Tidbit: Walkie-Talkies [GMRS Radios] for casual comms

This is one of a series of brief, no nonsense posts that we call a Tidbit:

noun; small and [possibly] particularly interesting items of gossip or information...

The purpose is to share succinct posts about lessons learned, or things we use or do that work [or don't...] that are common to many of us boaters. 

This post is also worthy for listing in our Stuff we have and use sidebar —>

The goal is to garner feedback from those of you having first-hand experience with a better approach/ solution/ product...  

We never assume what we are sharing is the ideal or only; it just seems to best suit our needs [and/or habits and/or budget] from our experiences thus far...

Sometimes these Tidbits originate from a topic of discussion on one of the forums we participate in, and this happens to be one: Link to original post [27-Mar-2024]

Since we encounter this question on occasion, it made sense to post a more detailed response for future reference.

                               ➛ ➛ Peruse the right-hand sidebar for the up-to-date list of Tidbits ➛ ➛                               

Many users [ourselves included] use hand held Marine VHF radios to maintain comms when some or all crew are off the mother ship [on land or other watercraft] in remote areas.

Sometimes these are not appropriate- especially if you need to issue radios to several different guests off exploring in different directions since other vessels in the area might also hear the conversations [and we might occupy marine channels those actually boating need to use…]

Therefore, we have always keep a few [5; lost 1 over the years] cheaper, general use GMRS radios onboard for years for the same purpose. 

They work great. 

And once [so far…] on a remote kayaking trip, these radios were of great assistance during an emergency when one of 3 of kayakers [each with their own GMRS Radio] broke their wrist [during inclement weather; e.g., It was a dark and stormy night…] because of a fall on ice while hiking alone. 

There are several Walkie-Talkie radio types available, and are well described on this forum post.

Note: Last I knew [in the US anyway] technically you need an FCC license to use the high power GMRS channels, but that may have changed.

We issue them to guests whenever they are venturing off the boat [e.g., kayaking, SUP, dinghy, or hiking on land- remote or in a town.]

For safety, we do also issue those off on their own waterborne adventures from the mothership Marine VHF radios [and PLBs] for emergency use. [e.g., As we tell visitors ‘In case the mothership is struck by a meteor while you are away…’]

Coordination with users who may not be used to using radios:

About 15 years ago, we color coded ours with a wrap of different colored electrical tape on each antenna [useful when wanting to hail someone anonymously; original tape is still going strong…]

Photo taken Mar-2024; Taped applied ~ 2008?

We have fun making up bogus call signs:  [Sounds cool and officious; Less prone to interruptions by other radio users not in your group in crowded locations- like big cities- where we would likely be using cell phones anyway…]

Charley-Alpha-Kilo-Oscar, this is Charley-Alpha-Kilo-Bravo 

[Candy-Ass Kayaker Orange (antenna tape), this is … Blue…]

For distance use when separated, our protocol is to start/ hail first on a specified low power channel (e.g., GMRS 13; 1 watt- for better battery life) then, if unsuccessful raising the other party(ies), switch to a specified high power channel (e.g., GMRS 14; 5 watts?) and try again… [This works best with a comms schedule- e.g., everyone check in every 30 mins.]

Battery considerations: 

We prefer electronics that can use the Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries [AAA, AA] we standardized on almost 20 years ago [still rate among the best for low self-discharge rates; e.g., long shelf life once charged.] This is so we can issue spare batteries for the GMRS issued to those traveling a distance from the boat [just in case… There aren’t any charging stations handy when traveling by kayak, sup, or hiking in remote locations…]

Sidebar: Radios are half - duplex [only one can speak- or more accurately, be heard- at a time, and then you have to release the PTT button to listen… If you want to…] Even if VOX [voice activation] is used. This is very adequate for most of our use cases, and what VHF radio users are used to. [This paradigm is also perfect for certain couples; some have even confided they found that judicious use of their personal volume control very satisfying…]

But for ‘real time’ comms on the boat [volume up; e.g., anchoring, hauling anchor, mooring, etc.- especially in sporty conditions] we prefer full-duplex headsets [you can still hear the other person if you are talking- like a phone; no PTT (push-to-talk) button.]. Nothing missed that way…

We do recognize that some relationships claim to attribute their longevity to only one member being able to [or being the only one to ever] speak [be heard?] at a time [half-duplex; the other party remaining silent until the speaker is finished- reportedly sometimes for long periods thereafter- or has released the button on the radio in our case…] 

But there are situations when the ability to interrupt is necessary [if not sometimes risky…] hence our preference for full-duplex headsets for real-time comms during boat maneuvers… [Always with carefully modulated volume— of one’s own voice of course. After all, they didn’t nickname these headsets ‘Marriage Savers’ arbitrarily…]

  

Please share your experiences, choices, and recommendations. We learn something new every day…

Friday Funny 01-05/2024 (part 2 cruising 2023)

 

First post of the New Year, and it even happens after posting last Friday! It's a minor miracle.

In our last episode.... don't you hate it when streaming services won't let you fast forward through the recap, and intro?  I'll just say, we ended up at the southern tip of Baranof Island in Port Alexander.

