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Author: Subject: CARRYING VHF RADIOS FOR SAFETY
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[*] posted on 5-16-2006 at 06:56 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by shari
I have a good suggestion for baja travellers and lots of our visitors followed my advice and are very glad they did! I suggest buying a VHF radio,

VHF radios are for marine use only. Use for anything other than marine is subject to a very large fine and the threat of incarceration. This is stated very clearly in the instructions of every VHF radio I have seen. You are required to obtain a license for international marine use. CB (Citizens Band) or walkie talkie's is the appropriate radio for land use. The Federales or Policia can arrest you for land use of a VHF radio. It is obvious from the various postings on this topic that most people have no idea how to use a VHF appropriately. Inappropriate use is a red flag to the authorities to track you down. If you are busted, ignorance will not be a defensible excuse. Search on the Internet for VHF limitations and licensing, it is all spelled out there.
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[*] posted on 5-16-2006 at 07:17 PM


Hey newbie, lighten up !!

Many Baja veterans have used them for years.
In many areas it is the accepted way to communicate.
Cell phone coverage is still spotty in Baja leaving the marine radios as the only method of contacting neighbors or calling for help.
CB or toy walkie-talkies usually don't get out far enough unless you're on the road or near some towns where they are still used quite a bit.

Are you with the MCC ??
.
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[*] posted on 5-16-2006 at 07:55 PM
I'm SOOOO Scared


I don't know about you, but I'm sitting here shivering with fear now that I know I've been breaking the law (for about 20 years or so). IF only I'd known. Please forgive me. I can't face the idea of incarceration. Please, Lord, I've repented. I won't ever do it again. Well, maybe tomorrow.
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[*] posted on 5-16-2006 at 09:34 PM


Better tell the taxi drivers about those laws, they have their own channel in this area.



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[*] posted on 5-16-2006 at 11:08 PM


http://www.boatwashington.org/marine_radio_information.htm



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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 06:37 AM


Some of you have replied with sarcasm and ridicule, is this the norm for the typical Baja Nomad?

The use of VHF radios as proposed on this forum is illegal and could possibly endanger others (marine use) who are using it legally. VHF is an international system with international rules. This from the US Coast Guard FAQ site:

"Question: I live far from the ocean. Now that portable VHF marine radios are inexpensive and unlicensed (for use in the United States), and have 68 channels, can I use them for communicating with my buddies while hunting or similar purposes off the water? A recent outdoors magazine recommended I consider doing so.

Answer: No! Although the FCC does not require boaters with these radios have a license, users not following FCC rules on the use of these radios are still subject to severe fines. Although you may not be near the ocean, you may be near an inland waterway, or propagation anomalies may cause your transmission to be heard in a waterway. If this occurs, depending upon the channel on which you are transmitting, you could interfere with a search and rescue case, or help cause a collision between passing ships. The FCC recently established a family radio service for the purposes you describe. Consider using it instead."

The increased use of VHF radios in an inappropriate and illegal manner will lead to more regulation and restrictions. I think that nobody wants more regulation. Use VHF radios for their intended purpose.
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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 08:13 AM


Who was sarcastic or ridiculous! Stop it all of you.

Bad nomads, bad!




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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 08:39 AM
Oxxo----


------it is just that for those of us that have been "Nomads" for several years this marine VHF conversation has gone on many, many times. We are all aware of what Marine Radios are intended to be used for. What people do individually is up to them--------and no amount of chastisement is going to do anything more than irritate, but your points are well taken.
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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 08:51 AM
Betcha don't use that marine VHF....


up in Maricopa county!


Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
I don't know about you, but I'm sitting here shivering with fear now that I know I've been breaking the law (for about 20 years or so). IF only I'd known. Please forgive me. I can't face the idea of incarceration. Please, Lord, I've repented. I won't ever do it again. Well, maybe tomorrow.


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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 08:52 AM


:lol::lol::lol::lol: "lencho" that was funny!
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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 09:05 AM


All this about breaking the FCC rules will someone remind me that the people that are using the VHF radios in their homes are in Mexico and they have their own set of rules. Yes SCT Mexico enforces their rules, some base stations in homes have been confiscated, but also Portable handhelds (used extensivly by the Yachtes) have been confiscated.

[Edited on 5-17-2006 by comitan]




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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 09:20 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
Most of my friends in Baja use 2 meter radios.Lots more distance because of repeater towers.


Interesting. Whose repeaters are they? Is this amatur radio bands?

--Larry


Any info about locations and freq's of the repeaters. In the US they are operated by Ham Clubs and their are directories of freq's




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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 09:25 AM


There is no central listing that I am aware of but if you google "baja ham radio repeater", you will get hits on a few clubs that list their repeater frequencies.
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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 09:40 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by whistler
Maybe Wild Bill or Elena La Loca can answer your question.
I know that the ranchos use two meters.
Also when I took one down to a friend he had to cut/remove a wire to be able to get it to work correctly.


Sounds like he cut the diod to open up the transmit freq's. They then can operate on a lot of commercial freq's as well as the Marine bands.




