[Elecraft] K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

[Eugene Balinski]

All,
  
   IMHO, no amateur series transceiver should ever be used
as a safety-of-life marine transceiver.  Only marine style
radios should be used for same.  

    The main reason is the highly corrosive environment in
which the radio lives. Most amateur radio sets are not
sealed in the same way that a true marine radio is.
  Continued exposure to salt air/moisture can rapidly
corrode a radio leaving it useless when it is most needed. 

   Other items in favor of a pure marine transceiver are
the built-it ITU channelization, and single button distress
system - Digital Selective Calling (DSC).   DSC has the
ability to be connected to the ship's GPS and to
auto-broadcast the ships name and position with the push of
a single button. Depending upon the system, the DSC may be
able to broadcast the type of emergency as well.    

   Lastly, many of the marine HF radios can be "opened" to
allow operation on the ham bands allowing check in on the
Maritime Mobile Net and others. 

    Once again IMHO.   YMMV
73

Gene K1NR


 along with the marine channelization and 
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