, as a total nube, having one "just in case". I'll eventually venture out to some bigger lakes once I get my boat's "cold start" issue worked out.

Thanks for the input!

 

[JASinIL2006]

Most of the folks I know who boat on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers don't carry radios. The barges do, of course, and some of the larger boats (e.g., cruisers that do long trips), but I see very few of the recreational or fishing boats with radios.

 

[dingbat]

There's one very good reason to have VHF, and that's RDF (Radio direction finding). With a VHF set, a coast station (or a vessel with RDF) can get a line on you. They can't do that using a mobile phone. If 2 RDF equipped stations get a line on your signal, they have your position. I used to be a member of a rescue group, and the WORST thing was people calling up on mobiles. Usually they didn't know their position (and we couldn't get it because...mobile phone :facepalm, or would give us there 'best guess' usually miles out, and the battery would run low at just the WRONG time. Fixed mounted 25W VHF is really the best way to go. By all means, carry the mobile, but don't use it for emergencies, that's what the VHF is for. (and SK is right, line of sight, so get as big an antenna as you can)...

One last thing. Download any one of the many free GPS apps onto your phone. Then you will have your position, accurate to 3m, if you need to call for help. I use GPSTest. Works really well, and will even give you your speed (for when you're running in speed limited areas.

Chris.........

I take it DSC isn’t the norm over there. Basic functionality is required on every radio sold in the US since 1999.

Don’t leave home without it.

AIS is also getting quite popular

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=AboutDSC

 

[achris]

I take it DSC isn’t the norm over there. Basic functionality is required on every radio sold in the US since 1999.

Don’t leave home without it.

AIS is also getting quite popular

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=AboutDSC

Recommended, but not 'required'. We are required to carry an EPIRB, and with the current safety equipment legislation changes proposed, it will need to be a GPS EPIRB.

Interestingly, the radio requirement is also going to change in the new rules. We are currently allowed to have a 27MHz marine radio, which doesn't require an operator's licence. The new rules would change that to VHF, which does require a licence to operate, which I already have anyway. I emailed the Department of Transport (responsible for the enforcement of the rules) and inquired as to how they would arrange for so many people to be trained and tested to get the required licence in time. The reply was 'interesting'... 'Oops, we hadn't thought of that'.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Chris........

 

[dingbat]

Interestingly, the radio requirement is also going to change in the new rules. We are currently allowed to have a 27MHz marine radio, which doesn't require an operator's licence. The new rules would change that to VHF, which does require a licence to operate, which I already have anyway. I emailed the Department of Transport (responsible for the enforcement of the rules) and inquired as to how they would arrange for so many people to be trained and tested to get the required licence in time..

No license requirements in the US for VHF ship to ship. Just need to register and receive your unique MMSI number to take advantage of your radio's DSC capabilities.

With the push of a button, your ID and current location is broadcast to all DSC (VHF) and AIS equipped vessels within hailing range and the Coast Guard.

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a unique 9 digit number that is assigned to a (Digital Selective Calling) DSC radio or an AIS unit. Similar to a cell phone number, your MMSI number is your unique calling number for DSC radios or an AIS unit. The information provided when obtaining a MMSI number is transferred into the U.S. Coast Guard's national distress database for use in emergency situations.

 

[mike_i]

The VHF has to either have an internal GPS or connected to an external GPS for that to work.


"With the push of a button, your ID and current location is broadcast to all DSC (VHF) and AIS equipped vessels within hailing range and the Coast Guard."