After that post actually bothered to go and test mine (as I was only a minute away from first five minutes of the hour test window). My RescueMe PLB1 still tests ok (I gave the GPS a test as well, think I've only tested the GPS side once in four years). However my antenna was extreme stiff, I'd prob...

It occasionally occurs to me to test mine. Then I spend a couple of minutes digging out the details on when you’re supposed to test them, realise I’ve just missed the time slot and immediately forget about testing it. 😐

There are a lot more PLBs in the UK than I'd have imagined, 69,000 registered by the end of 2019 ! Looks like there is an average of around 100 uses of them a year, I'm guessing a sizeable number of those are accidental. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/660182/response/1576218/attach/3/Respons...

Did you find this:

https://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/riv ... o-sandwich

Opinions do differ on travelling due to Covid but we are in a self contained van so accomodation isn't needed. We are watching the situation closely and are trying to keep within the spirit of the rules whilst also understanding the need for a gradual return to a safe version of normal as the situa...

That is not our experience locally I’m afraid. The local rivers are crammed with novices, many of who are ignoring social distancing rules. Out on the sea things are at least as busy for paddle boards and kayaks as they usually are at this time of the year. There is still less sailing and motor traf...

The course is probably over 50% practical, you spend a lot of time actually using a radio, practicing delivering and taking down radio calls. It isn't (or shouldn't be) the classroom experience you're imagining.

Please DON'T buy an Expression 11 or anything else based purely on the cockpit size. I had an Expression 11, I'm 'only' 15 stone and it had too little volume in the bows... every time I tried to paddle quickly it would create a bow wave and slow down. Ditto the Pyranha Fusion - I've owned them both...

Chas C wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 08, 2020 6:49 pm

I use a waterproof Apple Watch 3 to track my blood glucose as I'm kayaking, its pretty neat. I'm not really into the fitness tracking bit....

The Apple Watch doesn’t track blood glucose, I assume you have something else connected to it that does ?

Make that much, much more spread on the Greatland Laserflares.

I still wonder how well I’d be at using mine in a moving boat or even in the water.

SRC _is_ part of the licencing requirements.

The accuracy of GPS fixes does vary, basically depending on how many satellites the receiver is getting a good signal from. We are rather spoilt with modern dedicated GPS and the GPS in our phones. They can get very quick GPS fixes (especially phones), because they maintain data on what satellites t...

The course is run by the RYA, but I wouldn't say it was aimed at yachts and powerboats. It is aimed at: - how to effectively use a two way radio (I wonder how many people who just buy a radio know how to use their squelch control) - how to communicate effectively (it is surprising how much you learn...

I think maybe the rule of not divulging information obtained when listening on other people’s transmissions has been mixed up a bit here.

I’m not aware of any rule about not using a name in a transmission.

Unlikely, PLBs only turn on their GPS and get a fix when they are triggered, so it wouldn't have an existing last known position to use. The 9 km is suspiciously close to the quoted 5 mile non GPS PLB typical maximum accuracy... Of course maybe it wasn't a PLB at all, if it was a Spot/inReach then i...

There are some big improvements coming to the PLB space in the near future. The EU funded GPS compatible Galileo satellites are bringing new functionality to the system soon. One side if it is a confirmation that you distress signal has been received: https://www.oroliamaritime.com/2019/07/08/return...

GPS doesn't always work in the hills as you may be shielded from the satellites that are circling over the equator. The GPS satellites don't circle over the equator, they are at a 55% degree inclination, which takes then a long way north and south, well away from the equator. https://youtu.be/PZAki...

You can use whatever terms you like, but as a software developer for the last 30 years I can tell you that most users (me included), most of the time, don't read the text you put on screen to describe/explain things. This example is a good case, the SafeTrx app provides a full on essay to explain th...

It probably was iOS 13 there were changes around this area. With “always” on iOS 13 will prompt you after a few days, reminding you that an app can track you, it also shows the locations you’ve been and gives you an option to turn “always” off. Which can be a bit annoying when it is an app you reall...

If your other half has an iPhone, you could always use "Find My" (friends) to share your location instead of SafeTrx. Apple engineered "Find My" in such a way that only your OH would have access to the location, Apple themselves wouldn't for example.

Yes, 'while using the app' does mean while the app is on the screen. If you have 'while using the app' selected, there is no way for the SafeTrx to track your route when the app isn't active and on screen. So it will only be able to log the bits of the route when you've unlocked your phone and looke...

Have you spoken to Typhoon about it ? They do offer a 3 year warranty on that suit.

The excellent DaVinci Resolve is completely free if you don't need the extra advanced features.

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/pro ... ciresolve/

The theoretical extra range is two miles, from 16 miles to 18 miles. This is based on the height of the Coast Guard antenna being 30 metres, the height your handheld normal is of 0.5 metres and the height with the Galaxy of 2 metres. I used this line of sight distance calculator https://www.qsl.net/...

My ICOM in comparison did not, though I believe they did an adapter for it to get a BNC out.

The antenna on my Standard Horizon attaches with an SMA connector so there are definitely some handhelds this could connect to.

The socks on my Typhoon are still dry after a couple of years of frequent use.

They come in different sizes, people will probably need to know which size it is.

Does the old Etrex actually work, given the GPS bugs that had to be patched over the last few years ?

A similar issue cropped up a few weeks ago. try an extra layer of thermals. it might help keep your central body core temp up a weee bit. also some sort of headcover, a thin neoprene hood or a buff works great and keeps 40% of the heat in The “you lose 40% of you heat through your head” stuff is a ...