VHF question

[Scott MacCready, New Ber]

Just wondering if I could install a VHF radio in the car to keep in touch with family when I'm on the boat. Would hills and other obstacles interfere? Is it allowed? thanks



capedorysailor@earthlink.net

[Scott Ritchey]

Just wondering if I could install a VHF radio in the car to keep in touch with family when I'm on the boat. Would hills and other obstacles interfere? Is it allowed? thanks

There would be some interference, but the main problem is it ain't legal. I use a cell phone for this purpose.

[Peter K.]

Just wondering if I could install a VHF radio in the car to keep in touch with family when I'm on the boat. Would hills and other obstacles interfere? Is it allowed? thanks

Scott,
The rules for marine band VHF state that it can only be used from one boat on the water to another boat on the water, or to marinas or the USCG. It is illegal to use it for land to land or land to water purposes (other than to marinas or the Coast Guard). According to the US Power Squadron Boating Course manual I used when I took the class, "it is illegal for a recreational boater to use a marine VHF radio on shore. This includes hand-held radios and radios installed in trailerable boats. Use radiotelephones only on the water."
Of course, there are other possibilities, you might get the entry level amateur radio license which would allow you to talk with other hams on the two meter band, or you could try CB if you could handle the language used,or even the family radio service, though that would be strictly limited to a mile or two.
Peter K., S/V Waltzing Matilda
CD26, Hull #42



waltzingmatilda@sailnet.net

[Max Treece]

Scott, FRS Radios (Family Radio Service) are good for this purpose and are relatively in-expensive. They are perfectly legal for boat to shore communications whereas Marine radios are not legal for shore use.

FRS portable radios would have 1-2 mile range and would not work thru hills or other obstructions such as big buildings. They are mainly lind of site. In a recent chartering expedition, I used FRS radios to keep in touch with other skippers while ashore and in harbor communications. I used Motorola Talkabouts.

Max Treece
CD25
Charlotte, NC

Just wondering if I could install a VHF radio in the car to keep in touch with family when I'm on the boat. Would hills and other obstacles interfere? Is it allowed? thanks

There would be some interference, but the main problem is it ain't legal. I use a cell phone for this purpose.

metreece@duke-energy.com

[Scott MacCready, New Ber]

Thanks everyone. I figured it was best to ask before jumping in with both feet. Maybe entry-level ham radio is the way to go. Something else to learn about



capedorysailor@earthlink.net

[Tom]

Unless the law has changed, handheld VHFs are also only supposed to be used to communicate to the mother ship, not to other vessels or the shore. Virtually everyone ignores his regulation and uses them as they would a cell phone talking to any and everybody, so that this rule is generally observed in the breech.

Just wondering if I could install a VHF radio in the car to keep in touch with family when I'm on the boat. Would hills and other obstacles interfere? Is it allowed? thanks

TomCambria@mindspring.com