In closing to this update, ACR also has a very compact PLB now that runs about $360.00. It will be a little annoying to take a wall charger with me while travelling, but to have the electronics fail over the USB latch during some intense surf (hurricane was approaching) was exactly when I didn’t want my gear to fail. That is not the case for the HX40, which allows you to attach the strap directly to the radio body and then attach this to your PFD without all of the poking bulkiness. The belt clip had to be on the HX300 for the strap to attach also. The HX40 is just a better size overall for paddlers, and while I had really liked the USB port, especially for travelling, the HX300 radio is better for boating not for small craft where getting wet and immersion are constant. After giving Standard Horizon an email ultimatum, I suddenly got a Fedex tracking number with no other correspondence, and a few days later a brand new HX300 showed up in the mail. It was supposed to take 7-10 days for repair, but eventually it just sort of disappeared and no one picked up the phone or answered any more emails. As it was only two years old, off to the manufacturer it went. While the radio dried and I researched the HX40, I discovered my HX300 had a 3 year warranty. If you are reading this and in another country, please comment on who patrols your waters and how we reach them by VHF. I do not know the outcome of this episode, but it really taught me they are there and listening. The Coast Guard repeatedly called back, without success, for the location of the vessel and number of people on it. I opened my eyes a little wider just in case I saw anyone in distress, but I did not. Sure enough, I actually overheard the Coast Guard responding to a vessel in distress. I tested it with my club radios then had it turned on to see if I got any Coast Guard chatter in Long Island Sound. Just turn it on, hit the button for channel 16 and call for “Mayday” if you’re in trouble. Since I connect the radio to my PFD, I think that’s enough flotation for it. I bought the optional floating case online, but it proved to be really bulky. The HX40 is much smaller due to the fact the built-in flotation of the HX300 has been removed. Since I won’t paddle without a radio, I headed to West Marine and bought the new, compact HX40. I removed the battery and tried drying everything in a closed container with Superdry calcium chloride desiccant, but the electronics only partially came back to life. I got back from a surf session and found the port stuck open, and the light that comes on in the unit when it gets wet was on and blinking. I had really liked the USB charging port, but this summer the latch over the port started opening. Due to the failure of my HX300, I am updating this entry.