GMRS vs. VHF Handhelds

[jkat]

I was given a GMRS 2-way radio set as a gift from my wife.    They seem like they will work really well as they have a range of up to 18 miles and can be used to communicate to shore easily.  I was wondering what the general opinion was in regards to GMRS vs. VHF handhelds.   Does anyone think VHS handhelds would be more useful or safer?  Any help would be appreciated.

[doug]

I use GMRS for communication with shore while out sailing. They also provide NOAA weather. I'm still planning on getting a VHF cus GMRS doesn't have channel 16, so I don't think they are the right communications means for an emergency. In fact, the only people I have heard on GMRS is my family even with scanning turned on.

[jkat]

Doug,

Thanks for the reply.  In the meantime, I was able to find some info on a yahoo chat regarding VHF radios.  Apparently it is highly regulated as far as usage.  Communications can be ship to ship unless an emergency or something related to docking.  I didn't realize this.  GMRS seems like the best for me right now.   I've got the NOAA frequencies.  That's a definite plus. 
Without VHF I don't have the marine emergency channel (16), but I may end up getting one handheld VHF when I'm sailing in places that this could be necessary.
The GMRS sounds great as far as the limited traffic you hear as well.  I do some sailing on Lake Superior and having someone on shore with a radio, even if I'm only a couple of miles out, is definitely a plus.   I imagine that where I'm at (the Keeweenaw Penninsula) someone I know on shore would get to me much faster than the Coast Guard. 

[mgoller]

No,  those regulations are no longer applying to VHF.  It used to be you needed a license.  Feel free to use your VHF to raise your fellow sailor and say hi, or call the marina for info on slips.  Tune the radio to channel 16 for distress, and monitor your port too.  Most new radios allow you to monitor a set channel and channel 16 when and if there is a transmission.
It is advised to limit chatter, identify yourself whenever transmitting with vessel name and type, and who you are calling.  "Sailboat Windy, calling Northport harbor, sailboat windy calling Northport harbor...over"  "Northport harbor here..over".
I have an inexpensive Uniden VHF with a mast antenae and it reaches 15 miles.  Very handy to know you can talk to your port of call.
This summer I used it to stay in touch with departure and arrival ports.  Kind of like civilian flying - they give you over when you are out of their area and going into next port's area.
For close sailing with a group we used Uniden handheld walkie talkies to talk with each other.  We could have used the VHF but the handhelds were easier in the cockpit with tiller in hand to just chat about point of sail, lunch break time and coordinate compasses and stuff.

[sawyer]

JKAT................  Keeweenaw Penninsula? What is your location? We have sailed the Keeweenaw Waterway in our 16, from Swedetown creek up to North entry. Dragged it up there in the summer of 05. Have hunting property near Oskar.
Doug

[jkat]

Sounds great.  I've never sailed the waterway.  My wife and I are considering sailing around the penninsula.  We sail out of a place called Rabbit Bay.  It's about 8 miles north of the South entry on the lake, just east of Traverse Island.   We figure it would take about 4 days total.  We'd overnight in Lac LaBelle, Eagle Harbor, and somewhere in the North entry. 
How was sailing in the North entry?
Jkat

[multimedia_smith]

The VHF is more "universal" for calling bridge operators etc.
I use the Uniden Mystic... it is a combo VHF/GPS and is handheld and submersible.  I like it because it is "one thing to grab"...
I made a mount because I was tired of holding it or looking for a place or someone to hold it while underway.  (as usual... here's a pic of the mount)

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=480

I'm not sure if y'all can access the "owners pages" section of the gallery yet.

Fair winds

Dale

[jkat]

Sawyer,

Oops.  I meant west of Traverse Island. 

Jkat

[pelican]

I was given a GMRS 2-way radio set as a gift from my wife.    They seem like they will work really well as they have a range of up to 18 miles and can be used to communicate to shore easily.  I was wondering what the general opinion was in regards to GMRS vs. VHF handhelds.   Does anyone think VHS handhelds would be more useful or safer?  Any help would be appreciated.

I am no expert on radios, but we tried to use them on the waterfront.( general mobile radio service) We needed something to communicate with without tying up VHF channels.  They worked well around the yard and general area, But we could have never got out to 18 miles with them. I would guess maybe 10 miles base to mobile.

Mobile to mobile maybe three on a good day. Now granted, it may have been just our radios. I know repeaters can be set up for them , but that is costly and they can be problamatic.

I would stick with VHS, for all the reasons other members said. You will be able to communicate with other boaters, Bridge tenders, Channel 16 Etc. Gmrs is limited to your other units or someone who happens to have the same frequencies.

You could also mount a  VHS Antenna on the mast and get some extended range.....The most important reason..... I personally believe that boaters owe it to other boaters to monitor Channel 16 VHS when on the water. You may be the Sailor to hear a cry for help and save a family in trouble.

Good safe sailing

Terry

[sawyer]

Reply to JKAT
We have two big batteries and a 36lb thrust motor guide electric, and we needed it.  Wind was about 15-20 kts gusting out of downtown Houghton, lighter out toward Oskar as the Waterway widens and then picked up again where the walls are on both sides of the narrow area just before the north entry, near the Coast Guard Station...  Several times the waves on Superior have been to big to breach the entry, both going in or out, wind is from every direction in that area. There are times when it is blowing out toward Superior from Houghton and the same day, in from Superior at the entry.  the big northward curve is quite misleading.  I recommend some kind of dingy and some type of survival gear on board when sailing Superior and a working  VHF, it can be treacherous water in short order, always have a harbor or beach close.  If you have read stuff by Marlin Bree, you'll understand what I mean.  Someday I would like to haul the CP-16 out to Isle rRoyale on the Ranger III and spend a couple of weeks in that area too. I'm not much for camping on the boat, a little too snug, but it makes a great tent carrying overnighter and can be brought into the shallows most of the time.  Good anchorages at Isle Royale too, but the swim to shore would be a trick if you were unable to beach.   Getting windy with my response, will close....   Great dreams of sailing to all the Northerners.
Doug

[jkat]

Doug,

     Thanks for the voice of experience.  We've sailed on the southeast side of the peninsula in the Keeweenaw Bay a lot already, but I definitely expect the northwest side can be much more treacherous.  My wife and I expect to take the travel in bite size pieces.   We're not too determined yet.  Gitchee-gumee can get fierce really quick. 
     We bought a new yamaha 4hp 4-stroke when we got the boat and it pushes it really well.  We've been out in 4-6' swells and the boat motors along at 5 knots at 1/3 throttle.  Other than the up and down motion, there was really no discomfort. 
     I appreciate your expertise.  The dingy is a definite necessity, I agree.  We have an inflatable raft and wet suits on board as some insurance (although dry suits would be the best).  We'll definitely have the raft inflated and in tow at all times.  40-55 degree water is my largest fear of all.  We'll see...

-Jeff

[Craig Weis]

Jeff,
Just remember the 'Rule Of 50' from the US Coast Guard and United States Power and Sail Squadron, and the US Navy's Blue Jacket Manual...

50 years old
50 deg F. water
50 minutes

Before scumming to the cold with hypothermia.
Your dead! Now give or take as you adjust for the above '50s' Skip.