two way radios

I really can't imagine radios to be needed on a 40 footer

When I run the boat with Naomi, on charter mostly, we discuss the landing ahead of time once we know which side to and what current or wind will be like. I use numbers for the cleat, 1 2 3 4 from the bow (1) to stern (4) so the sequence is simple like 2143 if we tie into a current for instance or 3412 if we have a breeze from the stern...

Every time a line is secured, especially the first spring, she gives me a hand signal with the number and a thumbs up. That tells me i can use the spring for instance...also she frequently looks at me in case something need to be changed. Since the boat has an enclosed bridge, we can't talk but honnestly hand signals do it, in fact we rarely use the 2 way hailer
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

I really can't imagine radios to be needed on a 40 footer

When I run the boat with Naomi, on charter mostly, we discuss the landing ahead of time once we know which side to and what current or wind will be like. I use numbers for the cleat, 1 2 3 4 from the bow (1) to stern (4) so the sequence is simple like 2143 if we tie into a current for instance or 3412 if we have a breeze from the stern...

Every time a line is secured, especially the first spring, she gives me a hand signal with the number and a thumbs up. That tells me i can use the spring for instance...also she frequently looks at me in case something need to be changed. Since the boat has an enclosed bridge, we can't talk but honnestly hand signals do it, in fact we rarely use the 2 way hailer

Click to expand...


Very interesting, thanks for the idea.

It's not often...

But the first time we discovered the "need" for radio communications was when we tried to dock our trawler at Red Eye's -- just as about 10 go-fasts lit up. The noise was incredible, and we discovered our hand signals weren't quite perfected yet :)

Now, I can't see the Admiral from the bridge when she's on the side decks attending to springs, and it's not easy to hear perfectly when the enclosure is mostly buttoned up... so unless she's doing the docking, we've sometimes had to resort to radios to deal with visibility and noise issues.

-Chris
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

I really can't imagine radios to be needed on a 40 footer

When I run the boat with Naomi, on charter mostly, we discuss the landing ahead of time once we know which side to and what current or wind will be like. I use numbers for the cleat, 1 2 3 4 from the bow (1) to stern (4) so the sequence is simple like 2143 if we tie into a current for instance or 3412 if we have a breeze from the stern...

Every time a line is secured, especially the first spring, she gives me a hand signal with the number and a thumbs up. That tells me i can use the spring for instance...also she frequently looks at me in case something need to be changed. Since the boat has an enclosed bridge, we can't talk but honnestly hand signals do it, in fact we rarely use the 2 way hailer

Click to expand...

Pascal do you like technology or is it just things I suggest you feel the need to pounce on?
How about when I am up at the marina and my wife needs to get ahold of me it beats screaming?
Bill
Anyone that still needs to get ahold of me for the free new FRS Motorola radios b.lentz(at)certifiedrf.com
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

I really can't imagine radios to be needed on a 40 footer

When I run the boat with Naomi, on charter mostly, we discuss the landing ahead of time once we know which side to and what current or wind will be like. I use numbers for the cleat, 1 2 3 4 from the bow (1) to stern (4) so the sequence is simple like 2143 if we tie into a current for instance or 3412 if we have a breeze from the stern...

Every time a line is secured, especially the first spring, she gives me a hand signal with the number and a thumbs up. That tells me i can use the spring for instance...also she frequently looks at me in case something need to be changed. Since the boat has an enclosed bridge, we can't talk but honnestly hand signals do it, in fact we rarely use the 2 way hailer

Click to expand...


IIRC, that's what the USN does however the cleats are numbered odd for starboard and even for port. I'm pretty sure that's right because that's how I numbered my storm lines for storage and I couldn'ta thunk o' sumptin like that on my own.
 
Pascal - It is not just for docking. As I stated we would use them when we ride bikes as well as other times when it is hard to hear each other. I know it is hard for some to understand, but when you have hearing issues it is not always as simple as just wearing hearing aides. When on plane on the boat I can not hear her either with out her shouting. When we dock and I connect the power and water and ask her to turn the switches, I can not hear if she is responding so end up doing it myself. When filing with water, she watches the gauge in the saloon and I man the hose. She has to yell for me to hear to shut it off. There are many more times that if I thought about it they would come in handy. I am to old to learn sign language now so this is the next best thing. Hopefully if we pull in to anyones dock with our little puddle jumper we wont offend to many or be laughed at when we are speaking in normal voices to communicate using our headsets.

Off soap box now. Sorry if I have offended anyone.
 
