VHF Radio Coverage

How complete is the Coast Guard's coverage of California's coastal waters for VHF radio reception?  Can yakkers count on being heard anywhere along the coast if an emergency occurs?

How complete is the Coast Guard's coverage of California's coastal waters for VHF radio reception?  Can yakkers count on being heard anywhere along the coast if an emergency occurs?

Ship-to-Shore you're looking about 5 miles from a handheld-to-base, all will depend on line of sight; thou I have been able to communicate as much as 9 miles out.

Ship-to-ship for handheld-to-handheld might be less..

How complete is the Coast Guard's coverage of California's coastal waters for VHF radio reception?  Can yakkers count on being heard anywhere along the coast if an emergency occurs?

Ship-to-Shore you're looking about 5 miles from a handheld-to-base, all will depend on line of sight; thou I have been able to communicate as much as 9 miles out.

Ship-to-ship for handheld-to-handheld might be less..

So do you need to be within 5 miles of a Coast Guard station or relay tower for them to hear your signal?  How close together are the relay stations along the coast?

Coverage is actually pretty good...
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtNds
If you look at the San Francisco map, most of the areas we fish including Mendocino, Humboldt and Big Sur have remote receivers. Note you have to broadcast on channel 16 or 70.

However, You have to factor in response time, the capability of your VHF and whether you will be able to transmit in a worst case scenario. A PLB or EPIRB is the best back-up device to your VHF.

I know it's been said many times before but nothing beats the buddy system.  The radio, GPS and PFD are all required but there's nothing like having friends nearby to assist if needed.

Coverage is actually pretty good...
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtNds
If you look at the San Francisco map, most of the areas we fish including Mendocino, Humboldt and Big Sur have remote receivers. Note you have to broadcast on channel 16 or 70.

However, You have to factor in response time, the capability of your VHF and whether you will be able to transmit in a worst case scenario. A PLB or EPIRB is the best back-up device to your VHF.

The website also states that the coverage assumes an antenna 2 meters above sea level, which no one has in a kayak unless you can stand up.  I wonder what effect this has on coverage.  Also, if direct line of sight is required are many areas close to the coast blocked from the relay stations by intervening terrain?

Coverage is actually pretty good...
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtNds
If you look at the San Francisco map, most of the areas we fish including Mendocino, Humboldt and Big Sur have remote receivers. Note you have to broadcast on channel 16 or 70.

However, You have to factor in response time, the capability of your VHF and whether you will be able to transmit in a worst case scenario. A PLB or EPIRB is the best back-up device to your VHF.

The website also states that the coverage assumes an antenna 2 meters above sea level, which no one has in a kayak unless you can stand up.  I wonder what effect this has on coverage.  Also, if direct line of sight is required are many areas close to the coast blocked from the relay stations by intervening terrain?

Like I said, PLB or EPIRB is the way to go. Note that in the the HMB rescue last week, it took 20 minutes to find the yakker because he was separated from his yak, and the boat was within a mile at the time the may day was called. Without proper immersion gear, 20 minutes would have been life threatening.

It also helps to know the local channels for the area you are fishing; it might be easier & quicker for a local fisherman/boater to get to you, than it would be a coast guard cutter from base; unless the use the whirly-bird ...

It also helps to know the local channels for the area you are fishing; it might be easier & quicker for a local fisherman/boater to get to you, than it would be a coast guard cutter from base; unless the use the whirly-bird ...

How can the local channels be found for an area?

It also helps to know the local channels for the area you are fishing; it might be easier & quicker for a local fisherman/boater to get to you, than it would be a coast guard cutter from base; unless the use the whirly-bird ...

How can the local channels be found for an area?

http://coastsidefishingclub.com/vhf-radio-channels/

VHF Radio Channels

9- Bodega
07-Harbors
09-Primary Channel for bridges on the Delta
10-Out of Noyo
11-Santa Cruz/Monterey
13-The Montezuma Lock monitors this channel
19-Half Moon Bay/Coastside in general
67-GG Charter Boats
68-Inside SF Bay and the GG
69-Kayak Anglers
88-San Pablo Bay

68,69, 71, 72, 78 – These are the proper channels to use for vessel to vessel communications
27, 28, & 86 -Stockton Marine operator – upriver from Pittsburg
26, 84, & 87 -San Francisco Marine Operator – downriver/Susuin from Martinez to San Francisco Bay and beyond

Full list
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

It also helps to know the local channels for the area you are fishing; it might be easier & quicker for a local fisherman/boater to get to you, than it would be a coast guard cutter from base; unless the use the whirly-bird ...

How can the local channels be found for an area?

http://coastsidefishingclub.com/vhf-radio-channels/

Thanks for the link Mel.

VHF Radio Channels

9- Bodega
07-Harbors
09-Primary Channel for bridges on the Delta
10-Out of Noyo
11-Santa Cruz/Monterey
13-The Montezuma Lock monitors this channel
19-Half Moon Bay/Coastside in general
67-GG Charter Boats
68-Inside SF Bay and the GG
69-Kayak Anglers
88-San Pablo Bay

68,69, 71, 72, 78 – These are the proper channels to use for vessel to vessel communications
27, 28, & 86 -Stockton Marine operator – upriver from Pittsburg
26, 84, & 87 -San Francisco Marine Operator – downriver/Susuin from Martinez to San Francisco Bay and beyond

Full list
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

Right on Mel. I will make a small copy of that, laminate it, and stuff it inside my pfd pocket.

It also helps to know the local channels for the area you are fishing; it might be easier & quicker for a local fisherman/boater to get to you, than it would be a coast guard cutter from base; unless the use the whirly-bird ...

How can the local channels be found for an area?

http://coastsidefishingclub.com/vhf-radio-channels/

VHF Radio Channels

9- Bodega
07-Harbors
09-Primary Channel for bridges on the Delta
10-Out of Noyo
11-Santa Cruz/Monterey
13-The Montezuma Lock monitors this channel
19-Half Moon Bay/Coastside in general
67-GG Charter Boats
68-Inside SF Bay and the GG
69-Kayak Anglers
88-San Pablo Bay

68,69, 71, 72, 78 – These are the proper channels to use for vessel to vessel communications
27, 28, & 86 -Stockton Marine operator – upriver from Pittsburg
26, 84, & 87 -San Francisco Marine Operator – downriver/Susuin from Martinez to San Francisco Bay and beyond

Full list
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

Thanks a lot for the list and the link!

No relay coverage in Big Sur?

There is coverage at sur, just not in the coves like LK. At least I have been able to receive CG broadcasts, never tried to transmit though. One thing to think about is that if you do have to call a pan pan pan, or mayday you will probably be in the water. Many Inexpensive handheld VHFs do not transmit well when the microphone is wet. Stick your VHF in a bucket of water and test it's wet transmission. If it doesn't transmit well get a VHF dry bag or get an ICOM.