The sun was shining, the boat was tied to the dock with all the commercial fishermen, and we took a couple of days to sight-see. (Side eye from the fisher folk- crazy stick boat.) Actually, they were all quite nice, I bet they don't get many cruisers stop in, the only amenity is water on the dock, no cell signal, no wifi, no dock power, and no stores. This community used to be booming with fish processors, but has significantly reduced since it's hey-day. 

Entering PA, as the locals call it.

Beach across from the dock, children were playing in the water when we arrived.

Look carefully, you can see the 'stick boat". 😀

Since there isn't any cell service here, they have a "phone booth" at the top of the ramp. It has an old style phone, and a number list tacked on the wall. No long distance allowed, it's programmed for local calls only. 

Who remembers using one of these?

The walk through the woods, on a well maintained board walk, revealed, a schoolhouse, a store, a fire department, a museum, homes set into the hillside, a post office, and a couple of Starlink installations.

School, electricity acquired by generator power

Closed

Museum, open by appointment.

The home at the top has quite a view!

The next stop is Port Armstrong, which contains a salmon hatchery, salmon scientists, a fish processor, and at the head of the bay a salmon spawning stream. We knew this would be a great place to see bears. It was!

We passed all this to get to the anchorage.

We hadn't been there 5 minutes, when we saw brown bears on the beach feasting on salmon.

We saw mothers, with cubs, older males, and younger, 3-4 year olds on their own. We even heard an altercation going on in the woods, and watched as a mother set her 3 year old free to take care of himself. After the mom left, and the newly fledged adult wandered off, we could hear him whining, and crying for about a half hour. Circle of life..... you're on your own now kid. 

The bears would roam the beach at low tide, watching for any salmon that had been left behind by the tides. We also watched as they plucked salmon from the spawning stream, we always make sure we are anchored far enough away from animal habitat, no interference on our part with their daily routines.

Onward to Port Walter. There were several scenic places deep inside the bay, with waterfalls, and a historic saltery. Best laid plans.

Scenic spot

We wanted to anchor so that we could see the saltery, and the falls, while avoiding the old pilings, and setting the anchor so that within the swing room, we wouldn't end up too shallow, or too deep. It was kind of a challenge in this particular bay. The cruising guide says not to anchor here, but Bill is kind of a rebel, and we do things like that all the time. Safely of course, King of Safety and all...

We have complete confidence in our spade anchor, and have never had it drag after setting it properly, and have had only a couple of times we couldn't set. (For landlubbers- set- have anchor dig in to hold.) 

This day, we couldn't get it to hold no matter what, we tried four times, and finally Bill said he was going to bring it all the way up, and that the windlass (windlass - a machine that is used on ships to let out, or heave up equipment, such as an anchor. Imagine trying to lift 200feet of chain, and a 100lb anchor by hand!) Anyway, the windlass seemed to need some higher rpms, and he directed me to increase the rpms on the diesel engine to give the windlass more umph. Here's what we brought up out of the depths.

We brought up an errant tree, water-logged no less! Bill uses a long boat hook to untangle the tree from the anchor and chain, and shove it off, back into it's watery home.

We didn't want to hook it again, so we motored back up the channel to a small bight behind some islands to anchor, and avoid the upcoming winds.

It's not near as scenic, but we're safe, and the anchor set well. 

I think part 3 will be next week!

Hope everyone had wonderful holidays, and all the best to you in the coming new year.

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.

Friday Funny 11-10/2023 (Fresh Water Falls in Salt Water Bays)

 

The blog has been quiet for awhile, mainly because we ventured into areas where there wasn't a cell signal for hot spot internet usage, and we haven’t jumped on the Starlink bandwagon yet. We've been exploring SE Alaska for nine years, and we still have many areas that we haven’t seen yet. This year, we cruised a few places we knew, but many that were new to us.

Though we had a fairly sunny, and warm summer, we had just enough rain to make the waterfalls spectacular.

Shrimp Bay

Two waterfalls

Enjoying a closeup kayak ride

Port Walter

A braided waterfall

Deep Cove

Before rain

After rain

Gut Bay

Many falls at once

Red Bluff Bay

Chatham Strait

Baranof Warm Springs

Seemed like it was a "Waterfall Cruise", there were usually multiples in almost every bay we were in. The scenery is usually spectacular in N. America's largest rainforest.

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.

Friday Funny 07-23/2022 (Cruising New Places)

 We completed our doctor appointments in Sitka, and departed to explore new territory.  We’ve been on the west side of Chichigof Island, which is mostly exposed to the Gulf of Alaska, and devoid of cell signal, hence the Denali Rose silence. We use our phones as hotspots for our internet needs, no cell, no internet... [Starlink doesn't cover this far N as of this writing...]

We had a rendezvous with friends who cruise on Adventures, a Defever 49,  in Klag Bay. This bay was at one time, a booming gold and silver mine, and home to 200 people. All that’s left now, are pilings, and some rusted equipment. We had a wonderful few days with Robin, and Jim, good food, good drink, and great company. We've been friends for almost five years, and this is the first time we managed to coordinate our schedules to be in the same place at the same time. Everyone decided that this must be a habit we continue on a regular basis.

