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Post by littlejoe1974 on Jan 12, 2009 20:52:14 GMT
 hi its me mike again can anyone advise me as to what is the minimum electronic equipment i will need to go boat fishing around the coastal waters of wales. i am looking to get a vhf radio and some sort of either fish/depth finder or a chart plotter ( these are things i have seen advertised in abundance and feel i must have at least one of each) is there any one out there who has field tested any items listed above and could offer advice to an absolute novice . i have been fishing with charter skippers for 20 years and now i have taken the plunge and bought my own boat. its a cjr 14 dayboat with a 40hp mercury i have owned it now for nearly 2 months and it has been parked up on my drive and i really want to get out on the waves but only with the right safety equipment. i have life jackets, flares lights hand held gps etc but no means of communicating to the shore or other boats so if you feel you have some pointers that may help me no matter how insignificant they may seem , they will be more than welcome keen as mustard 
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Post by Pete B on Jan 12, 2009 21:02:55 GMT
Hi Mike,
I know the feeling, we've been landlocked for a while with an engine prob, atleast it has let us get on with some maintenance.
VHF is a must, we carry a handheld model as a spare alongside our base unit. You can do a day course & test on the correct operation of VHF radio's which certificates you to use them.
I'd recommend a chart plotter not only as safety & navigation kit but it will help with the fishing marks no end.
Also a compass & charts of the areas you plan to fish.
Hope your out on the water soon Mike.
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Post by littlejoe1974 on Jan 12, 2009 21:16:43 GMT
hi pete thanks for that, fortunately or unfortunately,( i don't know which ) i am land locked for that very reason - no comms equipment. my boat is fully functional and the engine runs fine just have to get all the necessaries in place first. who would be the body running those vhf radio courses as i have read somewhere that it is a requirement for you to have a license ( or certification ) to operate vhf equipment
hope the engine problem gets resolved
regards mike :drink:
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Post by Pete B on Jan 12, 2009 21:23:10 GMT
I think its the RYA (short range course), not sure though.......can you tell that I haven't got my license
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Post by littlejoe1974 on Jan 12, 2009 21:27:27 GMT
you must have had one initially otherwise you must be quoting from a fishing comic!!
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Post by Pete B on Jan 12, 2009 21:33:15 GMT
you must have had one initially otherwise you must be quoting from a fishing comic!! My boat owning partner has one but I'd say the majority of boat fisherman probably dont ....sssh  |
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Post by littlejoe1974 on Jan 12, 2009 21:35:44 GMT
thats quite a co-incidence my boat owning partner ( the wife ) hasnt got one either- would you know if its an annually renewable thingy
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Salar
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Live to Fish
Posts: 98
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Post by Salar on Jan 12, 2009 21:43:46 GMT
I think its the RYA (short range course), not sure though.......can you tell that I haven't got my license Plenty of places do courses (Google for one near you) but RYA are one of the main authorities to run the exam and issue the licence. You can learn for free on this site www.egmdss.com/en/ Using a VHF radio at sea without doing the course and holding an operators certificate is not only illegal it is dowright dumb and dangerous. It could put you and others in danger by not knowing the correct procedures in the event of an emergency. There are people out there who haven't done the course (it is painfully obvious to all those listening on VHF when one comes on) but I can't understand why not, nobody fails it and it costs no more than the petrol for a couple of fishing trips. Sorry, rant over. You can tell I feel strongly about it. |
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Salar
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Post by Salar on Jan 12, 2009 21:45:24 GMT
thats quite a co-incidence my boat owning partner ( the wife ) hasnt got one either- would you know if its an annually renewable thingy It's a life thing, another reason why it makes sense to take it. |
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Post by michael1923 on Jan 12, 2009 21:49:10 GMT
Most people out and about wont have a license.
The course would be a very useful tool but not a requirement in my opinion, as long as you can call mayday i cant see the RNLI checking to see if you have a license before picking you up.
I would suggest as Pete has, a handheld radio, then either a chartplotter or gps. Chartplotter will help you find marks to fish but if you have the co-ords already a gps will naviagte you to them.
All about budget, if you can afford it a chartplotter, if not a cheap gps/fishfinder combination on ebay.
The must for me is communication if i get in trouble, VHF radio or as a very last resort a mobile.
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Post by michael1923 on Jan 12, 2009 21:50:00 GMT
I dont mean go out with just a mobile, that isn't the way i meant it. It was if the vhf runs out then at least you would have a mobile.
Back up small engine too.
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Post by littlejoe1974 on Jan 12, 2009 21:53:30 GMT
wow thanks salar point taken . i feel similar about people driving without licences and insurances- great link you gave thanks. just a quick one ...is it similar to amateur radio licencing?
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Salar
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Post by Salar on Jan 12, 2009 21:57:52 GMT
Most people out and about wont have a license. . NOT true. Most people do. The course would be a very useful tool but not a requirement in my opinion, as long as you can call mayday i cant see the RNLI checking to see if you have a license before picking you up. Dangerously wrong advice. It is a legal requirement. If you can't use a VHF, and a Mayday situation can get very complex, you may not end up being picked up at all. I would suggest as Pete has, a handheld radio, .... The must for me is communication if i get in trouble, VHF radio or as a very last resort a mobile. Buy a VHF radio, learn how to use it, then buy the other bits of kit if your budget is tight. A mobile is useful as a last resort. |
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Post by Pete B on Jan 12, 2009 21:59:49 GMT
thats quite a co-incidence my boat owning partner ( the wife ) hasnt got one either- would you know if its an annually renewable thingy It's a life thing, another reason why it makes sense to take it. Is it life-long? I'm sure I over-heard someone in the compound saying that they had to re-new their license. I would have thought that with new technology operators would have to be re-tested once in a while? The new DSC procedures would now need to be incorporated in the course & test. |
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Salar
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Post by Salar on Jan 12, 2009 22:01:07 GMT
just a quick one ...is it similar to amateur radio licencing? I have no idea, sorry! Probably is though. This site may help www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ |
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