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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 10:08 AM


My goodness, this thread certainly opened a can of worms...just for the record, I am a licensed radio operator and have a panga and a sail boat and my husband is a ham operator working with the local Protecion Civil who are licensed to carry and operate radios, just in case a fellow Nomad wants to turn me in. Hey, my suggestion of having a VHF on hand has saved a few friends butts over the years and we have helped lots of people who put out radio calls. We moniter channel 16... 24/7 for this reason and are aware of how annoying radio abuse is...when yachties read their shopping lists to their wives onshore and the tuna fishermen play ranchero music for all to enjoy. It would be great if all radio owners familiarize themselves with proper radio protocol and better yet, get licenses..I'm all for that for sure...but I am amazed at the number of people that come here and go fishing, kayaking and diving who do not have radios...we end up worrying about them when they are overdue and have to launch search parties to find them and it's a real pain in the trasero. Sorry for bringing up this topic again all you Nomad oldies...I'm the new kid on the beach remember!



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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 10:13 AM


Good advice no matter what, shari

Believe the FCC in the old country allows transmission by any person on any radio in matters of extreeme emergence - life threatening situations.




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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 10:54 AM
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Neil - I use my various Marine Radios ANYWHERE I feel like it and have NEVER felt in danger of citation OR arrest. I even use my Cobra 2.5 watts when the wife and I roam Walmart or other stores. Away from the coast there is something like ZERO chance that you'll be DF'd by the FCC. Even ON the coast, there is little chance. Besides, when we used them down in San Diego, we used ficticious Boat Names. Although you are required to use your call letters during the transmission, nobody (well, maybe one percent) does and the Coast Guard doesn't do ANYTHING. They can't even catch up with the Jerk Kids who play games on the Radio. Since I NEVER use channel 9 or 16, the thought that I could endanger someone in distress is pure BS.

Speaking of 2-meter band radios, legally, that's a real NO-NO. Maybe Oxxo can get on that and leave us alone. In the past, I was kept busy on numerous trips North picking up 2-meters for Mexicans. There should be a real surplus now in the San Felipe area for 2-meters since EVERY Mexican I know now uses a Cel Phone. In Percebu, they call from house to house on their Mex Cel Phones. There should be a lot of used 2-meters available.

Lastly, I have no intention to travel to Maricopa County, but I would feel completely safe using my radios there, too. Ol Joe is not running around with DF equipment hunting down Marine VHF abusers. Even if he were, he wouldn't catch me. This is one of those situations where anybody DUMB enough to get caught deserves everything he gets hit with.

[Edited on 5-17-2006 by MrBillM]
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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 03:08 PM


The following is from a previous post of mine on the same topic:

"VHF Radio usage"

"Usage of the VHF FM channels is very common in Baja, but please be aware that these channels are used by the Navy, immigration, Pemex, and Port Captains, and, importantly, for distress calls by boats. In La Paz and many areas, channel 22 is the hailing channel. Everybody monitors this channel. When you make contact with someone on Ch 22, then switch to another unused channel so others can use the hailing channel and not have to listen to your conversation. Channels 24 thru 28 are duplex only and require a special radio, so don't move to these channels, it won't work. Ch 14 is reserved for Port Captains, Ch 9 is Pemex, Ch 10 and 11 are Navy, Ch 74 is Ferry business, Ch 83 is immigration, and Ch 88 is Aduana. Obviously you wouldn't want to block communications with Aduana or the others. Channel 16 is an international calling frequency for ships, monitored by the Navy and Port Captains and commercial shipping. This leaves many channels to switch to to enjoy your radio contact without interference to others. There is also a marked difference in signal strength between the lower channels (like 5) and the higher ones (like 68). If you lose contact try going up or down in frequency. These are not private conversations and everybody will know your business. Kinda like a party line."

Now it is a given that the VHF marine radio is used in Mexico on land, sea, etc.. It has been for many years. Typical radios in a boat/car run 25 watts. FRS radios do not compare. In response that "yachties" in Bahia Asuncion talk on channel 16 (the calling channel, monitored by Mexican Navy and Port authorities, commercial ships) and give lengthy "shopping lists to shore", if that is true, a simple reminder to switch to another channel will suffice. Most cruisers know ch. 16 is only for calling, distress, etc. and always switch to another channel. Ham radio operators in Mexico have repeaters for the two meter band. Few are open, most require a special tone to be transmitted with the transmission to get them to operate. Without 2 meter repeaters, a marine VHF radio is more reliable simply due to the fact that there are more people monitoring these frequencies. Most boats are monitoring ch 16 when out at sea as this is the calling freq.

SCT regulates radio communications in Mexico. Even hams are required to get a Merxican reciprocal license to operate in Mexico. Boaters are required to have an operator and station license for their VHF in Mexico (also radar, EPIRB, etc). Enforcement is ineffective so the aforementioned is pretty open. It would seem that one needs to be aware of the fact that their communications can interfere with others and avoid that possibility.

Jack Swords, s/v La Paloma, N1IY
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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 04:04 PM
Jack


Yada, Yada, Yada.

So What !

You do it your way and I'll do it mine. Betcha I never get caught.
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[*] posted on 5-17-2006 at 05:16 PM


Mr. Bill...

Read my post again! Never once did I criticize your usage. Quite the contrary, it was a post indicating that VHF marine is a part of life in Baja for locals and others. It is an effective means of communication. I simply tried to show that there are others who use it for commercial, government and emergency needs and we need to be aware of certain channels to avoid. That does not negate its usefulness to you or others. As an Extra Class Ham, a sailboat cruiser, resident of Baja, I thought I could offer some useful information to the thread. I am sorry that you took offense to the post. That certainly was not its intent.
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