I personally don't care how anyone uses them just that they get used. I wonder why every member even on a 25' USCG Rib have an HT? Surely hand signals are all that is needed?
Bill
 
Bill......I received your 2 way radios today. They look great. Looks like they will satisfy my needs......we plan to use them this Saturday when we do our bike ride. Thanks for your generosity. I'll e-mail you for the amount you want for the shipping costs.

Thanks again..........

PS....Bill .....my wife was just looking at them and says to me " good thing they have an 8 mile range.....'cause thats about how far ahead of you I'll be by the end of our ride "

you have to understand.....she's a Triathlete......and I'm just and old slug !!!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Double D

Bill......I received your 2 way radios today. They look great. Looks like they will satisfy my needs......we plan to use them this Saturday when we do our bike ride. Thanks for your generosity. I'll e-mail you for the amount you want for the shipping costs.

Thanks again..........

Click to expand...

Got mine today as well what can I say Bill you are the Man!!! Can't wait to try them out, they are far nicer then I expected I'm used to the cheap ones and they have work well enough for me but the range on these should work out great for a current project.

Thanks again!
 
Guys I am now out of the units. I had to save a few for myself! To all have a happy holiday.
Bill
 
"Pascal do you like technology or is it just things I suggest you feel the need to pounce on?"

Bill, no need to be defensive... The purpose of forums is to discuss things and learn from others experience and from how they do things. I didn't pounce, I disnt attack you or any one, i just explained how we do it. It worked for us but it s obvious others may prefer doing it differently.

Btw, If I felt we needed wireless comunications around the boat, I think I d first try using cell phones either with basic wires headphones or BT headsets. Stuff the phone in a pocket so it s secure...

Again, keeping an open mind is always a good thing and sometimes you can learn a things or two from others. I do almost every day
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

"Pascal do you like technology or is it just things I suggest you feel the need to pounce on?"

Bill, no need to be defensive... The purpose of forums is to discuss things and learn from others experience and from how they do things. I didn't pounce, I disnt attack you or any one, i just explained how we do it. It worked for us but it s obvious others may prefer doing it differently.

Btw, If I felt we needed wireless comunications around the boat, I think I d first try using cell phones either with basic wires headphones or BT headsets. Stuff the phone in a pocket so it s secure...

Again, keeping an open mind is always a good thing and sometimes you can learn a things or two from others. I do almost every day

Click to expand...

I was having a tough day. I appologize Pascal.
Bill
 
We use GMRS radios for a slightly different purpose. When underway, we have our lines in place and know what we're going to do when we get there. Besides, we have a 34C Silverton, so communicating from the bridge to the deck can be done verbally.

But underway, the Admiral is often below puttering or listening to music and we sometimes encounter large wakes. We use the radios to send a warning ring (one ring = hold on wake, and two rings = can you come up to the bridge?). For the last 10 years, we used two very early model Motorola GRMS radios for this with much success. Unfortunately, one of them died late last year but thanks to BillyIII, we have two brand new Motorola GMRS radios that will serve this purpose perfectly. In fact, the ring on Bill's radios are much louder than our old ones.

Note to BillyIII if you see this thread. I know you're a ham, so any possibility of us making a donation on your behalf to a local high school amateur radio club? We need young people to get interested in radio. Maybe a local non-profit? You name it. I know that I'll send a check to any organization you name. Your generosity is much appreciated.

73s

Bill
KB1ULU
 
Chris thanks for the nice compliment. Yes I am a ham AA2UK and was very active in VHF/UHF and Microwave contesting with the Mount Airey VHF Club (The PackRats). You don't need to do that but my wife donates frequently to "Community FoodBank of New Jersey".
Take care,
Bill & Jan
 
Chris you bring up a good way we also use the FRS/GMRS portables in our boat. If I go down below to check on something in the ER my wife can warn me of wakes or oncoming traffic. We use 4 units on the boat one in the salon, one in the ditch bag and we each wear one.
These portables were originally sent to Dubai their version of the FCC would not allow their use in Dubai. They ended up with me in a swap for a car and some very expensive watches that I gave my 3 sons. The watches should last their lives here on Earth. Something to remember about Dad when I am long gone. I decided our office really needed a good cleaning and worried that eventually the batteries in the units would reach their end of life. Then this thread poped up and it being that time of the year and I though my friends here on the board might want these for their boats or any reason. It puts a smile on my face to know that some of the initial reports are good. I am relieved and happy.
I had a few requests this morning and I think I can fill them all.
Bill
 
Bill - i just have to says this is an awesome gesture. May karma smile down on you.
 
For one, I'd like to say thanks, and I will with a donation to Mrs. BillyIII's favorite charity. Here's where you send a check, Crack open the checkbook, guys. It makes BillyIII's generosity go so much further.

Community Food Bank of New Jersey
6725 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor, NJ 08234

Bill
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top