[Rhodes22-list] R22 Instrumentation

[Michel Meltzer]

I second a mast head VHF, at this point DCS is a reasonable option but I
really wish they would install the GPS in them(like cell phones now).
The mast head antenna just seems to do better than the extra 30 foot
allows for in the math, maybe it get around local obstacles, maybe it
get the signal in an out better, maybe it the extra power. Hearing /
responding to the CG for 30+ miles is not usual, AGM/Gel/12 volt
systems still seem ok even wet, the flooded batteries do die.


    I suspects that an EPRIB is overkill for 99% of the rhodes22 boat
owners, The boat simply is not a blue water boat that is outside VHF
range. I think You get more "mileage" out of a handheld that is
waterproof and that can take AA batteries. Extra credit for have the
adapter so you can hook it up to the mast head antenna.

I think people are also missing the simple point, these guy were out in
a untested boat, under time push sure, in cold water.   


-mjm   

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-
> bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Ronald Lipton
> Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 2:18 PM
> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] R22 Instrumentation
> 
> A mounted VHF raido with masthead antenna is pretty
> cheap insurance for situations where the batteries die,
> the radio falls overboard, or if you get so pissed at
> the person you are talking to you throw it into the
> sea (I am accused of doing this).
> 
> Ron
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <DCLewis1 at aol.com>
> To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 11:45 AM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] R22 Instrumentation
> 
> 
> 
> PT,
> 
> Thanks for suggesting a radio and EPRIB as baseline instrumentation.
I
> agree.  I hadn't thought of an EPRIB w GPS, but it seems like an
> excellent
> idea.
> 
> Regarding a radio, when I inquired about insurance the rep asked
whether
> we'
> d have a VHF radio - and I instinctively understood the correct
answer.
> I
> suspect we'll save much of the cost of a radio in the insurance
premium.
> She
> didn't ask about any other instrumentation.
> 
> For the near term I thought I'd go with a hand held radio as opposed
to a
> larger unit. There's less power and the effective antenna height is
low
> which
> will limit range.  On the other hand, it's battery powered and
portable so
> if
> we were swamped, turtled, or whatever, it would be there and work.
> 
> Over the long term I think a mast mounted antenna is the way to go.
From
> my
> perspective, for communications range forget the stern.  You may  pick
up
> a
> few dB with a larger antenna on the stern, but you will lose a couple
of
> dB
> in
> the transitions and cabling to the stern.  You'll be ahead, but  your
big
> hit
> is the line of sight issue - for example in the trawler accident  the
> antenna
> could be substantially masked by the waves at least part of the  time.
If
> you can get the antenna high (e.g. mast mounted) I think you'll  be
better
> off -
> until you have to inspect or service the beaste.
> 
> Dave
> 
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