My bias is towards conventional Marine VHF:
Most boats are equipped for this. I can think of many times when this has resulted in sending or receiving useful information, such as fog conditions. Also, the Portland CG has "scheduled marine broadcasts" a couple of times a day on Ch22A. These often have items of interest, such as dredging restrictions, or area closures. The CG also broadcasts requests for assistance, or special problems such as when a Coot boat was found adrift in the river. Remember that Ch 13 allows any boat communication with the bridge of the big boats. I have used this in the past to increase safety in tight areas. Channels 68, 69, 71 and others still can be used for "chatting," although this should be started from Ch16. And, of course, the big advantage of VHF marine is the emergency calling, which due to the CG radio locations, covers everywhere. The marine handhelds these days are often 5Watts and immersion proof, and these are desirable qualities. They have provision for lower power that can be helpful for saving battery life.

The GMRS is a higher power version of FRS, and range should be quite a bit better. Both GMRS and FRS are UHF services, and the range is not going to be anything like the 30 miles advertised (for "perfect" conditions). Do not expect that two boats will be able to talk if they are several miles apart and separated by a bend in the river. If you do go with GMRS, get a fancy one like Andrew's link that has higher power (they don't seem to anywhere spec the power) and also that has NOAA weather reception.

Let's hear more thoughts!
Bob

That Cobra radio should fit the need. Having the GMRS as well is useful. Sea Kayaker Magazine recently reviewed several submersible radios, including the Cobra. http://www.seakayakermag.com/2009/Feb09/handheld.htm They offered no reason to not buy the Cobra, as I read it.

I would be curious to hear more about the problems with the Uniden. If it is dead, I would be happy to take a look at it for you, to see if it might be easily fixable. Drag it around and I could get it next time we cross paths. Depoe maybe? Or maybe you hate it so much you want it dead!

Bob

I would probably have to lean towards the traditional Marine VHF in the Lower Columbia. Some of the reasons in no particular order, the County River Patrol folks, the Coast Guard, a good many of the recreational boaters and most importantly the commercial traffic do as well. It is important to remember that a commercial 600' boat cannot see you anywhere within a half mile or more from the bow of their ship. They are also navigating in a very narrow dredged channel and must maintain speed to have any maneuverbility at all. It is very usefull to communicate with them and let them know what your intentions are, passing port to port or whatever.

While it is all good for folks to have cell phones, GMRS and the like I believe it is real important to have a continual 'watch' on marine VHF emergency channels. The pod idea is superb, perhaps if some do not have boats at the larger end of the trailerable class (ie mobile marine VHF with antennas at the top of the mast vs handheld) they could maintain the 'watch' and have the longer range communications. The reason for the watch is if something does go amiss it can be long over by the time everyone checks into the 'net' on the hour, unfortuately sometimes with tragic results.

My eventual goal on my little piece of plastic is to have marine VHF, Amateur radio 2m/70cm (yup, I'm one of those), both with mast mounted antennas, and Amateur HF with a stern rail mounted vertical antenna.

Anyway, that's my two pieces of copper worth.

Bob, Thanks for the howdy. I should know soon if I get get the time off work. I have wanted to sail the river for many years, would be great to do it with a group, and another Ham would make it all the better. Again, thanks for the QSO. 73 de K7KIT.

Les

I have a new fixed marine vhf and a backup Cobra hand held. Do we have an idea what ch. will monitor? The Honda 15 has an alternator so I'll leave mine on full time. If need be, I can loan my Cobra to another boat for the trip.

Jetman<<<