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.

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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 (or thereabouts) 05-06/23 (Preparations for the A-Team)

 

Bill has been carrying the blog along this winter with articles, while I've been slacking. It's tough to find interesting things to write about when I've been hibernating  resting on my butt all winter. 

While I was sitting, I did get some things accomplished however. Most of my immediate family, and some of my friends get a handmade greeting card from me for their birthday, and so far I have made about 50. I like to get them done far in advance of needing them, get them in envelopes, and this year, I'm doing something different. I'm going to the post office and mail everything I've made so far, all birthday cards through August. It can be a challenge to mail on time, since we cruise in areas where actual post offices are few and far between, or if we go to a community that has one, it isn't in walking distance.

Here is the advice/warning for all of you expecting a card: "You may get it early, the choice is yours, open it now, or save it for the actual day. 

I'm reusing mailers, and boxes that have come my way, and it's a Rohwer tradition to receive a gift in  totally unrelated packaging. You're welcome, carry on.

We've turned the boat upside down, no not literally, (whew), we're expecting guests, and we're cleaning out lockers, and storage areas to make room. My daughter, and her partner are joining us for 2 weeks, and that should be really fun. Distances are so great here, that one week is really not long enough to get anywhere, other than "just off the dock". We're picking them up in Ketchikan which is 71 nautical miles away. 

We've seen Clarence Strait be glass calm, or short choppy waves with 30kts of wind. I prefer the former, and we'll be leaving in plenty of time in case we have to wait for good weather enroute. That bottom red arrow points to the Gulf of Alaska, which can influence the strait either way. 

Before

This is what the v-berth looks like after spending the winter at the dock. Double duty, it's our equivalent of the spare bedroom, where you chuck everything to get it out of sight, and the pantry. Most of it has to find a home somewhere else on the boat, or get removed to our storage facility. It's a challenge. 

Then we need to get the cushions and bedding out of storage. That's one of the reasons impromptu guests aren't a good idea. Also, we need to make sure we have enough coffee, wine, etc onboard, who would want to run out? I'll post an after photo, when we have it ready, it probably won't be before this post is published. 

Progress is being made, that's the red ditch bag, and the yellow emergency bag up there. They stay where they are, within easy reach in case of emergency. 

- Days later...

Challenge completed!

I did it! The v-berth is ready for occupancy. Under those boards I managed to store quite a bit of stuff, it's good that we didn't have much in there. However there's more to be done. 

That is the lower dinette table, hopefully most of this stuff will go into the pantry, there's a dedicated locker, (closet), behind the wall where the nets hang where we store canned goods, spices, and meal fixings.

And then: I went to town to do errands, and when I returned the table was bare! I immediately moved in with my sewing stuff before it got "repurposed" for anything else. Possession is 9/10  of the law right? 

I need to do some repairs, and make a couple of screens with no-see-um netting, but we're pretty well stowed now, 

This is especially appropriate since our guests first names both begin with A, and we've been calling them the "A Team", though I doubt either one of them has ever seen the show. 

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

Friday Funny 12-27/19 (Last One for 2019)

Meow!

Remember that organized-chaos v-berth that is also our guest room?

In preparation for our guest, the first job, was to get everything out, and clean. We're pretty good about ventilation, and dehumidifying, so I was pleased to see that there weren't  any mold/mildew issues, just dust. There are three small drawers under the v-berth platform, where we kept soda in cans, it was the one area that was a total mess, due to one of the cans exploded sometime, somewhere in our travels. We hauled all of our stuff to our dock neighbor's boat.... he doesn't need to see how much we filled it up....

Of course, there are many things stored under those platform boards, lines, rigging, project supplies, stuff we might need.

Then, the ventilation layer, we bought a whole roll of this stuff called Hypervent, and we roll it out under our mattress, the salon cushions, and under the v-berth cushions, we even have it in our truck camper, under the mattress. It's kind of a plastic mesh, and it really works to keep moisture out from underneath, and eliminate the potential mold problem.

Hypervent layer

Next the cushions.

All ready for someone else to mess up.

We didn't have snow in town for Christmas, I'm okay with that. It is coming down the hillsides, and mountains around us though. I bet we'll have some in January, and February, which is typical for Wrangell.

 Anyone want to host me someplace warm, and snow free? 😁

I promise to be a good guest!

Happy New Year everyone!  🎉🎊🎈

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

Friday Funny on Monday 7-9/18 (No Wifi)

No wifi all week, and my family ARE nice people.

There wasn't a Friday Funny last week, maybe you noticed.... maybe you didn't.

We hosted my brother, and his wife onboard with us for a week, while Southeast Alaska was experiencing exceptional weather. Everyone discussed the itinerary, and made the command decision to skip the 4th of July festivities in town, and get off of the dock to enjoy days at sea, and nights in scenic bays. That meant no wifi, and I wasn't organized enough to have pre-written a blog post set to automatic upload. You might have been disappointed, (or not), but we had a great cruise. 

Leaving Wrangell behind.

We did a mini tour of the north end of Prince of Wales Island, and poked into some bays that we had never been in before. We spent one night in Red Bay, (where a local commercial crabber gave us SIX fresh caught dungeness crabs), and one night in Labouchere Bay. We also toured inside of Point Baker, and Port Protection, just to see the scenery. On the way back to Wrangell, we set anchor in St John Harbor, one of the best places we've found for beautiful sunsets.

Watching and photographing the sunset.

The sunset while we were anchored in St. John Harbor.

My brother took a morning to kayak around.

Enjoying the solitude, and birds.

All too soon we had to take them back to town to catch their flight for the next part of their vacation. Thanks for joining us, and sharing our experiences.

