For self study you can use sources from the Internet or buy a book. A book can be purchased locally at Gigaparts, at 1425B Paramount drive. The cost of the book is around 20 to 30 dollars. The Huntsville IC-4088SR Club holds classes for formal study from time to time. For information on future classes monitor this site or contact some one at the club.
Hybrid FRS/GMRS consumer radios have been introduced that have 22 channels. Many of these radios have been certified for unlicensed operation (on the 14 FRS frequencies, channels 1-14) under FRS rules.
If they are rechargeable, then make sure they have a full charge. If they are disposable, make sure you replace the Marine VHF unit with fresh batteries (as well as stocking your boat with a plethora of backups). Next, turn the icom marine radio on and test out that it is properly functioning to ensure that you can make a SOS call if need be. You cannot be too careful with the above mentioned steps. Many times in our excitement for all of the fun we are going to encounter we tend to overlook the necessary precautions. Please prepare a safety checklist and make sure every item on the list is taken care of before your first trip out of the season.
Improve your paddling skills. Every time you go out paddling, try practicing a particular stroke that you find difficult. Practice the sweeps and draws, as well as the braces, each and every paddle. Get more instruction, if necessary, to learn more strokes, and just to have someone watch and help you with the movements you need to perform the stroke efficiently. A good way to improve your paddling skills is to join a group of river kayakers and play around in the smaller, more responsive boat. You have to use your core body strength and motion more in a river kayak which helps develop the habit of body to do it in a sea kayak.
Audio for the game is very good with a realistic quality you would expect in a Tom Clancy title using both icom communications and sound effects you hear from your plane. The overall experience is a quite believable flight even though some of the realism is lost to the use of such an abundant ammo supply and the slightly over the top maneuvers some of the planes can perform.
The international channels are transmitted on international bands. The bands are known as Short waves. AM and FM frequencies have a very narrow span of control as they could not travel for long distances from the station where the channel is broadcasted. Though it depends on how much powerful your antenna is to catch the frequencies.
Are there too many radio networks? NO! Each one is a new step forward. Just like digital communications modes they each have a purpose and have built followers and equipment infastructure. There is room for plenty more!
