Bajamatic - 9-22-2006 at 11:00 AM
Does anyone carry/monitor VHF radios? Is there a "Nomad" channel?
[Edited on 9-22-2006 by Bajamatic]
bajalou - 9-22-2006 at 03:20 PM
If you mean Marine VHFs, various channels are monitored in different locations.
Hook - 9-22-2006 at 05:30 PM
I think you mean on land?
Which is, of course, illegal.
But most of us do it, anyway!
Maybe this is a good opportunity to establish a land-traveling frequency designation for Nomads? Be nice to have a couple frequencies to use if you
need more range than the FRS's.
These are the most frequently used ones on the water, so we wouldn't want to choose these, for fear of interfering;
9,16, 22a, 24, 26, 28, 68,72, 77, 79
Any others we should consider offlimits, guys and gals? Maybe there are some shore-to-shore frequencies in specific locales (like the south campos or
Abreojos) that we should also avoid for road chatter?
After we agree on the no-nos, maybe we can agree on a main channel and a secondary channel for road use?
Anyone else interested in pursuing this?
Bajamatic - 9-22-2006 at 06:26 PM
So based on this thread thus far is it fair to say that if I were to add a radio to my baja land vehicle, that the best choice as far as having the
best chance of raising someone not in my party would be to use a marine radio (this is of course disregarding any ethical or legal issues regarding
using a Marine Radio on land)? As opposed to a CB, which is what I had intended to ask about in the first place.
[Edited on 9-23-2006 by Bajamatic]
Diver - 9-22-2006 at 08:18 PM
CB is best for road travel. Many of the caravans and some locals use them.
VHF is used more in towns ie Loreto, Mulege, BLA etc for boat to shore and shore to shore. Probably be hard to get a VHF response if you break down in
the middle of no-where (unless no-where is near the water or a fishing village).
bajaguy - 9-22-2006 at 08:39 PM
My 2 cents worth would be to monitor channel 16 (so you could hear everything), make contact then go to a "nomads" specific channel for chatting.
I would also use a 36" stainless or fiberglass antenna.
[Edited on 9-23-2006 by bajaguy]
Bob and Susan - 9-23-2006 at 03:32 AM
they make some nice handheld vhf radios that don't take 30 batteries now so you can take them anywhere
I woldn't mount anything in the truck anymore
FRS radios are the best between caravaning cars...and cheap too
CB's are almost extinct....except for the "good buddy" truckers and "CB women"
lookin to hook-up
VHF Radio usage
Jack Swords - 9-23-2006 at 07:14 AM
Marine band users in Baja need to be aware of channels used by other agencies so you don't interfere with emergency and Gov't communications. Many
channels are used by Aduana, port authority, immigration, for example. Sure wouldn't want to mess with some of them.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=13601
[Edited on 23-9-2006 by Jack Swords]
bajaguy - 9-23-2006 at 08:43 AM
Midland makes a cool little pocket sized FM radio with both 5w and 2w transmit. Also has weather chnnels. About $60 in various catalogs (sportsmans
outlet). Uses 4 AA batteries
BajaNomad - 9-23-2006 at 10:30 PM
Since this is actually a pretty serious matter, I feel I should remind Nomads of the forum rules stating:
"You agree not to post or transmit... any material which encourages conduct that would... violate any applicable local, state, national or
international law."
Your consideration and understanding is appreciated.
Regards,
--
Doug Means
Hook - 9-23-2006 at 10:42 PM
I guess the most recent post begs the question.......are there specific laws that preclude the use of VHF radios by individuals in Mexico for land
transmissions? Clearly, there are several agencies in Mexico that are using it for this purpose (Aduana, Pemex, etc.).
BajaWarrior - 10-3-2006 at 11:23 PM
South Campos San Felipe use channel 69 for hailing, down or up one or two channels for conversation. The VHF is used widespread and in fact is relied
upon for contacting the local police, fire department, and doctor, as well as communication between friends and general announcements. Doesn't seem to
be a problem, as the local fisherman don't use radios, and the offshore shrimp boats use their own channel.
chino - 10-4-2006 at 07:41 AM
Bajamatic , we have a base mounted in the camper and carry handhelds in our kayaks, I spent some time in the cold water within 1/2 mile of a fishing
boat and they never saw or heard me, If I had a handheld it would have been a much shorter day. I think the more people who at least monitor the
better.
vgabndo - 10-4-2006 at 11:32 AM
Notwithstanding the most common use in the US, truckers using them to keep track of the police so they can speed, there is nothing wrong with CB.
When I got stuck behind a HUGE convoy of motorhomes in the mountains south of El Rosario, the radio was the only thing that got me past them SAFELY in
a reasonable length of time.
I have my hand held VHF for the skiff.
Doug is right, we shouldn't be part of corrupting the legal use of VHF. It was the illegal use of CB's, and the lack of ANY meaningful enforcement of
the FCC laws relative to them that forced most people away from those frequencies.
Good Buddy is NOT a legal call sign, and there IS a legal maximum output for a CB radio. On my CB in Baja, it is not uncommon to know where the
Colorado Highway Patrol is parked.
shari - 10-4-2006 at 03:04 PM
For safety emergencies, Chanel 16 works well, we have dealt with many highway emergencies and used our VHF. Almost everyone who travels these poor
roads have them in their vehicles and monitor all the time. On the mid west coast the co-ops use chanel 10,12,14...so it's best to avoid the lower
chanels. Sailing vessels use 68,69,72 alot and we use 25 for messages here.
Gadget - 10-5-2006 at 10:14 PM
Bajamatic,
I am a pit Captain for Team Locos Mocos (www.LococMocos.com) a remote pit service for the SCORE races. We use VHF radios exclusively for our radio communication, pre-running, at the pits
and during the race. They are referred to as "race radios" and are a modified HAM radio. A Kenwood unit can be purchased at Ham Radio Outlet in San
Diego or you can pick one up from Bob Steinberger at PCI Radios. You have to "neuter" the radio so it will not transmit one registered frequencies by
removing a little chip in the back of some radios or in my case with the Kenwood TM-261 it's a tiny wire that you cut. We broadcast on 151.775. We
usually have a 15 to 20 mile range in uneven terrain and have talked in line of sight situations like on the Pacific side around San Juanico for 60+
miles. The locals use them also as we have chatted with fishermen friends near our favorite surfing spots on our frequency. They call them "dos
metros" as a properly tuned antenna is around 6 feet or 2 meters long. The guys at HRO or PCI are very helpful. I also know a guy who does mobile
tuning and repairs that will come to your house (in San Diego) and tune everything. He works on all the emergency services radio equipment in SD.
Hope that helps. There's nothing illegal here, unless it's what you talk about.
Gadget