Marine Radio suggestions?

[pthorner]

I have the Icom M-72 and like the radio a lot. There are many good radios but the key is how you carry it - in a good bag like an Aquapac. If the radio is not in a bag, wind noise can make your transmissions unreadable as can water on the microphone. I have called in for a rescue after someone else called in and the Coast Guard did not respond. I talked to the watch stander and he told me that the first calls, from a radio not in a bag in 30 mph wind, were all unintelligible. Make sure to check your radio. Any radio will corrode and fail is left in a pouch with trace seawater. Also, Icom does make a model that does float. If there is a bit of air in your waterproof bag, it will likely float but too much air might lead to a blown seam if you fall on it.

There is a new Standard Horizon HX850S out that has integrated GPS. I'm thinking about getting it. The Coast Guard loves to get a GPS position and with multiple position reports, they can calculate your drift rate and direction and maybe home in on you even if your battery dies later or if you in the dark or under the fog and can't see landmarks to give your geographic location (let alone know which way to swim unless you brought a compass).

I need to do a couple updates, but here is the VHF guide from sfba.org:
http://sfba.org/MarineRadioGuide.shtml

Peter Thorner
SFBA

[h2oshots]

USCG Station Golden Gate : 415.331.8247

You can look up other CG stations in your area and save them in your cell
directory. Dialing 911 puts you through to CHP dispatch and can take forever.

[byronw]

After 10 years of sailing a few miles off Coyote, I'm finally getting around to looking for a radio. This string has been a great help. Thanks to all who contributed! I also appreciate that this is one of the few long strings which hasn't degenerated into an irrelevant discussion of politics, sexism, name calling or insults. I think perhaps it's because those who are contributing to this string understand the seriousness of the risks we take when sailing deep into the Bay and abide by an unspoken understanding that we will and do try to look out for each other out there.
Thanks,
Byron

[jjstien]

I use a go phone or something like it. Buy it with minutes for $60-80. Minutes aren't used unless you use the phone. I have coast guard and stfyc numbers on it and keep it in a bag inside my camelbak. Check the charge every month or so. My regular cell is an iphone that I don't trust to stand up to the rigors of moisture and physical abuse.

CG would prefer you use radio as they can triangulate your position. Newer phones will have required gps soon and will make finding you becalmed in fog a possibility... should that ever happen

sail fast