house marine band radio

[muskieswen]

I would like to install a marine band radio in my cabin for my wife to contact me when supper is ready among other things and was wondering what I need. I have one mounted in the boat already. I am assuming same kind of radio for the house would work but what about the antenna? I am on breezy point, so what kind of distance should I expect? I am assuming that I could not get out to big bay on Cliffs secret spot but maybe Birch point or Niles bay? Any thoughts?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

As you probably know most marine band radios generally only work well in open water or on a straight line transmission with nothing inbetween you and the other reciever.( This is not always true, as I have been able to talk to others that were by Trout Lake Portage and I was at the Pike Bay Narrows.)

I would guess that your home station would work best if you had a tower type of antenna, or maybe even by putting an 8' antenna on top of your house or garage. ???

Worth a try.

Cliff

[vermilionfox]

I could be wrong, but when you're using marine band radios from shore don't you need a license? As I recall no license is needed when using it ship to ship so to speak.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Vermilionfox,

You could be right about that.

I know this was discussed last year in the main forum but do not recall what the verdict was.

I know I would give it a try.

Cliff

[stick]

I did the same at our cabin, and it's great. I do believe that you need a license, but I'm rolling the dice on that one. I didn't want a 12 VDC battery to power mine, so I looked on ebay for a 12 V power supply. The kicker is that you need 7 amps or more. I recently did a search on ebay for my brother for "power supply 10 amp" and you could get one for $50 or less. It's a pretty sweet setup. I also got a handheld for winter time and that was great too. I carry a menu with me in the boat, and give a 15 minute head start, and I show up to a hot meal and cold drink. Awesome! (Kidding about the menu portion of course.)

[delcecchi]

When I looked into it a couple years ago, what you are doing was not allowed according to the FCC rules. Of course the likelyhood of getting caught and anything happening is very low.

[shamrock7]

We used to monitor Marine 69 but have since dropped it with the advent of cell phones and the fact that it kept getting hit by lightning. Anyway, being a commercial interest on the lake, we were legal installing it but we did have to get a FCC liscense. We used to be able to get just about the entire length of the lake for service. Once you got to the far ends, it was pretty borderline. Radio shack normally stock 110 volt converters to facilitate operating in the cabin. If you are only using it for shorter distances, I would try a hand held in the cabin to save the legality issue.

[muskieswen]

I never even thought about the legal part of this. I will have to do some research and let you all know. Thanks for the information on this one.

[Capt. Quicksteel]

As Cliff said, just get an 8 ft antenna and put it in a tree or on the front of your boathouse. We had one on Sandpoint and could raise the boat from Crane Lake to Kettle Falls on most days. It doesn't take much height to get a good result.

[archer59]

You could also install a larger verticle antenna at the cabin with a hand held. Usually just need a BNC connector for the cable from antenna to radio. If you need any other info let me know. I'm a ham operator.

Nick

[HansB]

Quote:

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I never even thought about the legal part of this. I will have to do some research and let you all know. Thanks for the information on this one.

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It is absolutely illegal, and the FCC and Coast Guard will nail you to the wall if they track you down.

Get an FRS or MURS radio which are services intended exactly for this kind of use.

[muskieswen]

Hans,

Thanks for the info. I have been doing some research since I posted this thread and have been finding out that you do indeed need a license for this application of use. Oh well, I will have to rely on Ma Bell. Now if I can just get the VC to deliver a bamboozler out to the reef we fish.

[Orlip]

Yes even it is a handheld you need a license if you use it on land. However I don't think getting a license is all that difficult and compared to the fine I personally would not risk it.

I have heard there was someone on Mille lacs with this set up and no license and got busted.