Where is VHF Actually Used, Please ?

[alan_fincher]

Thanks Allan,

 

All crystal clear to me, but would probably need explanation to those without the radio theory, I suspect.

 

I was hoping you would say 5/8, as 7/8 might be a pain, and I'm certain I have the smaller one somewhere, of the type you describe. (Seem to recall mine has some curious small stubs that screw into the middle join piece, but that may have been a rather bridge scraping 7/8 one!)

 

The 5/8 should bend for any bridge I'm likely to use whilst I have the radio on, I think. I can see from here I still have a 2 metre SWR meter, (on the shelf, unused for about 19 years!).

 

I'm glad I've never thrown the antennas out now.....

 

(Or did I ? )

[sueb]

Does anyone know of a list of vhf courses around the country? We never seem to be in Reading at the right time and the RYA make life very difficult to find dates and places of courses.

Sue

[carlt]

Does anyone know of a list of vhf courses around the country? We never seem to be in Reading at the right time and the RYA make life very difficult to find dates and places of courses.

Sue

The RYA publish a catalogue of their courses and locations each year. This is given out free with Practical Boat Owner magazine but they ought to send one out, if asked.

 

 

Also try this link:

 

Clicky

[alan_fincher]

I have this one

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/4764/...0-dsc-vhf-radio

on the barge mainly because it has ATIS if I ever get to mainland europe

 

and this one

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/309/c...5-dsc-vhf-radio

on the Yot

Both work well and are waterproof to IPx7 which means 1m depth.

 

Receiver on the midland seems slightly more sensitive The Cobra will reach London VTS from teddington with ease

I will try and remember to let you know about the Midland after next weekend.

 

Presumably there is a big difference in capability between even the cheapest fixed sets, (with 25 watts output and a proper whip), and even the best hand-helds (with a maximum of say 6 watts, and possibly only a "rubber duck").

 

So if I elect to go for a good hand-held, (say an Icom with 5 or 6 watts), am I likely to struggle at any point between Teddington and Limehouse if I need to call London VTS ?

 

How would the hand-held compare to a fixed set, if I also connected it to a proper whip, please ? My gut feel is it should be as good on Rx, and not that far behind on Tx, but is that optimistic ?

 

Are there "dead spots" on the Thames in London ?

 

I still can't decide between "fixed" or hand-held - I rather fancy the ability to take a portable onto someone else's boat, even if it's only to see what goes on in a world I don't usually inhabit!

[sueb]

The RYA publish a catalogue of their courses and locations each year. This is given out free with Practical Boat Owner magazine but they ought to send one out, if asked.

 

 

Also try this link:

 

Clicky

Thanks. I will try the PBO mag. It may be me but I didn't find anything about VHF courses on the clicky

Sue

[carlt]

Thanks. I will try the PBO mag. It may be me but I didn't find anything about VHF courses on the clicky

Sue

Look under:

 

Marine Radio Short Range Certificate Course

[Ray]

I've just booked a course near Thame on Monday 24 May.

 

There were a couple of places left (as we were the first to book) if anyone is interested. PM me for details.

[GUMPY]

Presumably there is a big difference in capability between even the cheapest fixed sets, (with 25 watts output and a proper whip), and even the best hand-helds (with a maximum of say 6 watts, and possibly only a "rubber duck").

 

So if I elect to go for a good hand-held, (say an Icom with 5 or 6 watts), am I likely to struggle at any point between Teddington and Limehouse if I need to call London VTS ?

 

How would the hand-held compare to a fixed set, if I also connected it to a proper whip, please ? My gut feel is it should be as good on Rx, and not that far behind on Tx, but is that optimistic ?

 

Are there "dead spots" on the Thames in London ?

 

I still can't decide between "fixed" or hand-held - I rather fancy the ability to take a portable onto someone else's boat, even if it's only to see what goes on in a world I don't usually inhabit!

 

Unless there are some decent atmospherics you will struggle to get from Teddinton to London VTS on a handheld even on a decent antenna.

Although you will hear VTS all the way to Teddington the normal reliable limit of contact on a HH is somewhere around Wandsworth. Remember that many handhelds only put out 5 watts when connected to DC power.

 

From memory I cant remember any dead spots it just gets worse the further towards Teddington you get.

 

You will need a T licence to use a portable on someone else's boat, unless that boat is licensed. I had this for many years and still have the licence but I don't actually remember ever using it..........................

 

In reality the main reason for me to have VHF on the Thames (apart from legalities) is to listen to London VTS to see what traffic movements are going on so that I am aware if anything large is moving.

