How Do You Carry Your VHF?
I have been looking for a new way to carry my VHF radio. I have a water proof VHF Icom M88. It is supposed to be a really good radio. Submersible, waterproof, JIS grade 7 and all that. But how much should I trust all that. Does that mean that I can truly trust that after going for a swim my radio will be completely trustworthy. Or does it just mean that Icom will replace my radio after it fails. I have a pocket on my PFD for carrying my radio and that is my preferred way to carry it. I don’t like the idea of it being secured in a hatch on my boat and being stranded somewhere without my boat thinking, I wish I had put that VHF in my pocket. I wonder if my radio is waterproof as much as a ballistic vest is “bullet proof” try bullet resistant.
There are several different drybags out there for radios. I have an Aquapac, that works fine, but I can’t use it and put the radio in my pocket. I’m curious about a bag made by Gaia Paddle Sports. But it too seems bigger than what I need. I usually just put the radio in my pocket now without a dry bag and just hope for the best. Of course I have to remember that I have it in there and not do any rolling practice. Any ideas?
October 24, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Interesting blog.
Joe
http://lifeguarding.wordpress.com/
December 27, 2007 at 12:16 am
Hello,
I carried for a year my first Vhf handheld radio in the pocket of my buoyancy aid. In spite of washing it in fresh water and drying it after every paddle, the copper contact plates slowly corroded and water seeped in the battery compartment.
Not very waterproof.
I suggest the Aquapac case:
http://www.aquapac.net/
Good blog,
Wenley
December 27, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Wenley,
What brand was your VHF that failed? Do you still keep your VHF in a PFD pocket in the Aquapac case? Seems a bit cumbersome.
December 27, 2007 at 12:57 pm
It was precisely an Icom M88, JIS grade 7 and all.
You are right, the case does add bulk to it, but if you want to rely on the radio when you’ll need it…