VHF and DSC questions

[jimbouy]

Sorry if this has been covered before, I have been doing various searches and (probably due to my inexperience) am still left with questions.

Any way with SBS to visit tomorrow i want to be looking at gear, not buying as i haven't found mi boat yet.... minor detail. But i am viewing another Sat eve.

Any way.

With regard to VHF radio DSC seems to be the way to go inorder to be future proof. Hand held equals poss ease of use and I can take it home so as not to have it nicked. Fixed equals use it in the cabin, but in a small trailer sailer is that relevant?, more power and a fixed ID number . Fixed with an extension speaker and some controls on the hand set gives best of both worlds?

So I wonders could one use a so called fixed VHF on some sort of removable mount, in the days of CB we called them "snatch plates"?

Also what are the advantages of DSC if you don't have GPS?

Is GPS a must even for coastal pottering?

Once again thanks in advance. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Jim

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[duncan]

removing a fixed VHF is easy if it's mounted on the normal gimbal mount - pull out ariel and power leads and remove.
whislt your set won't be able to give your position your identity will be transmitted and the coastguard can access your registered details from that ie not ideal but better than a garbled mayday identity, If you have filed your passage with the CG then they will have some idea where you are anyway, and if you are in local waters your registration details will tell them where they might be too. Basic advantage is that you can call other DSC craft direct and vice versa.
Finally you will get lots of mixed views on GPS - in my view yes in most circumstances but equally I could get by without it in most conditions too. Quite a bit depends on the nature of the craft and coast - small fast planning craft yes / stable sailboat and you can work it out from coastal navigation as you go.

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[squidge]

HH VHF = limited range & battery life Also not allowed in some places.
Buy one anyway(2nd hand?) as they are better than nothing in case you loose all power.
DSC , you can put in your coordinates manually,(OK if you have the time)and use the selective calling to contact boats you know.VHF now cheep but not much future.
The fixed set with a good arial will give you much better range when you need it.Haven't heard of a "snatch plate"for a DSC but they do come with a mounting bracket and as long as this is put somewhere thats easy to get at yopu should be able to remove it each time you leave.

GPS , How sure are you on navigation and are you short handed?A H/H GPS can plug into a DSC set and is removeable,gives you a confirmation of your calculated fix,LOG distance and much more. Saves a lot of time when shorthanded.

Hope this helps.
All IMHO ./forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[jimbouy]

squidge

I am not really sure of anything at this point... just doing lots of research.

Trying to get clear in my head what is a must have, what is nice to have and what is luxury.

I hope to have something like a Leisure 17 on a mooring in Bembridge Harbour..I have been given a price.

Its 20years since I sailed but in my youth I did a lot of dingy sailing and some bigger stuff with the ocean youth club.

My RYA day skipper theory starts on the 29th at the local adult ed.

I expect in my first season to do no moor than an hours coastal one way and an hour back, just while I get back into it and show the fairer half the ropes.

Budget asidei would go fo GPS.

I have an Ipaq with GPS I use in the car, does this offer any scope.

Thanks for your time /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Jim

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[Duster]

I would definitely go for a fixed set , power /range /clarity , are vastly better . You can use the radio without a GPS (no position would be given automaticaly )but that could be added as budget allows .Personally ,even on my small boat ,I would hate to be without a simple / low cost GPS and I find a basic echo sounder/ fishfinder very usefull to warn of approaching shallows.Approx £150 each.
As regards portability I do us an old CB snatch plate to remove the radio from my own boat .I prefer to plug the ariel direct to the radio rather that via the snatch plate to ensure best signal.
Hope that helps mikej

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[VicS]

For coastal pottering do you really need a VHF or a GPS for that matter. I bought my VHF about 1985 when you could make phone calls via the CRSs. I used it for that about twice, a hand full of times for ship to ship working and never in distress or urgency.

I suggest you get your boat, if it comes with a VHF (or GPS) fine but decide what gadgets you want in a year or twos time.

For many purposes your mobile phone will be adequate.

Good seaworthy boat the Leisure 17 I understand.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[squidge]

hi, If your Ipaq gives you your position in the correct datum for your charts you could use it. But as you say , if you are only going to do short trips within sight of land you may want to leave buying the gadgits for a little later.I used to own a Limbo 6.6 . Used her around the cans and the occasional trip.No power so no electronics,lead line for the depth and a compass. Some of the best sailing i have ever done .
First buy the boat!
Good luck and fair winds
Squidge
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[spark]

You don't need VHF (or DSC) or GPS. I have sailed hundreds of miles over 20 years in small open boats exploring the west coast of Scotland from Mull to Cape Wrath, without either.

Over the thousands of miles I have sailed on bigger boats I doubt there have been more than a handful of occasions that the VHF has been used (by me or anyone else) in a way that could be described as necessary. It's important for entering busy, unfamiliar ports and handy if you miss the shipping forcast on the tranny but otherwise it lies idle. If you do decide to go for one (for safety's sake) get a simple waterproof VHF handheld - a fixed set will take up too much valuable space in a boat as wee as a 17 footer and relies on the boat's power supply being operational, which might not be the case when you really need to call for help.

As for GPS, they are fantastic tools and I have just bought my first one but I'd recommend you save your money for the first season or two and stick to the chart and handbearing compass until you get familiar with them. A coastal pilot book and (if you're sailing somewhere with some identifiable topography) the relevant Ordnance Survey maps will also be invaluable for finding your way about.


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[Bilgediver]

The idea of GMDSS is that a signal is transmitted including the baots position and nature of distress...If there is no GPS then the boats postion has to be entered manually.....You do want the lifeboat to find you don t you...

The hand held versions of VHF are OK but I d always suggest a fixed set and you can always mount it on a CB snatch plate if thats what grabs you..

Most VHF mounts only require two bolts to be romoved and two plugs disconnected...three if a GPS connection.


The fixed set gives more range...


JoHn

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[muchy_]

For the fairly small cost of each of these items I would not even consider going to sea without them. Some people say "you dont need GPS just do it the old fashioned way". Sure, you dont need it but when you've got poor vis and that little bit of doubt creeps into your mind, its nice to know you've got it. Thats what it was invented for, its called progress. Same for the VHF, you dont need it til you need it, do you.

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[qsiv]

As others say a fixed set has better range. I've got both on board, and the HH is also a GMDSS unit, and its charger base is wired to the GPS so the position is up to date as long as the device is charging. I wouldnt bother with one and then enter a position manually. If you need GMDSS, then you need it to work immediately, not after keying in th coords (have you actually tried this whilst someone you care for is injured, or whilst your world is being turned upside down with a fire hose on you for good measure? No - such devices should stay in the showroom).

the alternative, as I was brought up, is to die quietly, like a gentleman and not worry about VHF.

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