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On the water communications

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Started 5 years ago by KiwiBird
Latest reply from Hollywood

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TangledUpInBlue
Member

In another thread DonKeyHoTey wrote:

<snip>

That would undoubtedly be facilitated by voice comms before they deploy -- not possible in our case due to our location being VHF/cellphone wasteland -- which also precluded contacting SeaTow or Boat-US by those means.

<snip>

One other feature if one has the luxury of both an inReach and a Boat US account, an icon that sends you to a message screen to request a tow with Boat US is added to the interface. You could probably do it without an account if you knew an email address or SMS contact number for them (or go through a friend.)

http://www.boatus.com/towing/delorme.asp

Posted 5 years ago #
PolarVortex
Member

TangledUpInBlue -

Speaking of communication, I am not sure how to contact you privately via the forum to share my email address with you. I have some photos and videos I would like to share.

I believe that I can reply to a text you sent via your delorme and provide you with my email address in that text message.

Would you be able to check your delorme this weekend if I text you?

Thanks,

PolarVortex

Posted 5 years ago #
Moose
Member

PV, I think you can get another member's e-mail address in the "Member Services" tab.

Posted 5 years ago #
TangledUpInBlue
Member

PV, you can email me at duffb at coxinet dot net. I have some to share with you too. I'm still editing photos and videos and have some you might want.

Posted 5 years ago #
Speck
Member

Fun with Delorme text messages:

http://sailingfortuitous.com/rimas/

Posted 5 years ago #
CaptKirk
Member

Okay, maybe I'm a bit old fashion but is there a radio channel for communication between members of the tribe? I have this nice little radio that I could have on for the start across Tampa Bay in case anyone needs assistance, If someone is ashore at the start, with a powerful base station, they could monitor the channel and have an idea about what's happening on the water and communicate with us as necessary. Do we have any ham radio tribers? I already have a tracker, a radio, an emergency locator beacon, flares, dye markers,smoke, a boat horn and a whistle. I really don't want anything else on a 20 ft open sailboat. If I need assistance I will ask for it, If asked I will render it ASAP.

Posted 5 years ago #
SwampMonkee
Member

this just isn't necessary. there are three checkpoint that people can be held at if necessary. there are sections of the course where VHF and cell is 0. we were as much as 15 miles offshore....VHF is line of sight and we are on the water.....no masthead antennas in this group. participants who really need help can use spot and PLB's. The tracker certainly has to work and have a dedicated techy who's only job during the event is to keep it working.

Posted 5 years ago #
CatFink
Member

Hollywood,
Does the Guide 10 recharge a unit (phone, gps,etc.) if you were to put a fresh set of alkalines in the guide 10? So if the re-chargeables that come with it were dead you still have charging capability?
Thanks

Posted 5 years ago #
TangledUpInBlue
Member

From their website:

"I want to use this product to charge cell phones, ipods and related devices. Can I utilize alkaline batteries in a pinch if I'm on a plane for and extended period and the NiMH batteries are depleted? I understand that I cannot recharge alkaline batteries.

A:

No, the Guide 10 Plus is set up specifically for NiMh batteries. You can use any replacement NiMh batteries, but alkaline batteries can damage your unit."

So if you have a stash of charged NiMH batteries you could keep reloading it. The Goal Zero battery unit is designed to be used with one of their small solar panels to recharge the batteries and/or your device in the field but they do sell just the battery unit seperatly and it recharges via USB input. For recharging the inReach, you can use any battery or power supply you might use for charging other devices with USB power input, Delorme just seems to have partnered with Goal Zero. I have a Goal Zero but usually take a different battery for recharging stuff for one reason or another. Unlike my cell phone, I've not had to recharge the inReach in the field (yet). However, I mostly use it for weekend or day trips. Using a solar panel just complicates matters, perhaps if on a really long trip or at a base camp.

Someone does make a unit you can use AA alkalines in and have a USB output. I don't have one but have seen them on Amazon.

For the EC, I took one of these converters for charging USB devices from a Dewalt lithium tool battery, which would be my iphone and inReach. I found I could keep my iphone 6 charged for about a week of normal everyday use from my 18volt battery. I already had the battery and the device seems useful for other than on boats. Overall, kind of bulky for a kayak. http://www.amazon.com/PoweriSite-USB-Charger-DeWalt-Batteries/dp/B00MBU8Z0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426977967&sr=8-1&keywords=powerisite

Posted 5 years ago #
Hollywood
Member

CatFink wrote:

Hollywood,
Does the Guide 10 recharge a unit (phone, gps,etc.) if you were to put a fresh set of alkalines in the guide 10? So if the re-chargeables that come with it were dead you still have charging capability?
Thanks

I have used alkaline batteries in a crunch. Didn't damage any circutry or let the genie out of there. Once I felt they were drained, I just threw them in the recycle bin and went back to NiMH rechargeable batteries.

Regarding GoalZero and inReach's relationship: You will see many companies over the coming months that have partnered with GoalZero. The tech term you will hear is, "GoalZero" ready. One of the companies I work with started last year on a venture with GZ and it will be launching very soon.

Posted 5 years ago #

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