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Marine VHF Radio for Truck
On 9/7/2013 9:46 AM, rickman wrote:
On 9/7/2013 12:11 AM, Steve Crow wrote: On Fri, 6 Sep 2013, rickman wrote: -- snip -- Forgive me if it got lost in the noise, which is quite possible, but I haven't seen where you have spelled out exactly what the intended application is, so I'm forced to make assumptions. As for why we're getting worked up about it? Personally, I'm not, but based on the responses you've received from others in this group, I can see where you might assume that I am. Let me attempt to explain some of the, ehem.. hostility? Amateur radio operators generally take great pride in their licenses and the privileges afforded by that license. Likewise, they (we) generally have a great respect for radio licensing, rules, and regulations, because one component of the amateur radio service is self-policing of the regulations and holding each other accountable for operating not just within the letter of the law but with a high engineering standard. As a result, when someone such as yourself comes along and has a genuine concern and truly wants help with something he doesn't understand, too many amateur radio operators ("hams") get up on their high horse and see it as an opportunity to get all preachy and play FCC Police. I don't play that game. But that's why you're getting some of the responses you have. Yes, I can see that, thanks for the rational response. You're quite welcome. Remember, too much of the ham radio crowd falls fully within the "cranky old fart" category. Sadly, I'll be there myself in another 30 years or so! Yeah, well I *am* a cranky old fart too, hence my responses... There is no point in arguing something like this. I will very shortly just quit responding to the other cranks. Combine those three things and you have quite the quandry. Your peers in the hobby are using VHF marine with some degree of success and you want to be able to communicate with them. If your intended communications are anything like those of your friends, then they, too, are likely operating in a manner that runs afoul of the law. Can you be specific here. I have no idea what you are talking about. Basically, the way I understand what you're after is a way to talk to your friends/peers/etc within your kayaking hobby that are already using VHF marine radio. Which comes across as an assumption on your part that because others are doing it, it must be legal, which is incorrect. The info on the FCC site says to me that kayakers *are* using the "marine VHF" radios legally. I don't know why anyone seems to think they aren't. I'm not in a position to decide that, not being well-versed in the modern-day requirements of the VHF Marine radio service. My point was that you, as the (prospective) license holder, are responsible for operating within the FCC rules, and you can't necessarily base your operating practice on the actions of others. In fact, I dare say it's a pretty safe bet that a good chunk of the people on the VHF Marine band aren't licensed at all. It's common within the radio services where radio gear is readily accessible off-the-shelf, particularly in retail stores. Illegal unlicensed use is rampant in GMRS, and we also have problems with certain seasonal users (hunters) using amateur radio gear in our bands without a license. It's likely going on in the VHF Marine band, too. Just be careful out there. Yes, that is the current state of marine VHF. For certain users in boats there is *no* licensing requirement. So unlicensed use is rampant in marine VHF, but it isn't illegal. Remember, just because everybody else is doing it doesn't make it legal. There are a number of radio services that might fit your needs, which have been discussed elsewhere in this thread, including MURS, GMRS, FRS, and, I believe to a lesser extent, amateur radio. However, none of those will grant you the type of interoperability you desire. You left out VHF which is the one of choice. All I need to do is justify the appropriate license. No. I didn't. VHF is not a radio service. As was explained elsewhere in this lengthy thread, VHF refers to the frequency band. There are three major bands -- HF, VHF, and UHF. Within each band there are a number of "radio services" -- each with a specific intended application and its corresponding licensing requirements and operating regulations. You don't get a "VHF license." You get a license for a radio service that falls within the VHF bands, and for your purposes that could be amateur radio (which, among other bands, has frequencies in VHF) and MURS (which is VHF). The VHF Marine radio service falls within VHF, but VHF itself is not a radio service. That might be a part of the big misunderstanding here. Let me know if I can clarify further. I'm not sure what your point is exactly. I think you are being a bit pedantic about my use of VHF as shorthand for "VHF Marine Radio" which I thought was clear from context at this point. So for the record, I will say I understand the difference. Cool. I wanted to reiterate the difference because it is a pretty common misunderstanding. I admit that at one point when some were suggesting that I could get a ham license I didn't realize that would not allow me to talk to the "marine VHF" radios legally. I now understand that and am not pursuing the amateur license discussion further. Awesome. Now expect the rest of the folks here to run you out of the amateur radio newsgroup. On a more serious note, I'm always amazed that the response from so many hams is to immediately suggest ham radio as the ultimate solution to any communications dilemma, and quite often it is not. This was just one such instance. While there's no doubt it's an enjoyable hobby, and you'd probably get some use out of it, it doesn't address your immediate needs. (I was never a top performing sales guy at my last job. I wonder why?) If you still have your heart set on using VHF Marine, the absolute BEST thing you could do is to pick up the phone and call the FCC. 1-888-CALL-FCC. You can get in touch with someone there who is familiar with the laws surrounding VHF Marine radio licensing and they will be able to tell you whether you meet the requirements and exactly what type of license to get. Good luck, and have fun on Lake Anna. I wish I were there! Hey, you are welcome to come up sometime. We should be here this weekend. Do you kayak or canoe? I've always wanted to, but it's one of many things on my very long list of things to try! You don't even have to come up here. We sometimes go to Richmond to paddle the James. There is a very active meetup.com kayaking group called Virgina Paddlers. They have one or two fla****er kayak trips near Richmond every week in season. It is pretty easy to borrow equipment most of the time. Kayakers tend to be a very friendly and generous crowd. I'll likely end up sitting at home, on my gradually widening ass, watching infomercials and eating frozen pizza... though it does sound appealing! Kayaking is awesome! I have a place on the water and I would take the canoe out from time to time. But if there is any wind a canoe just gets blown away. Then I got a kayak and the difference is amazing. In a canoe you are a foot or so off the water, in a kayak your rear is actually below the water line and you feel so much more a part of it. The widening profile is not just mythical and not without consequence. If you think you might enjoy the water, I strongly encourage you to get out there and do something. Not only is it fantastic exercise, it is a very social activity and the people are *great*. Don't just sit there... Oh, did I mention there are lots of women who kayak? Often more women than men show up at paddles... can you say that about ham fests? Thank you for being a rational voice here. I don't think what I want to do is unreasonable. I am sorry that some folks here responded so strongly to my comments about the purpose of the marine VHF rules. Maybe they can take a lesson from you... My boat sank off Mitkof Island at night in the winter of 1971. There was moss ice on the water and the air was -20. I had sent a distress call on the radio. A tug cut its tow and pulled me out of the water and resuscitated me. When the boat sank and I went into the water it felt like I had been hit alongside the head with a 2X4. I was mercifully out of consciousness within seconds. I have to say that it would be a very quick way to die. I grew up alongside the Pacific Ocean on the North Coast of Oregon. The water temperature was in the 40s. We could swim in that surf for about 20 minutes before we turned blue. It was great fun in the surf but pretty dangerous. We were forbidden by our parents to do this, but being forbidden made it better. :-) I can say from my experience that any kind of cold water can kill. When it is at freezing it kills very quickly, when it is in the 40s it kills a little more slowly. I think the temperature and time probably could be made into a formula for death. Like I said before, if you can keep from being cited by the FCC, a marine radio would work pretty well for your purposes. It is very short range and if you are using it in a small lake, the chances of your being monitored are remote. Also you would not cause interference to anyone else. Michael |
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