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This U.S. Coast Guard approved 2-Way Radio Life Vest features dual, 14-channel two-way radios that are integrated into the chest area of the life vest, with another unit located on a boat or on shore for instant communication purposes no matter the situation.
(Click read more below to read the article referred to.)
(PopWireless: This radio escaped the radar of this magazine since the advertisement makes no mention whatsoever of the radio service in which these devices operate. We suspect this an FRS radio being sold to the public as a save-your-life radio.
At the magazine we have a problem with this device. There is no emergency frequency in the Family Radio Service that we know of but we suspect this is indeed a Family Radio Service radio. The Family Radio Service is now cluttered with levels of radio interference so high in some urban, park, and recreational areas that controlling that interference in order to monitor and find a person gone over board would probably result in tragic circumstances. It is absolutely bizarre that any clear-thinking company or the Coast Guard would would suggest this radio is good for, “instant communication purposes no matter the situation.” A tragic suggestion.
The maritime enthusiast should always have a marine VHF radio on board to signal the Coast Guard in an emergency. We suspect that the Coast Guard’s radio-direction finding resources are focused in the marine VHF service. We do not know for sure how they would respond to a person missing wearing an FRS radio. The person gone over board would be far more likely to attract attention if they broadcast for help on Marine Channel 16 than if they broadcast on a Family Radio Service channel. This radio is all about marine rescue on the cheap. We feel differently about the value of your life.
Where we see this vest having some utility is for skier to boat communication. Any situation where you can see and wave to someone wearing this vest is a great place to use a radio to also hear them. “We’re coming around to pick you up, or Are you OK after that wipe out,” are likely scenarios. In each case you can get immediately back to the swimmer. What an FRS radio is not is a radio to make up for lack of planning or to use in lieu of common sense an acceptable practice or out of visual range!
Explore the use of this vest but be careful how you choose to use it. We would also love to know why the advertisers of this life-saving device failed to disclosed the frequencies on which the device operated. Odd indeed.)
SALE: Reg.
$169
