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How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:24 pm
by stephk
Hi!

I bought a two-way radio last year to be used while kiting alone.
I was wondering how I should attach it to my flotation device. Anyone have any ideas? Ideally it would be accessible in case of an emergency with minimal effort. It will be in a AquaPack as well...

thanks!

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:27 pm
by kiterocky
Phone drybag

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:55 pm
by stephk
It is in a dry bag already... just wondering how I should strap it onto my vest.
I was thinking duct tape but then it would not be very convenient to remove to charge at the end of the day...

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:16 pm
by Slappysan
You would be much safer carrying a ( PLB http://oceansignal.com/products/plb1/ ) instead, they are about 1/3 the size too. But 3x the price.

Handheld VHF radios are only reliable for about 5 km when bobbing around in the water, do a measure distance on google maps at your spot and see how far that gets you. Also realize that when we are out there are barely any boaters out there with us because of the high seas from the wind swell so you'll need to rely on making contact with shore not other craft.

With a PLB you have global coverage and pinpoint location data.

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:07 pm
by tomsinamerica
A PLB is kinda binary though... "I'm in imminent danger, come get me at any cost" or nothing.

Radio gives you a few shades in between...

As for mounting the radio, is there anyway you could get an ipad strap type thing and strap it to your bicep?

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 1:07 am
by stephk
I am definitely pro radio. All boaters with a radio are required to monitor ch.16 and ch.9.
The coast guards monitor these channels as well and also have repeaters set up to make sure that distress signals are heard. If shtf and I am stranded out there and a boat is nearby and the coast guard is much further away, I am grateful to be able to communicate with the boat as they would be the first responders. This is why i opted for a radio and not a device that does not provide any feedback to know if it is working or not.
As far as attaching it to my arm, its a little bulky for this. I wonder if floatation vest exist that have some pouch or special strap for radios?

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 1:34 am
by gilana
What about a thick elastic web strap, loop and sew into a circle, then cross over to make Infinity sign.
Radio affixes to the X part, preferably with screws that hold a belt clip.
Put arms through the loops .

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 1:47 am
by jakemoore
I put mine in a fanny pack with my flare gun and strobe light. A few brass grommets in the bottom make a handy drain.

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 2:28 am
by jonnydiesel
http://www.aeoliankitesurfing.com/w.e.t.html

these work, depending on size of radio

Re: How to carry a Two-way radio for Open water

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 5:48 am
by juandesooka
No matter what the mount, you will definitely want a wrist strap or lanyard. The one time I needed to use the vhf while kiting in an quasi-emergency situation, I discovered that having to fly your kite 1 handed while talking into the vhf and risking losing it, is stressful!

The optimal would be a mount on chest just below shoulder, so you can talk into it while it is mounted. You could sew a mount like this onto your pfd.

Another good storage spot for stuff like this....cargo shorts...big side pockets easily accessible.