Hand-held VHF question

[Patti Puzo]

Mark and I will be heading down in May, and my brother and sister-in-law arrive a day later. We were wondering if the newer VHF hand-helds will work from Marsh Harbour to Guana? If so, any reccomendations?

Also, is there a ferry between Guana and Green Turtle?

Thanks once again,
Patti P.

[SamFamAustin]

Patti,

I was thinking GPS and you meant VHF - hey so what are a few letters between friends? All should work great. /Sam

[Patti Puzo]

Thanks Sam, hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season.
When are you going to visit the islands next?

[sandy shaw]

I'd say, with some confidence, that a hand-held VHF transmission from Marsh Harbour will not be heard in Guana. There are various technical reasons this might be the case, such as low transmission power (5W) compared to 25W for a fixed set, antenna height, etc. It makes no difference whether the set is an older model or brand-new. I am in line-of-sight with GGC and neither one of my hand-helds (an Icom and a Standard Horizon) will reach the seven, or so miles distance. Hope this helps.

[SamFamAustin]

Sandy is right ... some days you can get up high and hear stuff all over and other days it is limited. Transmitting messages is the issue, I think, due to wattage. Anything over 5 to 10 miles would be rather dubious without a real 25-watt marine radio and a fixed antenna. Most all handhelds are 5-watt. /s/

[haziewaller]

no ferry between GGC & GTC. It's possible, but complicated. You might find a local to take you.

[Patti Puzo]

Thanks everyone..... the information is appreciated!

[Abacoparrott]

Mark and I will be heading down in May, and my brother and sister-in-law arrive a day later. We were wondering if the newer VHF hand-helds will work from Marsh Harbour to Guana? If so, any reccomendations?

Also, is there a ferry between Guana and Green Turtle?

Thanks once again,

Patti P.

Patti, Although there is no official ferry between these two Cays, you might contact Ossie Hall aboard Prozac. It has been a while since I've been down to de islands but I used to use Ossie. Perhaps someone else on the forum can confirm that Ossie is still in operation. He was based in Treasure Cay. Nice boat........Ken

[SamFamAustin]

I might be way off base, but my folks have liked Albury's Ferry and if you arrange things ahead of time they will consider special excursions, which are not normally scheduled trips. They have helped my folks many a time, such as with missed luggage! /Sammie

http://oii.net/alburysferry/

[yellowpages]

I might be way off base, but my folks have liked Albury's Ferry and if you arrange things ahead of time they will consider special excursions, which are not normally scheduled trips. They have helped my folks many a time, such as with missed luggage! /Sammie

http://oii.net/alburysferry/

All my years haven't heard of Albury making a run to GTC. But I've been wrong before ( I think it was 1973, or was it '85:p ).

[yellowpages]

Patti, Although there is no official ferry between these two Cays, you might contact Ossie Hall aboard Prozac. It has been a while since I've been down to de islands but I used to use Ossie. Perhaps someone else on the forum can confirm that Ossie is still in operation. He was based in Treasure Cay. Nice boat........Ken

His Sunday run from TC (One could catch the 11Am GTC to TC ferry to make that) to Guana is still advertised (12Noon over-4:45PM back ... but as pointed out the Abaconian is pretty far behind in updating their lists. Don't know if he would stop at GTC on the way back as there doesn't seem to be a TC-GTC ferry after 4:30PM.

[yellowpages]

I'd say, with some confidence, that a hand-held VHF transmission from Marsh Harbour will not be heard in Guana. There are various technical reasons this might be the case, such as low transmission power (5W) compared to 25W for a fixed set, antenna height, etc. It makes no difference whether the set is an older model or brand-new. I am in line-of-sight with GGC and neither one of my hand-helds (an Icom and a Standard Horizon) will reach the seven, or so miles distance. Hope this helps.

Have talked to Marsh area quite a few times on the handheld sitting at Nippers. Depends on the day I guess.

[Abacoparrott]

Try Ossie at 242-365-8749 or pager 242-340-6832

Hope this works for you.......Ken

[Patti Puzo]

Thanks Ken, and everyone... it may be a none-issue... because we may have a boat. Since this is the first time we are staying on Guana, I just wanted to check our options. To tell you the truth... just hanging out on Guana sounds wonderful. We have done lots of other cay hopping on past trips.
Now, if we can just get through our roughest winter in history here....(I can't remember what grass looks like)... I will be fine! Already started the list for our May trip! Keeps my head in the game.
Sorry we will miss May with ya'all once again...
Patti Puzo

[SamFamAustin]

Patti,

I just read that now there is so much snow in the western passes of Colorado that HUGE avalanches are occuring along the interstate highways. You be careful out there, Patti. Folks, these guys and gals have had three major snowstorms in a matter of as many weeks - let's send them some more Abaco. :)

Anybody over there with a digital, y'all? Cheers,
-Sammie

[Patti Puzo]

Thanks Sam, you are such a sweetie. Berthoud Pass, for anyone that has never travelled that way, is on the eastern (Denver) side of the divide of the Rockies. It is the main road in the winter to Winter Park Ski area, and the towns of Frazier, Granby and Grand Lake. That is the way to my father-in-law's house too. Luckily, he is down here. Berthoud pass looks like the side of a huge, multi-tiered wedding cake. When you are travelling on it, you can see cars on the tier above you, and below you, cutting back and forth. I can't imagine how many cars must have gotten swept up this time of year. Very weird weather for us. Hopefully, everyone will be dug out quickly!
Patti P.

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

It's obvious to me that you folks in the Rockies are NOT doing your part to strengthen Algore's proof positive of global warming!!!

[Sandalman]

We are proving it in the Northeast however.It was low 60's here Friday and Saturday in Mass.We have not lit the wood stove yet this season.This is a very warm and strange winter up here so far,with the warmest November and December on record.Sorry Patti,we hope things improve quickly for all of you.
Have you got Java hooked up to a sled yet?

[sandy shaw]

Is there just a small chance this thread has become slightly unraveled???
He, he, he....

[Patti Puzo]

I am becoming slightly unraveled!!! But, I love this board! Also, Sandalman, if we could find the sled, we would hook him up....(under all the snow)...
Patti Puzo