Rafferty.Rules

Should be a key number written down in the book/manual when you bought the boat / motor. Ring the Merc dealer and quote the number and they'll get it in for you. Not that it helps you now but I always cable tie a spare under the dash.

oh well...... BTW the cable was $37. If I could figure out how to make my pic small enough to post I'd show you the before after. I also found out that you have to have a MROCP to get a MMSI number. Anyone know where I can do the course around the Central Coast? Doesn't seem like the MR I am a member of nearby runs it. The on line test looks like a hassle with invigilator bookings etc etc........

Hi - (the dealer approach to comms seems to be a standard) So....was it the rewind starter as Huey suspected???? ....any other forensics / cause offered by dealer?

...I dont seem to have permission to do the survey = error message so a comment instead. A radio is mandatory for off shore/ safety. The trend seems to be toward VHF with 27Meg in decline. VHF requires a license and 27Meg does not. New off shore boats are sold with VHF as standard. However, the real usefulness and intention of the VHF is to stay in contact with an organisation to monitor position and respond to emergencies. These mostly seem voluntary and are funded by 'membership fees'. There is also a need for regulation to prevent misuse as others have mentioned. It would therefore seem sensible to have the licensing associated with membership to a 'marine rescue' organisation. This is not too disimilar to the HF Land Mobile scenario where the HF radio in the 4WD is 'licensed' (registered) to a user (nominal fee about $40 with ACA) for use through and with licence holders eg the Royal Flying Doctor and previously Pentacomstat. So, since it seems most VHFers do not have licences / quals, the way tp regulate and licence would be to register the radio with ACA for a nominal fee, recive a call sign, and this would entitle use with and through a licencsed marine rescue organisation who are qualified operators and also regulate use according to ACA rules etc. There could also be the option for full licencing for commercial operators etc as already exisits. I think it would be Sea mobile and land fixed base arrangement. Food for thought Regards

I think it is called a 'bathoscope' . Its what us old fellas used before all the electronic gadgetry. Have you considered an underwater CCT camera arrangement? Very cheap these days and you can even have bait cam or lure cam........ The pipe will work but silcone doesn't stick to PVC - maybe a polyurethane would be better - just a thought Seee ya

I'm not familiar with Budgewoi (I'm down the southern end of the coast - Putty is my area but some general rules of thumb might help you. Look for the gully, gutter (darker water) and try to cast into that. Ideally you want a nice rough surf with lots of water churning around. Go at feed times (although I do ok otherwise) and if there are rocks go near to the drop and on a run out tide. If you want the line to stay tight - hold bottom (and on a rough day you will use a star sinker (weight depends) and go the paternoster rig. Its a good idea to learn how to do knots and dropper loops etc and take a range of pre made leaders with you. About 1200mm is good with your dropper half way as a start. Three gang No4 hook is good with a pilchard - teach yourself how to put the pillie on properly (last hook through the eye). I've caught a range of fish from port jackson sharks, gunny sharks, tailor, salmon, the odd stray snapper etc. Then again I've had days where the guy 20m down the beach is reeling them in and I cant get a bite. Having said all that you rally need to target a species say tailor, salmon etc and rig for that and pick the right time of year and day (moon, tide, feeding etc). You might even have some luck with a 30g or 70g twister if you want to try a lure. As a beginner its ok to go to where other fisherman are (locals) and ask for tips etc (but dont set up right beside them!). (and read the advice of all the experts on this forum - there seem to be some good fisherman) Be patient.....dont despair, I am now transitioning from beach and bay tinny fishing to mild off shore fishing and can say that after $50k for a boat and $$$$ in lures and sounders and fuel I've still caught diddly squat since February. One day I will get a Kingfish at Killcare wide (......so I know how you feel).

That's terrible mate! Absolutely terrible. Lucky it will be under warranty. Be interested to hear what went wrong / wasn't tight. Good you got back ok too - thats probably the main thing........

Well done!! That's a once in a blue moon catch!! - I'm envious.......... Thank goodness for RDO's!!!!!!!

Thanks mate (and everyone) just what I needed - a part number! (BTW got the GME with DSC and did the new install today - all good and Port Jackson coming in loud and clear. Just the logger connection to go).

...one more question..... Where do you get the NMEA 0183 connecting cable? I didnt get one with my Elite5 and the VHF's dont seem to include it either.

Ha ha ha !!- yeah I thought of that but where I want to put it is only 100mm deep so the spacer would be a box section! Thats why the GME was good - not very deep. I think the DSC seems to be the go. I can offset the cost of a new one of course. Thanks for your responses everyone. Much appreciated.

Thanks Rod. That is great information from someone who obviously knows. No not too technical - look forward to reading the links provided. Thanks heaps!

Hi - yeah that makes sense. Thanks for the response.

I've put this in the boating section since it is sort of boat accessory related Anyway, I'd be interested to hear opinions on whether or not you think DSC and NMEA0183 / emergency push button is really necessary on a VHF radio. By way of story (if you're interested) the scenario is that the Lowrance LVR250 supplied with my new Ocean Runner (no don't start me on the dealer and other probs!!!), whilst having all the bells and whistles including DSC etc, is mounted in a stupid place. It is low down on the starboard panel beside the drivers feet below the seat so you cant hear it (despite the speaker in the PTT) and you cant see the channel unless you limbo down and squint (so the remote channel change in the PTT is pointless). It is also necessary to stop driving whilst performing any quick log in update with Marine Rescue or flick to the nominated weather channel (if you happen to hear it) since the passenger can to get to the radio either. It also gets wet when you hose the boat out because it is so close to the floor. Sorry if I sound picky but it is the simple things that annoy..geezuz...... Anyway, I decided that I would address the problem by moving the radio to the panel up high on the port side (past boats I've put it here). You can see it, hear it and passenger can look after it whilst driver drives. So after pulling it out (and discovering a wonderful jerry rigged installation method by Stacer) and held it in several proposed locations it turns out the thing is to long (depth = 170mm plus coax connector = about 200mm) to put anywhere sensible (hence the reason they chose to put it in a dumb place. The solution is that a GME VHF has a depth of just 77mm and less when flush mounted. But here's the sting - for me at least. The GME600 does not have DSC, emergency call, NMEA chartplotter connectivity etc and is about $250. The GME600D has all the bell and whistles of the present Lowrance but is about $370. So, I also discovered that the emergency button that sends your position on Chnnel 70 isnt used by Marine Rescue in Australia anyway. Only big commercials use it. So I'm thinking that to save $100 I might forgot the DSC stuff - what do you reckon? Interested in your thoughts.............new VHF purchase imminent.......