No matter what reason you are on the water, boating safety should be your biggest concern. Injuries can ruin your time on the water or make it difficult to make a living. Marine electronics give every sailor the confidence they need to safely navigate the water and protect their boat and crew.
Arguably the most important marine electronic device is going to be your communication equipment. You can't call for help in emergencies if you have nothing to call with. VHF radios have basic send and receive capabilities, and with a good antenna, this tool can be a life saver. This is because the United States Coast Guard monitors channel 16 at all times to listen for emergency assistance requests. Because channel 9 is the most commonly used channel for communication between boats, it is also an important channel to memorize.
Marine radios are available in both fixed mount and hand-held models, and some also come with the capability to work as a microphone, intercom, or hailer. In recent years, marine radios have been fitted with Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth marine radios have access to electronic data entry and voice scramblers, so they have a much higher level of security.
Marine radios also can give your navigator updated weather information. Weather stations broadcast weather updates that can be heard by any VHF radio operating in US waters. This information can be very beneficial when you start preparing your navigation plans. Now you never have to guess what the weather is going to be like, but instead you will know for sure what to expect. Keep this in mind and look for radios that guarantee this capability when you go to purchase one.
Experienced sailors will likely tell you that fixed mount marine radios are more reliable than hand-held radios. Fixed mount radios are usually more powerful and work over longer distances. Portable radios, however, can be carried onto a lifeboat and nearby shores, and they will not be affected by the water. Both models have their positive aspects, and so if you can afford it, it is not a bad idea to invest in both models.
Even though you absolutely have to communication equipment to be safe on the sea, marine radios are not only for emergency situations. VHF radios can be used for chatting with other boats to keep them together or avoid collisions. Be aware that these radios are essentially walkie-talkies, so do not use them for frivolous conversation, but keep your messages short and informational. If you have a boat that is bigger than 65 feet, you are legally required to have a VHF radio on board.
Because the sea can be very dangerous, marine electronics and specifically marine radios were created to keep people from harm. The cost of a marine radio, although hefty, is far outweighed by the risk of being stranded at sea.
Arguably the most important marine electronic device is going to be your communication equipment. You can't call for help in emergencies if you have nothing to call with. VHF radios have basic send and receive capabilities, and with a good antenna, this tool can be a life saver. This is because the United States Coast Guard monitors channel 16 at all times to listen for emergency assistance requests. Because channel 9 is the most commonly used channel for communication between boats, it is also an important channel to memorize.
Marine radios are available in both fixed mount and hand-held models, and some also come with the capability to work as a microphone, intercom, or hailer. In recent years, marine radios have been fitted with Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth marine radios have access to electronic data entry and voice scramblers, so they have a much higher level of security.
Marine radios also can give your navigator updated weather information. Weather stations broadcast weather updates that can be heard by any VHF radio operating in US waters. This information can be very beneficial when you start preparing your navigation plans. Now you never have to guess what the weather is going to be like, but instead you will know for sure what to expect. Keep this in mind and look for radios that guarantee this capability when you go to purchase one.
Experienced sailors will likely tell you that fixed mount marine radios are more reliable than hand-held radios. Fixed mount radios are usually more powerful and work over longer distances. Portable radios, however, can be carried onto a lifeboat and nearby shores, and they will not be affected by the water. Both models have their positive aspects, and so if you can afford it, it is not a bad idea to invest in both models.
Even though you absolutely have to communication equipment to be safe on the sea, marine radios are not only for emergency situations. VHF radios can be used for chatting with other boats to keep them together or avoid collisions. Be aware that these radios are essentially walkie-talkies, so do not use them for frivolous conversation, but keep your messages short and informational. If you have a boat that is bigger than 65 feet, you are legally required to have a VHF radio on board.
Because the sea can be very dangerous, marine electronics and specifically marine radios were created to keep people from harm. The cost of a marine radio, although hefty, is far outweighed by the risk of being stranded at sea.
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