Crestline Soaring Society

I just picked up a VX-150 at HRO a few weeks ago. Nice little radio, about half the size of my old Icom IC-2GAT, with much more battery life. The VX-150 is on it's way out in the product line (the successor is waterproof and has a bigger display), so it came with a drop-in rapid charger worth at least $40 to sweeten the deal. I picked up a cigarette charger and a spare battery holder that takes 8 AA cells. They didn't have a headset I liked but I got an Icom to Yaesu adapter to hook up my old barely-functional Icom PTT and headset. The Icom PTT does key up the mic, which isn't always the case with Icom to Yaesu adaptation. My out-the-door cost was just over $200.

I've committed to carrying it when I fly, at least in a pocket. The built-in belt clip has string-holes and is secure enough to use to attach a lanyard from the harness. I've flown once with the clip around a shoulder strap but the spring on the clip couldn't handle even low Gs and it swung around a lot, so I put it in a harness pocket; an additional string around the radio would take care of that. Having it readily accessible in flight without having to 'rig it up' every time is the next goal.

I have to say that years ago when I got my HAM ticket and a couple of radios and all that I soon found that I didn't really like the chatter while flying, most of the time; worse when picking up a couple of old guys miles away chatting idly about their trip to the hardware store. But it sure can be handy or even life-saving. Not much cell phone coverage down in the canyons.

In an emergency it is legal for ANYONE to use a HAM radio.

Another nice thing is being able to monitor the automated NOAA area weather observations and forecasts (162.500 or 162.450 MHz locally)

The No-Code Tech license test is pretty easy, especially if you have some basic understanding of electronics and such. I bought the ARRL study/practice book and spent a couple of evenings with it before just showing up at a testing day (at Patton State Hospital!) and passed on the first try.

Do It!

Good Flying,
Ken Howells
KD6-GOE (Glides Over Everyone)

I'll wear mine if you wear yers...

I used to always carry mine with me. It wasn't always on, but it was in a pocket in case of emergency. But I lost it :(

-Dave

I've flown Crestline since 1985 without a radio, never missed having one. Watched a lot of pilots struggle with getting theirs to work before launching. I certainly see the benefit if you plan on landing somewhere besides the LZ. But, the radio prices have come down over the last 20 years and the test sounds like it gotten easier. So, maybe it time to rethink the reasons to carry one around.......

Alan,

I agree with the radio idea. I always use mine, but I don't think that is enough. The rescue choppers had a hard time finding Scotty. I made a mental note to start using my GPS again for safety reasons. I had stopped using mine because the flight tracks all start to look the same. Had Scotty been using a GPS, he could have communicated his coordinates and sped up the rescue process.

The other point is that we as pilots should be spending the money on safety gear. No one plans on crashing when they launch, but sometimes you do. If you are on the side of the hill, all busted up, do you think you are really going to care whether or not your radio costs $120 or $300 or $1,000? Nope! What you are going to care about is whether or not you can get help. In addition, if you are seriously hurt, time to rescue becomes a critical factor to survival.

I am charging up my GPS and radio for my next flight.

2 Meter Radio - $120
Wrist Mount GPS - $150
Having them with you when you crash - Priceless!

Warm Regards,

Joe Popper

PS. Don't forget the cell phone!

Safety devices...

A radio is a good start. But the downed pilot needs to be conscious and report his location (if not seen by others). And it may be of limited use if the batteries are weak at the time of accident. Also you can be out of range if in a deep canyon. I carry a long flexible antenna (not expensive) in my harness to help extend range.

A GPS is only usefull if you have a radio to report your position.

I only know of one pilot in our area that has a SPOT (click me), but that could be the best single safety instrument.

Flying buddies. Even if you are unconscious, they can call for help and report your location. But that only works if they were in visual contact at the time of your accident.

Cell phone If injured but conscious you can report your own accident. But your phone may not get reception if in a canyon.

The more you have of the above, the better your odds.

Personally I fly with my radio off, in a zippered pocket, most of the time. But here are 2 free Ham tests: http://www.kb0mga.net/exams/index.php and http://www.aa9pw.com/

You will probably get about 50% without any study (tips: choose the obvious answer, they don't try to be tricky; it's almost always "All of the above"). You need 75% to pass (26 correct out of 35).

Here are all the questions (starts on page 8) http://www.ncvec.org/downloads/2006tech.pdf.

When I was writing a Father and 12 year old daughter were also testing. The Dad was writing his General and the daughter the Technician (all you'll need). She missed by only 2 questions (they let her write a second test, but I didn't stick around).

Review the questions, run a few practice tests and you will pass.

- Alan

Without endorsing any of these merchants, here is some standard pricing from across the net as of Nov 28, 2008.

VX-150

$117.95 (includes spare battery) http://www.aaradio.com/cartfile/yaesu/vx150.html

$124.00 http://www.gigaparts.com/store.php?action=profile&sku=ZYS-VX-150-64B

$124.95 http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/3187.html

VX-170

$119.95 http://www.aaradio.com/cartfile/yaesu/VX170_a19.html

$119.99 http://www.gigaparts.com/store.php?action=profile&sku=ZYS-VX-170

$129.95 http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0170.html

- Alan