Opening up a ham rig for the marine band is probably not what Julie
wants since she's describing things like GPS and other digital modes
you're just not going to get on a radio designed for our usage.
Julie, if you're looking for HTs to be able to relay through a larger
radio for a boosted signal, Gary's right that what you're after may
not exist. But if you're just looking for the ability to communicate
on-ship above and below decks, there are marine HTs that'll do the
job when set to low power mode. You can even get them designed for
harsh environments.
I can't recommend the FRS/GMRS solution because outside the US, it
may not be (and in fact usually isn't) legal to operate on those
frequencies.
Off the rack ham gear isn't likely to do what you're after, but of
course with the right bit of tinkering you can certainly get whatever
you want, including a ship-board repeater or crossbanding into marine
frequencies, or anything else you could imagine. How to do all of
that is well beyond the scope of what you're asking for, though, and
I have no idea how you'd go about making it all legal—certainly the
communication would have to be non-commercial and everyone using the
HTs would need to be licensed somewhere or other.
Interfacing with cellular phones is another thing I'm not sure about.
There are commercial providers who set up roaming services in
stadiums and the like, and then block all other transmissions so that
you're forced to use their service. That's despicable IMO, but
apparently legal if the FCC says you can do it. There are also some
consumer devices that boost cellular signals in problem areas or even
provide a "personal cell tower" looking much like any other WiFi
router that connects to a cellular provider's network using an
internet connection.
Some marine radios can pair with bluetooth headsets. In fact, you're
more likely to find the feature on a marine radio than a ham radio.
Hope some of that is useful. Because I'm not a mariner, I cannot
give specific advice on radio equipment.
Joseph - KF7QZC
On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 05:12:06PM -0400, Gary Tillinghast wrote:
>Hi Julie,
>To find one radio to cover your wants might be impossible. You can take a
>regular 2m/70cm and have it opened to receive and transmit marine channels.
>As for the handhelds, it might be best for FRS or GMRS type of radios. The
>GPS functions would have to be a type that will receive a Satellite signal.
>May be others will have some ideas. 73. Gary KB2YAA
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "504 area" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:20 PM
>Subject: anyone have contact / info?
>
>
>Hello,
>
>I am hopeful to gain a contact regarding my need for a radio for my
>boat. Specifically I need a main radio VHF, UHF and basic operational
>functions. acess to marine and weather channels is obvious. I also
>need to handheld units which interface with the main unit below deck
>and with other radios. Waterproof... Interface with cellular phones
>is a plus! A need is for each handheld to be able to interface with
>one another (this may now be two radios or a walk and talk) as when on
>deck in moderate to high winds I am not able to see / hear the other
>individual on deck. Finally integration with satelite (GPS), AIS,
>radar/sonar would be added bonus. This is not a complete list but a
>start as we are replacing nav equipment.
>
>If anyone has information please contact me off list or on list - I
>thank all in advance.
>
>Respectfully,
>Julie
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