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40 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 4:30 PM
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Hello guys,
we are planning a kayaking trip to Hakai and area south of Bella Bella.
When I was there last year, my handheld VHF radio didn't get any signal for receiving weather forecast.
Later I have been told that closest weather station is in port hardy and reason I didn't get any signal is because it is too far for these little radios.
So my question is:
does anyone have a similar experience? And if yes, how do you get your weather forecast while paddling in that area?
Thank you for any tips or advise.
Paul |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 5:52 PM
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| Your only other option would be sat phone |
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north van, bc
Canada
949 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 6:20 PM
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do they have marine weather on the marine ssb channels? I don't think they do anymore though. if they did you could get a handheld ham radio that goes down in the 1.8-30mzh range, and rig up an external wire antena hung from trees... and you'd pick up the marine side band channels. but I was playing with one a few months back and I don't recall any weather channels.
I belive they have a phone number you can call to listen to the recorded messages. so as cam said, sat phone. |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
392 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 9:06 PM
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| I was just on Hakai last week. Our radios picked up the weather, but I was never operating them so I don't know exactly what was going on! Sorry, not much help. |
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141 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 9:35 PM
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We received the regular coastguard WX channel just fine in 2006 (Hakai Pass, Goose Island, Bella Bella). Is your VHF a marine VHF (if not, does it cover the marine bands)?
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Vancouver, bc
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 9:45 PM
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Extending your antenna might be an answer. If your antenna is a BNC, you can get a coax adapter for it. You might be able to adapt a used tv table top antenna and fix it to a multiple of the wavelength. Other than that there are other frequencies broadcasting the weather or you could always call the closest marina via your VHF.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=78BAA9D1-1 |
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9 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 11:17 PM
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| If you can't get the weather on wx. ch. 1 to 10. Call the coast guard on ch. 16, then get them to switch to ch.83a in USA mode. Tell them your problem and ask them for the weather in your area. |
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1448 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 6:51 PM
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as rob said larger ant would definitely improve your reception. Hard to exactly say how much..
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001462.html
quote:
Originally posted by Gearhed
Extending your antenna might be an answer. If your antenna is a BNC, you can get a coax adapter for it. You might be able to adapt a used tv table top antenna and fix it to a multiple of the wavelength. Other than that there are other frequencies broadcasting the weather or you could always call the closest marina via your VHF.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=78BAA9D1-1
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141 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 12:23 PM
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| Spacing on marine VHF radios is 25 kHz steps, spacing on basic non-marine VHF in 15 kHz steps, so the latter may not be able to pick up all marine channels (also need special (ham) license to operate them). |
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40 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2012 : 09:16 AM
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Thank you guys for all your tips.
Cheers,
Paul |
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VHF radio in Hakai area