Denali Rose and Adventures rafted up.

We’ve been out in the Gulf of Alaska more often than ever before, and Gus, and I have experienced the Mal de Mer more often than we like. Those rollers come in from the Pacific, and even though Bill insists that the Gulf is extremely quiet, we haven’t been able to handle the 3-5 foot rollers coming in. Bonine is our drug of choice, but poor Gus gets sicker than I do, and more often.  Gus starts to drool, and I usually put him in my lap so I can hold him over whatever surface would be the easiest to clean. Discontinue reading here, if you don’t want to read the gory details, skip down a paragraph.

On the 4th of July, we were headed for Mirror Harbor, so we could enjoy the White Sulphur hot springs. We were in the usual rollers from the Gulf, and as Gus began to exhibit signs of nausea, I lifted him into my lap. After he tossed his breakfast in a nearby container, he began to struggle in my arms, wanting to get down. I hung on tight, as it’s better to keep him contained in the rocking boat, then let him roam. Suddenly I noticed a sharp smell and noticed the poor kitty needed his litter box, and he couldn’t stop pooping in my lap. Yowzaa, poor kitty! I held him out over the same container which he had used earlier, and corralled most of the mess there. That did it, I became extremely nauseous as the smell overcame me. Bill was busy at keeping the boat on track, and making sure we don’t we encounter any uncharted rocks, and couldn’t do much for either of us. I managed to tie up the plastic bag of “stuff”, and Bill grabbed it to toss into the rubbermaid tub we use to contain garbage. I don't want to repeat that episode, next time he starts to struggle, I'll put him below in the head, and leave him there. 

Recovering in the fresh air, and calm seas.

The entrance to the channel leading to Mirror Harbor is a tricky one, and Bill anchored behind a few large rocks in a small bay to wait until the tide rose, to give us more water between Denali Rose’s keel, and submerged rocks. Even though it was a bit rolly, all of us took an hour long nap. 

Transiting into the bay, I stood bow watch, I could see the large rocks on each side, above and below the waterline. as we slowly motored around them . Bill and I wear Sena headsets, so that we can talk to each other seamlessly when we have tricky maneuvering. Bill anchored securely, we did our shut down routines, and Gus, and I breathed a sigh of relief.  

We're in the dinghy in this video, but it's the same channel we brought Denali Rose through. 

Underwater boat biters.

Safe at anchor behind the rocks.

As we were preparing dinner, we heard a Mayday over channel 16 on the marine radio. We both stopped to hear where, and who. A commercial fishing boat was quickly taking on water, and the captain was trying to find the source of the opening. His bilge pumps were not keeping up, and his batteries  were already submerged, and the engine almost so. A commercial tender, and two other fishing boats sped to his aid. The Coast Guard was immediately on the radio, coordinating the aiding vessels, and keeping tabs on the disabled boat, as well as dispatching a helicopter with rescue swimmers. The aiding vessels tried to use their large pumps to empty the water, but it didn’t sound like it was doing much good. The communication over the marine radio between the stricken vessel, the aiding vessels, and the Coast Guard was sobering to anyone listening. There was an extended silence, and when contact was made again, the captain of one of the aiding vessels, reported he had two of the stricken crew onboard, the tender had one, (a thirteen year old boy), and the disabled vessel had sunk.  The Captain of the disabled vessel was not in good shape, he had spent a bit of time in the water, and was reported to be hyperthermic. The Coast Guard helicopter arrived, and had the survivors taken into a nearby bay in order to get out of the 6 foot swells, and 20-30 knot winds.They airlifted the survivors and headed back to Sitka. I’ve heard multiple vessels reporting different sorts of problems before, but this was my first Mayday. It was close to us, but we didn’t respond, as others were faster to get to them, we were locked into our bay with low tide, and since they had at least 3 “good samaritans” on site, and the Coast Guard on the way, by the time we would have arrived, we wouldn’t have been much use. 

 Anchorage Daily News Article

I guess I would rather have seasickness than a sinking boat. 

The trail to White Sulphur hot springs from Mirror Harbor was easy, but seemed to take forever, really only 45 minutes, but I was anxious about bear sightings. We saw several piles of bear scat, but fortunately none were fresh, Bill kept up a steady stream of claps, and "hey bear" shouts. Seems like we're calling them in, but actually, we're letting them know we're here, and they should run away. We had our bear deterrents with us, just to be prudent. The trail is made up of some boardwalk, some mud trail, some rock trail, and clamoring over tree roots.

Almost there, I can see the cabin roof!

Bath House

Forest Service Cabin

Typical interior, also counters, table, and another bunk.

Inside bathhouse, hot springs pool overlooking the bay.

Outdoor hot pool.

We enjoyed our hot bath, and then a hike back to the dinghy. Seems like I just got sweaty again, and needed another bath, but (shrug), been there, done that, no T-shirt. 

As always, we enjoy hearing from you, either here in comments or on our Facebook Denali Rose Sailboat page.