VHF USE Expands

Submitted by wbross1 on Mon, 04/04/2005 - 17:25
At the Spring meeting of US SAILING this past weekend, VHF radio use was discussed at the meeting of the Womans National Championship Committee (Adams Cup). It was unanimously approved that they be allowed for OCS calls. Shortly after that meeting the Men's Championship (Mallory) Committee met and the VHF was again unanimously approved. Bill Ross, FS/5210, President FSSA
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Comments

Bill (and all Scot racers) Having experienced the use of VJF

Submitted by bobnew on Tue, 04/05/2005 - 15:09.
Bill (and all Scot racers) Having experienced the use of VJF radios in the large fleet at Mid-winters, I am NOT looking foreard to sailing in large fleets without the benefit of OCS calls that are timely and fair to all competetitors. I would urge you to pursue any possible efforts that might result in using VHF's at the NAC. Bob New FS 5143 Merritt Island Florida Fleet Captain Fleet 179

What is the likelihood that VHF radios will be used for OCS call

Submitted by Claus on Thu, 04/07/2005 - 11:58.
What is the likelihood that VHF radios will be used for OCS calls at the 2005 Wife Husband Regatta?

Claus FS5074 Ames, IA

From what I heard and believe, the use of VHF radio is not yet s

Submitted by FS5516 on Thu, 04/07/2005 - 18:44.
From what I heard and believe, the use of VHF radio is not yet sanctioned by the FSSA. This issue is to be voted at the annual meeting at the NAC in Houston in July. Until that time, VHS are not part of a FSSA sanctioned event. Bill, is this correct[?] So base on this Claus, it looks like that the Wife/Husband will not have VHS unless I'm wrong[:0]. By the way, you are not required to have a VHS. It's optional. [;)] After racing the Midwinters, I am in favor of the VHS as I had OCS call and had to restart! [:I] Better to find out early than after racing the whole course and then find out you were OCS[:(!] Mark FS 5516 Grey Hare

VHF's are disallowed for sanctioned and/or national events until

Submitted by fssaeditor on Fri, 04/08/2005 - 23:17.
VHF's are disallowed for sanctioned and/or national events until the membership votes. VHF's may be used at other events at the discretion of the race committee. See additional comments under the "Sticky topic" - Should VHF's be allowed for Racing" in this forum section. FSSA Forum editor

Hindsight being 20/20, it seems that Bill Ross and the commitee

Submitted by FS5257 on Sun, 04/10/2005 - 11:22.
Hindsight being 20/20, it seems that Bill Ross and the commitee that wisely allowed VHF's at the Mid-Winter's was dead on. My only request is that nay-sayers express their concern's now, so they can be effectively addressed and not save them for two days before the NAC's. P.S. I am still very pleased with my decision to trade in my horse and buggy for that fancy automobile.

I think the attitude related to the horse and buggy is not reall

Submitted by elmills on Mon, 04/11/2005 - 12:12.
I think the attitude related to the horse and buggy is not really the question. Most regular sailors could make a list of 10 things that would make the Flying Scot faster or safer if we choose to use the technology. Things like more advanced sail material, updated halyard system, etc. The real question is related to whether the change will have a positive or negative impact on the entire class. One tremendous advantage for this class is that you can buy a boat built in 1960 and with some elbow grease and a decent set of sails be pretty competitive. The added cost of the VHF isn’t that much money and it doesn’t have a negative impact of the cruising/day sailing of the boat which should be the real measure of any new ideas. Plus, as a bonus it could even improve safety!