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Everyone needs a North Star - Installing the compass

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 Which did he George? Which way did he go? With todays technology its easy to forget about the basics, but a Compass is a must have. When you get knocked down, run out of batteries, or drop that smartphone in the drink the trusty Compass will get you home -- or onto the next adventure! This one was an easy install with the exception of the teenie-tiny 24 gauge wires to provide a little backlight for sailing at dusk...trust me this comes in handy! As usual, being in Central Alabama I don't have access to the local chandelier so I go to trust old Amazon.  I went with this Compass , its hard to complain about the price and the functionality. Cheers
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Communication is Key - my new VHF!

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Communication on the water is critical for a number of reasons -  It's needed for distress signals in an emergency situation - Pan Pan Pan and Mayday Mayday Mayday. Its needed for standard communication with members of your party, to coordinate times and sail plans. Why wouldn't you just send a text? Out on the water your signal disappears just like the land on the horizon. Today we install a critical part for SV Between the Sheets the Very High Frequency radio, VHF. And not just any radio, the Standard Horizon . This is not the most expensive model on the market of course, but it packs a punch for the value it offers.  It has 25W of broadcasting power! A long, coiled handset for ease of use from the cockpit A large digital display A emergency distress button and a channel 16 / 9 button Speed Over Ground (SOG) readouts And my favorite...Automated Identification System AIS!!  With built in AIS I can see on my digital screen all boats around me with tons of pertinent information
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