VHF low power button - myth or reality?

[flaming]

Was it a duplex channel?

72, so I don't think so. Just a more powerful broadcast. Which was impressive / annoying given that they were in the Medina, and we were in Hayling bay!

 

[RestlessL]

I agree with all that has been said about keeping the power down to a minimum, but surely there is another issue here, which is why do you want to use Ch 72 for race control. I thought that Ch M2 was allocated for that purpose, and gets round the need for each boat and user to hold licence/SRC.

J

 

[flaming]

I agree with all that has been said about keeping the power down to a minimum, but surely there is another issue here, which is why do you want to use Ch 72 for race control. I thought that Ch M2 was allocated for that purpose, and gets round the need for each boat and user to hold licence/SRC.

J

I don't know why they chose 72, I just read the SIs and set the VHF accordingly. But as an aside, this (and pretty much all) racing comes under ISAF offshore safety rules. In this case it is Cat 4 (inshore racing). One of the requirements of that category is a VHF radio and therefore by extension a qualified operator.

 

[prv]

why do you want to use Ch 72 for race control. I thought that Ch M2 was allocated for that purpose, and gets round the need for each boat and user to hold licence/SRC.

Yep, but I believe it's generally used for dinghy racing, for which that's a useful benefit. I think Flaming races in bigger boats, which will have normal VHF facilities anyway.

Pete

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Maybe the committee boats should have gone to M1/37 which is for the use of sailing clubs to run racing. They would have had an easier time as would the great unwashed on 72.

EDIT: (Note to self - read the whole thread, boot up brain before engaging mouth)

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Yep, but I believe it's generally used for dinghy racing, for which that's a useful benefit. I think Flaming races in bigger boats, which will have normal VHF facilities anyway.

Pete

We use M1 between committee boat and mark laying boats, and 72 to talk to competitors. That way, they are less likely to hear where we are putting the windward mark - we cant have them finding that out before the start !!