Handheld DSC VHF vs. PLB for MOB

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I really, really wish someone would make a really compact DSC VHF handheld which would fit in my lifejacket pocket.

Uh...I've had this for several years: The only issue is that it's noticeably gutless for distance when compared to my preferred cockpit handheld, the HX 850 or 851: But the 471 is a proper DSC VHF, even if it doesn't last all night on a charge (or float, which is a consideration). It certainly can fit in a pocket, however: it's pretty compact and light.

[monte]

Just an update on the R10 AIS SART. We now have it working automatically with the spinlock deckvests after a bit of fine tuning/adjustment.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by monte

Just an update on the R10 AIS SART. We now have it working automatically with the spinlock deckvests after a bit of fine tuning/adjustment.

Good to know. I like the idea for self-rescue should one take a tumble beyond practical SAR range.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

If you are a single hander MOB then EPIRB is your best hope (but your odds are not very good IMHO). PLB is a distant second.

Given that I always sail single-handed with the PLB in my waist pack, and the EPIRB is fixed to the boat and much too large to fit in a pocket, this is obviously complete nonsense. Unless you are suggesting that it is practical to go and pick up the EPIRB in advance, before falling overboard?

Of course an EPIRB has longer battery life, but the battery life of the PLB exceeds the survival time in SF bay by a factor of 20, so it would seem to be sufficient.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the most obvious rescue aid : flares. I have a waist pack for single handing that as well as the PLB, contains a small pack of kayaking flares.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Uh...I've had this for several years: The only issue is that it's noticeably gutless for distance when compared to my preferred cockpit handheld, the HX 850 or 851: But the 471 is a proper DSC VHF, even if it doesn't last all night on a charge (or float, which is a consideration). It certainly can fit in a pocket, however: it's pretty compact and light.

If I'm not mistaken, that one doesn't have a built-in GPS. So to make a DSC distress call, you have to manually put in your coordinates. Not very good for MOB situation.

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Uh...I've had this for several years: The only issue is that it's noticeably gutless for distance when compared to my preferred cockpit handheld, the HX 850 or 851: But the 471 is a proper DSC VHF, even if it doesn't last all night on a charge (or float, which is a consideration). It certainly can fit in a pocket, however: it's pretty compact and light.

The Standard Horizon 471 doesn't have a GPS built-in, so it's essentially useless for kayaking or MOB, as the GPS position is of course the most salient bit of information. The USCG reports that most DSC calls are incomplete.

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

If I'm not mistaken, that one doesn't have a built-in GPS. So to make a DSC distress call, you have to manually put in your coordinates. Not very good for MOB situation.

The bottom pictures at the top of the vhf have GPS inscribed on them, I wonder if that means anything.

If the person can see the mast for miles anyway, AIS/GPS isn't really needed, just have the person in the water tell the person on the boat where to go.

[MarkSF]

The bottom pictures are of the 851, which does have a built-in GPS, but is rather bulky. The top one is of the much smaller 471, which doesn't have a GPS.

Perhaps the near future will bring the size down.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by cal40john

The bottom pictures at the top of the vhf have GPS inscribed on them, I wonder if that means anything.



If the person can see the mast for miles anyway, AIS/GPS isn't really needed, just have the person in the water tell the person on the boat where to go.

You might have a look at talking into a VHF wearing an inflated lifejacket in any sort of aggressive seaway. See how that works for you !

Dave

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

The bottom pictures are of the 851, which does have a built-in GPS, but is rather bulky. The top one is of the much smaller 471, which doesn't have a GPS.

Perhaps the near future will bring the size down.

I own the HX851 and am aware that it has GPS. It is too bulky to keep on your person and I was complaining that there aren't smaller ones. The person who posted the photos you refer to was stating that there are smaller ones, namely the 471. I was pointing out that the smaller one doesn't have GPS and is therefore not much use in a MOB situation (or any other, probably).

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

You might have a look at talking into a VHF wearing an inflated lifejacket in any sort of aggressive seaway. See how that works for you !

Dave

I reckon pushing the DSC distress button will not be harder than activating a PLB (which requires releasing the antenna and holding up to the sky!), or activating any other rescue signalling device.

Furthermore, a DSC handheld can be interrogated by other radios without any action at all on the part of the casualty (Position Request).

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

If I'm not mistaken, that one doesn't have a built-in GPS. So to make a DSC distress call, you have to manually put in your coordinates. Not very good for MOB situation.

The 471S is DSC-only, although it can read a NMEA 0183 lat/lon from a plotter when it's sitting in its charge cradle, and from there will include that info in the DSC call. The 850 and 851 models have the option to have the GPS internal module on; the lat/lon. is subsequently part of the DSC string.

I usually don't have the GPS on in my 850 as it runs the battery down faster, but I've used it for a quick check if my handheld GPS (which acquires slower than the SH 850) is off or is getting batteries changed.

It's been some time since I bought them, but that's my recollection.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I own the HX851 and am aware that it has GPS. It is too bulky to keep on your person and I was complaining that there aren't smaller ones. The person who posted the photos you refer to was stating that there are smaller ones, namely the 471. I was pointing out that the smaller one doesn't have GPS and is therefore not much use in a MOB situation (or any other, probably).

Horses for courses. As I stated, if you have the 471S in its cradle, and the cradle is hooked to a GPS plotter, the latest plots are stored aboard the VHF. So if you hole the boat and start to sink, you take the fully charged VHF on deck and hit the red button, you will not logically be very far from your last recorded position.

I would find that useful in both an abandon ship and a MOB situation, although I do admit that the 471S is somewhat superseded by better, more recent radios, it's still getting plenty of use in our cockpit. My ratio of handheld to base VHF use is 90/10 on my 33 footer, but in the pilothouse 41 footer, it's more 50/50.

I also don't find the 850/851 too bulky, but then I'm willing to trade compactness for "floating".

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I own the HX851 and am aware that it has GPS. It is too bulky to keep on your person and I was complaining that there aren't smaller ones. The person who posted the photos you refer to was stating that there are smaller ones, namely the 471. I was pointing out that the smaller one doesn't have GPS and is therefore not much use in a MOB situation (or any other, probably).

Hopefully the manufacturers are hearing this and working on smaller radios. I'd like a DSC one with GPS and AIS that floats and is half the size of the 851. With 25W transmit power.

[Dockhead]

For those who doubt that a PLB is of any use at all in a MOB situation, here is an actual story of someone rescued with the aid of one:

BYM Product and Industry News

And in the frigid waters off Cornwall, too.

I have been told by Dave on here and others for a long time that PLBs take too long to evoke a real response to be of much use in an MOB situation, and that always sounded right to me. But here is at least one case that shows that a PLB might not be entirely useless.