Quote:
Originally Posted by Breakwater
I have a VHF for 2 reasons;
1. Others boaters will hear my calls for help and start responding when 911 is between me and an operator in Concord that then calls the fire dept.
2. My VHF is connected to my GPS and upon pressing an emergency button...my exact location is transmitted to other VHF radios. This is a common feature on most basic level radios. And its another relatively inexpensive layer of insurance when a boat is on fire or sinking.
My $.02!
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I remember posts from a year or two ago where very few people used that digital selective calling system on the lake. The Marine Patrol, Sea Tow and Tow Boat US did
NOT monitor channel 70 for that DCS emergency distress and location system in past years as I recall. It's been several years that new fixed mount VHF radios have been required to have at least basic DCS ability but you must apply for and program in your unique vessel ID. It's easy to do but most people on the lake don't. Ocean going groups find it very helpful for regular activities as well as emergencies.
At the lake most VHF users monitor Ch 16 for voice communications but not the DCS system on Channel 70. In fact they often use channel 70 for idle chit-chat which blocks that channel for the digital DCS emergency use.