Marine radios for Whitsundays

Submitted: Friday, May 11, 2007 at 15:39

ThreadID: 45354 Views:3241 Replies:7 FollowUps:4

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Member - colin M (NSW)

Planning to go back to Whitsundays when I get my new boat in 8 weeks. Last time I was up there with a 27mg radio locals told me it was useless up there. I want to get the right gear so an anyone tell me should I get VHF radios or UHF for around the islands?

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Reply By: Member -Signman - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:00

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 16:00

Marine VHF- I think Whitworths have them on special at the moment !!

AnswerID: 239311

Reply By: Member -Signman - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 17:13

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 17:13

and if you happen to vhf- I have a Seaphone microphone I can give you!!

AnswerID: 239317

Reply By: Member - Ross A (QLD) - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 20:30

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 20:30

Hi Colin, I do radio for the Coast Guard in Townsville and VHF is by far the superior marine radio (before you jump on me I am not putting HF into the equation). VHF can be heard by us in any conditions as far south as Bowen and up to Lucinda and out to the Barrier Reef. 27 Mg is all but useless after about 10k's and totally useless if you are in behind Islands, cape's or points etc. For the Whitsundays I would not even consider a 27 Mg hope this helps.

Cheers

Rossco

AnswerID: 239363

Follow Up By: Member - colin M (NSW) - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 20:39

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 20:39

Hi Rossco
Thanks for that I therefore assume if I instal a VHF radio I should be right up there. I will also take my satellite phone when going on the water so that should be fair back up. 27Mg is on th boat already so I will add the VHF. Is HF a lot more expensive and if so is it worth the expense?
Colin

FollowupID: 500374

Follow Up By: Member - Ross A (QLD) - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:04

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:04

Colin, Not knowing what size boat you have but IMO unless you are going 100's of K's off the coast a HF is probably not really necessary. In Qld you have to carry a EPIRB on any vessel venturing more than 2K's from calm water i.e. the coast or from an island so you have that as an enforced safety requirement anyhow. I have just re-read my previous post and it is a bit mis-leading. A quick explanation and the forum Xperts will steer me straight if I am wrong here but VHF and 27Mg radio waves follow the earth's surface so if you place anything an island, cape, point etc in between your aerial and the intended receiving aerial it will not receive your radio wave. VHF works over a longer distance than 27 Mg. I do not know how to place a site link but if you go to the site below it explains it better than I can. Hope I haven't confused you.

http://www.amcom.amc.edu.au/handbook/mrohb.2007.pdf

Cheers

Rossco

FollowupID: 500406

Follow Up By: _gmd_pps - Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:11

Friday, May 11, 2007 at 22:11

Colin,

do not forget that you need a Certificate to use VHF ... hefty fines apply if you use it without Certificate .... 2-3 evenings at Tafe are courses to get the Certificate ...

I am heading to Ningaloo and Barrier Reef soon again (diving, uw photography) with my own boat and have both 27Mhz and VHF

good luck
gmd

FollowupID: 500410

Reply By: Mal Watson - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 08:09

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 08:09

Colin
VHF is the only way to go in Whitsundays. What you also need to find out from the local VMR (Volunteer Marine Rescue) stations is what repeater channels they use (it will be one or more of Ch 21, 22, 80, 81 or 82) as in lots of places (behind chunks of rock otherwise known as islands) you won't get through on the normal distress, urgency safety and calling Channel 16. Also find out at what times they do their regular weather forcasts or you can always call up and get one.

Yes you are supposed to have an operator's licence, MROCP for MROVCP and I would recommend the course. Usually available from TAFE and local VMR (Coast Guard or Coastal Patrol in NSW). If you live near the coast there should be one near you somewhere.

MF/HF radios are expensive, $4,000 and up and not really required unless you plan on going really far, overseas etc
UHF is the CB you have in your 4WD. Not a marine radio.

Mal

AnswerID: 239482

Follow Up By: Member - colin M (NSW) - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 10:49

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 10:49

Thanks for all the responses guys, very helpful makes me pleased I signed on as a member. I have a 4.85m Trailcraft and will only be venturing a few Kms offshore in the right weather. Will go for the VHF as it should fit the bill. I have my radio operators license from 1981 and it does not show a expiry date so suppose it is still current. Will probably re do the TAFE course as a refresher

FollowupID: 500488

Reply By: Shane (QLD) - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:32

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:32

Colin M,

Some VMR's monitor Ch 10 on UHF, so this might be worth a try instead of VHF.( I personally have always used 27 megs on all but one boat whereapon I had both. (now on my 18th personal boat & used to own hire boats). The chatter was always on 27 meg with only weather reports on VHF. But if the area dictates VHF, I suppose you have no choice.

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Reply By: Mal Watson - Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 17:51

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 17:51

Colin
If you already have a licence that's fine. They last for life and there is no annual fee. Not many like that any more!! First off you could order the latest handbook from Australian Maritime College who now look after all this stuff under contract. Their website is www.amcom.amc.edu.au. The manual costs around $30 with postage. If you do a course you will need this book anyway.
Mal

AnswerID: 239558