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saab463
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Location: Brisbane
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Personal epirbs
Hi all
Just been thinking that if I am going to get into this offshire fishing caper, then I really should make sure that I am set up to cope with any situation that might arise. I read in billbobs article that he carries a personal epirb. Anyone have any reccomendations or details on where to purchase one.
Cheers
Guy 
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DAGGER CAYMAN
SEVLOR SEAT
FLUSH MOUNT ROD HOLDER
YAKIMA FOOT RESTS
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9/Jan/2005, 12:29 pm
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billbob
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Location: Noosa, Queensland
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Re: Personal epirbs
Mine's a GME MT310.
I carry it in the front pocket of my PFD. It's permanently attached to it by a light nylon line.
Most marine dealers will carry them in stock. My local guy's a 'Bargain Boat Bits' dealer, which is an Oz wide banner group.
They often have them on special at around $190.00 to $195.00, from memory.
I also carry two 'Day' flares in my small centre hatch. Oh, and a mobile phone.
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Perception Swing Angler
Perception Synchro Angler
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www.fishingnoosa.com.au
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9/Jan/2005, 1:21 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: Personal epirbs
Hi Guy,
Good to hear you are thinking seriously about safety offshore
Personally I prefer a UHF marine hand-held radio over an EPIRB. If I'm paddling solo offshore I'll check-in with the local sea rescue radio station, let them know where I am , where I'm going & my approx. return time which they log. When I return I confirm my safe return.
I feel the ability I have to call for help in a way other boaties may hear, rather than just the EPIRB monitoring service, may lead to a quicker response. The downside of a radio is that it is a little more bulky to carry & more complicated to use than an EPIRB in the event you are physically disabled by the event.
That's just my opinion but whatever you decide on you will be a lot safer with it than without & $200 is cheap security.
While on the safety theme have you also considered carrying other, simpler safety items on your PFD like a whistle, a mirror and a knife ?
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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9/Jan/2005, 4:36 pm
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Meoldchina
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Re: Personal epirbs
G'day Guy,
For similar safety reasons I looked into this issue myself last year and decided against EPIRB's in favour of a waterproof handeld VHF radio and I always carry mine on board. It was in the rear Drybag on Saturday but yesterday arvo I made up a "tube" that can be bungee-strapped on the rear deck and floats if it comes loose. I also have my V-sheet, small waterproof torch and waterproof digital camera in this tube while my whistle and stainless steel mirror are tucked into in my front lifejacket mesh pocket. A floating knife and pliers are attached to the hull by half metre lengths of light cord and my mobile phone and small spare knife are in the day hatch (mobile phone is inside 2 waterproof bags). One of my two water bottles is kept handy in a floating sleeve (stubby cooler).
Of course to legally operate a Marine VHF radio requires a "Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency" but I found this course to be very interesting when done at my local Coastguard.
A couple of reasons I went away from the EPIRB was that the satelite passes infrequently (once every hour or so from memory), the accuracy is up to a 20K circle (also from memory as I discarded all my notes on the various models), and the cheaper 121.5/243 MHz units are due to be phased out probably around 2009 (in favour of the currently more expensive 406MHz type). I guess the phase-out should reduce prices of the 121.5/243 MHz types and, if you weren't worried about it being usable for over 5 years, then there might be some good buys around.
I guess everyone's safety needs are a different personal choice so will be interested to hear which way you go.
Regards,
Ross
Last edited by Meoldchina, 9/Jan/2005, 6:02 pm
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9/Jan/2005, 5:59 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: Personal epirbs
Thanks for the info Ross. I heard something about EPIRB frequencies changing but I didn't know the specifics.
If you get a UHF radio you need to be careful about how waterproof it is.
The JIS standard has a rating system for water resistance & if you don't plan on keeping the radio in a dry bag you should make sure it's JIS-7 rated 'submersible'.
This can often add a bit to the price & while the submersible rating is a good thing My radio is JIS-7 & after using it for a few trips I found that it gets crusty with salt & bait residue off your fingers anyway, which I wasn't keen on.
I ended-up buying an 'aqua-pac' for mine. It's a specially designed clear waterproof bag that is tactile enough to still be able to use the radio while it's in the bag. Now it not only stays dry but clean too The aqua-pac also has a lanyard attachment hole so you can leash it to yourself or your kayak so it's easily accessable in the event you need it & won't drop over the side.
The lesser waterproof radio plus an aqua-pac will cost less than a JIS-7 rated radio will cost. Stick a couple of those small bags of silica gel into the aqua-pac to absorb any moisture & your radio will be fine!
And another tip... the U.S.A. uses the same UHF frequencies as Australia. If you are an eBay'er, radios can be bought cheaply & imported. It's quite legal & there's no G.S.T. payable. You can even buy new at many vendors on-line & have them ship it down. Again, it's legal but you will need to pay G.S.T. on it 'coz it's new. The only down side is if your radio comes with a mains charger. You will have to organise a 240V charger from places like **** Smith Electronics as your radio will probably come with a 110V as that's what the U.S. uses.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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10/Jan/2005, 7:11 am
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PoddyMullet
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Re: Personal epirbs
Good posts gents, and something I've been considering for myself. What sort of range could be expected from marine radios at "yak level"? I'm more consdering some out of the way lakes etc.
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Perception Swing & Dagger Drifter II. Wouldn't one yak be enough?
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11/Jan/2005, 7:26 am
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The Mariner
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Re: Personal epirbs
Sorry guys.. I just realised I made a repeated typo in my posts. Mr radio is a VHF not a UHF. 
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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11/Jan/2005, 9:10 am
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saab463
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Location: Brisbane
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Re: Personal epirbs
Thanks for all the info guys. I had the opportunity to pick up a MT310 garmin epirb at the right price today, so I grabbed it. I will carry it when ridng my dirtbike as well. Hopefully I will never need to use it. I will put a VHF radio next on the wish list.
Cheers
GUY
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DAGGER CAYMAN
SEVLOR SEAT
FLUSH MOUNT ROD HOLDER
YAKIMA FOOT RESTS
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12/Jan/2005, 6:44 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: Personal epirbs
Hi Poddy,
I have been doing a little research but haven't turned up a lot.
Range would be dependent on your output wattage & height off the water. Most handheld radios have adjustable outputs up to a max. of 5W... any more than 5W would be a health issue.
I have read some U.S. articles which claim range to be in the 4-6 mile range at kayak height but this would be reduced if you were in the water & the radio is just above the surface.
However I have been able to clearly hear & talk to other boaties 50km away on some occasions. Atmospheric conditions may have been especially favourable at the time but I don't know.
Hi Guy,
Good work on the purchase. If you haven't already considered it please don't overlook carrying the simple safety items like a whistle, knife, mirror etc. on your PFD.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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13/Jan/2005, 9:27 am
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PoddyMullet
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Re: Personal epirbs
Once again thanks for the info Phil, much appreciated.
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Perception Swing & Dagger Drifter II. Wouldn't one yak be enough?
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13/Jan/2005, 6:46 pm
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