 

What would I recommend? well its possibly overkill but a fixed set with a decent antenna and a waterproof handheld that is what I have on both boats.

Having said that the fixed set gets more use on the barge and the handheld gets more use on the Yot mainly because it is across open water and the range is good enough for the contacts that I need to make.

 

If money is tight then either the Cobra or the Midland and a Victronix antenna. I have the programming software for the Midland so I can add other channels to my set as well as reset the MMSI if I decide to move the set about.

[alan_fincher]

Thanks Julian,

 

Very helpful.

 

I can't say I'm that concerned about London VTS as far up as Teddington, anyway - after all, there is the exemption on the Teddington to Brentford stretch, and, (now I know you should! ), there is always the mobile phone.

 

Some of the ICOM hand-helds do 6 watts, but I can't imagine that is materially different from the more usual 5 watts offered by many.

 

Unless such sets have deaf front ends, I can't see why I shouldn't be able to at least hear nearly as much with a hand-held as I would with a fixed set, provided I was using a full antenna.

 

At the moment I'm erring towards the hand-held, but as £80 will buy you a decent enough fixed set, it seems, if I ultimately decide that's what I want, it's not going to break the bank.

 

(I assume I can't just find a "2-metre" linear amp from my "stores" and hang it off my Marine hand-held, then ? )

[Timleech]

Some of the ICOM hand-helds do 6 watts, but I can't imagine that is materially different from the more usual 5 watts offered by many.

 

Unless such sets have deaf front ends, I can't see why I shouldn't be able to at least hear nearly as much with a hand-held as I would with a fixed set, provided I was using a full antenna.

 

Aerial height is probably more important than power where range is concerned. For those who worry about radiation from mobile phones, I wonder how that from a 6 watt handheld VHF compares?

 

Tim

[sueb]

Look under:

I have gone for the 'contact us' option as you have to try and guess where the courses are. I found it a most frustrating site. RYA don't believe in alphabetical order.

Sue

[Canalwatcher]

You should be able to locate a course by putting a location into the link below

 

http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/Page...ningCentre.aspx

 

For course type select "specialist short courses" and for course name select "Marine radio short range certificate"

 

Then add a location for a list of nearest courses - there seem to be plenty of them!

 

Mick

[sueb]

You should be able to locate a course by putting a location into the link below

 

http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/Page...ningCentre.aspx

 

For course type select "specialist short courses" and for course name select "Marine radio short range certificate"

 

Then add a location for a list of nearest courses - there seem to be plenty of them!

 

Mick

Thanks for info. I have had a reply from RYA and they want to know my location. That is the problem. I won't be here tomorrow. Why they just can't produce a list of courses and locations I don't know. If I know there is a course on route I may be able to get the timing right otherwise I haven't a hope in hell. I would have thought RYA would understand that people move around.

Sue

[GUMPY]

Thanks for info. I have had a reply from RYA and they want to know my location. That is the problem. I won't be here tomorrow. Why they just can't produce a list of courses and locations I don't know. If I know there is a course on route I may be able to get the timing right otherwise I haven't a hope in hell. I would have thought RYA would understand that people move around.

Sue

 

http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/Page...ningCentre.aspx

 

You know where you are going so put that in the box marked location, keep putting different parts of your journey in until you find one that corresponds with where you will be and when. The search area covers some 50 km round each location for example hemel brings up centres from Basildon, London, Bisham and Bedford.

Its not rocket science even for you

Edited April 30, 2010 by idleness

[alan_fincher]

When enquiring, I found two things......

 

1) Advertised VHF courses don't necessarily happen. They may decide to cancel them if they don't get several people at once.

2) On the other hand, other trainers seem flexible on dates, and may well be prepared to run one to suit your requirements, maybe even at their home.

 

I'm not sure many will run them for one person, but if two of you wish to do it, you may well be able to negotiate something that is not on any published RYA lists. (There were three on my scheduled course, and as I booked late, I'm sure it would have run with only the two he already had).

 

I not sure where you are at the moment, but prices can rise as you come South. IIRC, Nottingham, (Trent Boat Handling) is £20 per head less overall than Bedford (Walton Training), for example. Both have received recommendations on here, as has a rather more illusive man in Leighton Buzzard. The Bedford chap appears to post on here from time to time.

[Naughty Cal]

The course with Lincolnshire Boat Training is highly recommended.

[sueb]

http://www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/Page...ningCentre.aspx

 

You know where you are going so put that in the box marked location, keep putting different parts of your journey in until you find one that corresponds with where you will be and when. The search area covers some 50 km round each location for example hemel brings up centres from Basildon, London, Bisham and Bedford.