The cure for the internet, leave the marina!

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

Friday Funny 6-29/18 (Food, Fun, and Family)

I'm on it.

I just realized that our current lifestyle could be considered a permanent staycation. It's also an odd thought that friends, and family are coming to visit, for their vacation, while I'm on staycation. 

A staycation (a portmanteau of "stay" and "vacation") is a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance of their home and does not require overnight accommodations. Wikipedia

My brother, and his wife are coming next week, and we're looking forward to the visit. As usual, whenever someone is coming, it's a good time to get some procrastinated projects out of the way. The shower stall is getting a fresh caulking, it'll be clean and bright. I posted about the overhead hatches last week, and I've been polishing the interior brass. I wanted to get the salon cushions recovered last winter, but you all know how that went, so I'll be content with doing a good cleaning.

Barometer, and clock.

Inside steering station.

Ship's bell.

All of the doors have old-fashioned skeleton key locks, and of course they need polishing as well.

I stubbed my toe during the cleaning this week, and shhhh don't tell Bill. His mantra is that all injuries will be amputated, and I would like to keep all my toes attached. I'm pretty sure I broke it, so just add that to the list of appendages that I have broken. (Good grief!)

Ouch!

Wrangell has a whiz bang fun 4th of July Celebration, and the hotel, and all B&B's are full. I have my google calendar all set for the activities I want to attend.

I really wanted to participate in the egg toss this year, but since I'm still on crutches, I don't think it'll be a good idea.

2017 egg toss on Main Street.

Wrangell has had a tradition since 1950 for the month leading up to the 4th festivities, they organize a royalty contest. The teens sell food, rummage sales, car washes, and drawing tickets everyday for a month, whoever sells the most tickets wins. The winner gets to keep a portion of their earnings for scholarship, earns the title of King or Queen, and the rest funds next years celebration.  Seems odd to me, that the 4th is all about our freedom, and the break with England's royalty, but we crown someone King or Queen here. Maybe we should give them the title of President instead? The first four tickets that are pulled at a drawing, also win prize money, so it's a win/win no matter what you call it.

2017 Royalty on their parade float, throwing candy, and waving.

There's sunny weather predicted for next week. Woo hoo, bring on the parade, food, games, and fireworks!



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

Sistership Visit to Wrangell

This lifestyle has introduced us to new friends, and quite a few of them we know online only. We met another Nauticat 43 owner this week in Wrangell, (we're hull 16, they're 29), when they passed through on their way from Seattle to Glacier Bay. Bill and Ron (Captain Ron...hahaha), had been communicating online with each other for awhile, and now we have met them in-person.

(Redacted contact info)

He even put it on their boat card, it's good to have a sense of humor!

This gave us a good reason to play hookey from the project work on Denali Rose, and go play host, or tourist, whichever. It was wonderful to meet virtual friends, compare boats, and have some fun. Ron, and Suzie are warm, delightful people, and they have worked hard to make their Nauticat a beautiful boat. Bill has already placed orders for some of the items that we admired. 

Headed out past the Heritage Harbor breakwater at low tide.

A couple of local sailors in Wrangell, who had just come back from a recent trip, shared some fresh caught crabs with us. We passed that on in the form of crab omelets one evening, it was good eating! Then we watched "Guardian's of the Galaxy 1". I know this seems a bit strange, but "Guardian's of the Galaxy 2" was in town over the weekend, and we all wanted to go to the movies. Suzie and I loved Groot, and all of us enjoyed both the movies.

Gotta see the movies to understand.

Bill and I hadn't taken advantage of the local jetboat tours up the Stikine River, so we booked a last minute charter, and spent six hours sightseeing. Zach, who owns Muddy Water Adventures, grew up in Wrangell, and has traversed the Stikine River his whole life. He really knows it well.

Zach Taylor, and his company, "Muddy Water Adventures". 

It was an overcast day, but we still saw lots of great scenery, float-houses, scoped out the Forest Service cabins for rent, and went up to Shake's Glacier.

A water neighborhood.

Floathouses are used for base camp when the owners are boating, fishing, or hunting. Some of them were just small square boxes with minimum amenities, and others were small houses. They do need to have a permit from the State of Alaska to build and anchor.

Typical interior of a Forest Service cabin.

Cabins are $35.00 - $40.00 a night, and you bring all of your own supplies. We would really like to go back with our kayaks. It would be easy to get dropped off by jet boat with all of our gear, and enjoy the back sloughs. There's a hot springs on one of them, which would be fun to experience.

Shake's Glacier

As glaciers go, not a particularly spectacular one. There were some lovely blue colors, and this is one that rarely calves, though it is in retreat. 

Jetboat - 30+ knots, Sailboat - 7 knots, give or take.

Scenic waterfalls.

We stopped off at a friend's house, this is on Farm Island, and is not part of the Tongess Natl Forest.

This is Brenda's art studio, the actual house is to the left.

Brenda Schwartz-Yeager, who is an artist, also grew up in Wrangell, and owns a guiding business. Since she was fully booked up, she helped set up our charter, and went out of her way to make sure we would have a good trip. We really appreciate Brenda's help, and Zach was a terrific guide.

Alaska Charters and Adventures

This is Brenda's art business card.

Brenda does watercolor over charts, and they're beautiful. I have two of her prints hanging in Denali Rose's galley.

Sea Lions

We were teasing Zach, that we would have to mark him down on the animal quotient part of the trip, and then we saw sea lions sunning themselves on the mud flats.

Me, Suzie, Ron, David, and Tin, (an Australian couple who joined us). Bill was taking the photo.

And no trip to Wrangell is complete without a photo on the Wrangell log.

Captain Ron and Suzie

Bill and Donna