Curt63
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Handheld VHS for emergencies
I'm considering buying an inexpensive handheld VHS radio to call for help if I get stuck in a lonely spot.
I dont need a radio that spends a lot of time out on the water in the spray. It will sit in a ziploc in my truck or backpack.
Does this unit look like a decent one? Your thoughts please. Are there other features that would be desirable?
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/55004?feat=509164-GN3
Thanks, Curt
No worries
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TMW
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I'm no marine radio expert but it looks good to me for a reasonable price. Go for it.
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vgabndo
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Curt, what's the point. That device still doesn't play VHS movies in an emergency! 
I have a little one I got from West Marine. I found that if I used it and a Yachtee heard me and I wasn't using their "proper" form they'd make me
unwelcome on their frequency. I did get a weather forecast once while isolated in San Nicolas'. Otherwise, I could never raise ANYONE on the thing,
and in an emergency feel it would be about as valuable as praying! It doesn't
play movies either!
[Edited on 9-9-2011 by vgabndo]
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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bajaguy
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Curt, I assume you mean a VHF marine band radio........if so, I believe that VHF is generally a line-of-sight operation, so if you can't see them, you
GENERALLY cannot talk to them.
My suggestion is to get a SPOT satellite tracker
http://www.findmespot.com/en/
Although you can't "talk" to people, you can send OK messages, send a HELP message, or in the event of a real emergency, send a 911 message. SPOT will
also allow people you designate on your account to track your progress.
I have a SPOT and never leave on a trip without it. Works great in Baja. I also have the search & rescue/medical evacuation insurance package for
my wife and I......
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BajaWarrior
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Curt,
We have the Standard Horizon HX280S which is submersible and came with both the 110v. and 12v charger with mountable cradle for just over $100 from
West Marine in Point Loma (San Diego).
Works very well, we use it car to car when in the desert. No problem 5 miles line of sight even better on the water.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaWarrior
We have the Standard Horizon HX280S which is submersible |
That must be what this guy is using:
http://tinyurl.com/3msmus6
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Barry A.
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Curt----------I have that exact radio and have had it for about 3 years---------it is a 5 watt, and that is about max. power legally in the USA for
that type of hand-held radio. That particular radio is a Marine Band radio and there are legalities involved in using it, both in the USA and in
Mexico, I believe. You probably are not going to be in trouble for using it, but be aware that technically you could get in trouble if you use it for
car-to-car conversations, etc.. Having said that, many do exactly that and I have never heard of anybody being shot for doing it. Just use common
sense if you get that radio, and don't abuse it, especially when near the water------.
MIDLAND makes other hand-held 5 watt radios that are on freqs. that are approved for general use, and they are probably a better deal, and certainly
more "legal", and they are a bit less expensive. I have both types, and use one or the other depending on where I am. In an emergency, they certainly
are better than having nothing.
The other suggestions on this thread are also right on target.
Barry
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Martyman
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If you go to BOLA there are alot of people on VHF. People even try to sell stuff on it. I have a cheap hand held West Marine that I've had for 8
years-works great.
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woody with a view
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Curt
i have a Uniden Atlantis 250 and a Midland Nautico 1. both got on amazon or ebay for around $110 delivered. the work great for caravaning and
exploring. i often wonder about who will hear me/you "out there." prolly nobody.
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Jack Swords
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This is from a previous post, but worth repeating:
Usage of the VHF marine 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.
Jack Swords, s/v La Paloma, N1IY
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bajabass
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Heck, I pick up the yachties in La Paz having swapmeets on channel 22 in my house in El Centenario on weekend mornings. If you are polite and follow
the rules, a VHF can be very usefull. If you are near the coast, on or off the water, one could come in very handy.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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beachbum1A
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Does anyone care that a VHS radio is strickly for marine use and it is against the law to use it to hail a private party on land?
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AmoPescar
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Curt,
I would post the same question on Fred Metcalf's Baja Board for 'Wild Bill' to see. He's an expert in radio communications and equipment and does
radio communications professionally for the SCORE races, etc.
He should be able to give you some expert advice or tell you what and where to buy it.
http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/bajaPages/MsgBoard/
Michael / Amo Pescar   
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Curt63
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Great info. Thanks everybody.
No worries
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tripledigitken
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Rechargeable batteries with a 12v power plug for your car is an important feature.
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Cardon Man
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| Quote: | Originally posted by beachbum1A
Does anyone care that a VHS radio is strickly for marine use and it is against the law to use it to hail a private party on land?
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Does anyone care that it's a VHF radio, not VHS? Very High Frequency.
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woody with a view
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| Quote: | Originally posted by beachbum1A
Does anyone care that a VHS radio is strickly for marine use and it is against the law to use it to hail a private party on land?
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no. not where we go....
edit: i just worry about the roving military picking up our conversations and coming to look, thinking we're up to no good....
[Edited on 9-10-2011 by woody with a view]
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bajaandy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
My suggestion is to get a SPOT satellite tracker
http://www.findmespot.com/en/
Although you can't "talk" to people, you can send OK messages, send a HELP message, or in the event of a real emergency, send a 911 message. SPOT will
also allow people you designate on your account to track your progress.
I have a SPOT and never leave on a trip without it. Works great in Baja. I also have the search & rescue/medical evacuation insurance package for
my wife and I...... |
Hey Curt, I second this advice. I've had a SPOT for years. Never needed it, but it's there if I do. Fun to send the OK message and then see it when
you get back home. The new version DOES LET YOU "TALK" to people through a wifi link to your smart phone. Limited text messages can be sent and (I
believe) received. Check it out.
I've carried various kinds of two way radios in Baja. None are perfect. Most rely on line of sight to function well. You might consider something like
a 2 meter radio instead of marine. I've been hastled a couple of times at check points when I used to have my CB radio in the truck. I was told that I
needed to have a radio "permit". I'm sure a hand held would more out of sight out of mind.
The next step would be a Sat-Phone. Kinda pricy though.
subvert the dominant paradigm
"If you travel with a man, you must either fall out with him or make him your good friend."
JBL Noel
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