 |
|
|
| Questions About Single-Side-Band Radio and Cell Phone Coverage While Cruising the Inside Passage
|
|
We received this e-mail from Cameron Strong. Author Bob Hale, currently on his annual research cruise for the Waggoner, replied to us by cell phone from the Gulf Islands.
|
|
|
June 13, 2000
|
|
|
|
M
y wife and I are planning to take our 35' Bayliner aftcabin, "Irish Ayes" from Seattle to Ketchikan this summer during August & September. This
will be our first time cruising the Inside Passage, and we would greatly appreciate some advice from someone who is experienced in cruising the Inside Passage.
1. Will a "VHF radio" be adequate for communications & weather reporting on our boat throughout the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, or do we need to purchase a "single side band radio" (I understand they are expensive).
2. Will we be able to use our cell phone through out this cruise, or are there areas where cell service is not available?
I appreciate your taking the time to respond to these questions.
--Cameron Strong
|
|
|
Response
|
|
|
|
In answer to your first question regarding single sideband radio:
Bob says a VHF radio alone will serve you just fine. If you do decide to purchase an SSB, the big advantage is the "net" that's running among the ham radio operators out there -- you can get different information than you can get on a VHF, i.e. weather, gossip, etc. Also with the SSB radio you can communicate differently to people back home, for instance, multiple people can be on the radio at the same time. Bob has never had an SSB and has never felt the need for one while cruising.
In answer to your second question about cell phones:
Bob reports there is pretty good cell coverage in B.C. waters up to Desolation Sound. After Desolation Sound, coverage is spotty to non-existent until Queen Charlotte Sound, in the vicinity of Port McNeill. There is good coverage in Port McNeill.
Then, from outside the vicinity of Port McNeill up to a few miles out of Prince Rupert, there is no coverage. Bob says that he had cell coverage at Porcher Island, at the south end of Chatham Sound, on the approach to Prince Rupert. There is coverage in Prince Rupert and local area. Beyond Prince Rupert, Bob has no knowledge.
Cameron, Bob urges you to carry ALL the charts. He knows it is expensive, but you need them. He emphasized it several times, and wanted to make sure I passed it on to you.
--Sheri Berkman, Waggoner Production Manager
Responding for Bob Hale
|
|
|
Back to Readers Write In |
|
|
|