Its not rocket science even for you

And what do you think the chances of there being one during the few days I may be there? Finding a needle in a haystack seems easier. Even RYA head office have given up and said their system can't do it.

We are heading for Liverpool with a mobile signal. Many thanks for all the replies.

Sue

[Big John]

wouldn't it be a good idea if there was a course at the Crick Show?

Edited April 30, 2010 by Big John

[Timleech]

And what do you think the chances of there being one during the few days I may be there? Finding a needle in a haystack seems easier. Even RYA head office have given up and said their system can't do it.

We are heading for Liverpool with a mobile signal. Many thanks for all the replies.

Sue

 

Give Hoylake sailing School a ring

 

http://www.hss.ac.uk/joomla/

 

Tim

[GUMPY]

I have this one

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/4764/...0-dsc-vhf-radio

on the barge mainly because it has ATIS if I ever get to mainland europe

 

and this one

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/product/309/c...5-dsc-vhf-radio

on the Yot

Both work well and are waterproof to IPx7 which means 1m depth.

 

Receiver on the midland seems slightly more sensitive The Cobra will reach London VTS from teddington with ease

I will try and remember to let you know about the Midland after next weekend.

Midland worked well back from Teddinton to London VTS decent signal even with the antenna down at roof lever rather than up on the arch. However I do have the 1.5m victronix which has 6db gain

[alan_fincher]

Midland worked well back from Teddinton to London VTS decent signal even with the antenna down at roof lever rather than up on the arch. However I do have the 1.5m victronix which has 6db gain

Sorry, I missed this feedback - many thanks.

 

Good value then those very cheap fixed sets, it seems.

 

In practice I decided to risk a hand-held, and bought an Icom IC-M35, (one of the "will float" types).

 

Having taken it with me on my trip with "Keeping Up" the other day it seems pretty good, but, as expected, will need an external antenna up at Teddington.

 

The only shock so far has been the specialised adaptor to convert the bespoke antenna socket to BNC, (couldn't get one direct to SO-239). Cheapest was direct from Icom, (as they don't charge carriage), but at circa £15 it's a total rip off.

 

Currently trying to get a 2 metre antenna working correctly on 2 metres, before I start snipping it for VHF marine use. At least a 2 metre rig not used in 20 years fired up OK. I suspect I'll ditch the calculations in the end, and just go for trial and error!

[NB Willawaw]

My Icom IC-M31 is the same.

 

It has a female closed connector in the radio body which accepts a male stud screw connector from the helical aerial.

 

I suppose it stops water getting inside the radio, but its difficult to get a suitable external aerial adaptor in the radio dealers, unless you buy the Icom adapter at £15/16.

 

 

 

The only shock so far has been the specialised adaptor to convert the bespoke antenna socket to BNC, (couldn't get one direct to SO-239). Cheapest was direct from Icom, (as they don't charge carriage), but at circa £15 it's a total rip off.

[GUMPY]

Currently trying to get a 2 metre antenna working correctly on 2 metres, before I start snipping it for VHF marine use. At least a 2 metre rig not used in 20 years fired up OK. I suspect I'll ditch the calculations in the end, and just go for trial and error!

 

 

(150 x 0.95) / Freq mhz gives the half wave length in metres, worked every time for me, just divide the result by two for a 1/4 wave

[blackrose]

I have a Silva S12 handheld - which I don't find easy to operate. Last time I used it on a night trip from Limehouse to Teddington I couldn't hear a thing above the noise of the wind apart from the loud beeping as transmissions were made and recieved on Ch14. Why does it beep so much and what does it mean? Do all VHF radios do this? Is there a way to switch off the beeping apart from increasing squelch?

 

I couldn't fit a fixed set on my boat as the steering position is at least 5ft away from the stern doors, but my handheld does take an external antenna.

Edited May 19, 2010 by blackrose

[Naughty Cal]

I have a Silva S12 handheld - which I don't find easy to operate. Last time I used it on a night trip from Limehouse to Teddington I couldn't hear a thing above the noise of the wind apart from the loud beeping as transmissions were made and recieved on Ch14. Why does it beep so much and what does it mean? Do all VHF radios do this? Is there a way to switch off the beeping apart from increasing squelch?

 

I couldn't fit a fixed set on my boat as the steering position is at least 5ft away from the stern doors, but my handheld does take an external antenna.

 

I cant tell you why yours is beeping but i can tell you that neither of ours beep when transmissions are made or recieved