Looking to purchase marine grade vhf radio. I woild like some advise, are the handheld units good if u are only short distance from land. I have been looking at cb style and do not know if I should buy one with internal antena or go with external. This is first purchase of this kind so any help would be appreciated.
vhf radio advise
- Thread starter lee kent
- Start date
Dick Sargeant
Well-known member
Hi Lee - VHF radio range is based upon line of sight from the top of the antenna, either handheld with internal antenna or a mounted unit with separate antenna. The difference could be significant in an emergency. Also, if you have a marine battery in your boat, it can be more powerful and reliable than the battery power in a handheld radio. That said, If you do not have a marine battery aboard, a handheld unit is preferable to no VHF.
Sometimes in smaller boats a large 6 foot VHF antenna can get in the way and needs to be laid over when not being used. One solution to this is to mount a smaller sailboat VHF antenna which is only about 3 feet and is a metal whip as opposed to a big fiberglass antenna. I did this on a carolina skiff CC that I used close to shore and put the whip standing up from the console........mostly out of the way of casting etc. Range may not have been as good as a big one but I suspect it was much better than a handheld.
My 2 cents -
sarge
Oh...... I am sending you a PM on another subject
Sometimes in smaller boats a large 6 foot VHF antenna can get in the way and needs to be laid over when not being used. One solution to this is to mount a smaller sailboat VHF antenna which is only about 3 feet and is a metal whip as opposed to a big fiberglass antenna. I did this on a carolina skiff CC that I used close to shore and put the whip standing up from the console........mostly out of the way of casting etc. Range may not have been as good as a big one but I suspect it was much better than a handheld.
My 2 cents -
sarge
Oh...... I am sending you a PM on another subject
What you need realy depends on where you are going to be.
If sticking to inshore around the bays on the coast, then a handheld will be fine. Given our flat terrain, the constant traffic on the ICW and other boat traffic, odds are someone is going to be in range. Plus you get the weather.
If venturing offshore or into more remote areas, or if its on a larger boat like a center console, get a standard unit with a full antenna. Like noted above, VHF is line of site. Even with a 6' antenna, on a small boat (16-20' CC) you will probably only get 12 miles range at full power. The big Charter boats and tugs get longer range because their antenna are mounted very high and they use huge whips.
Some will disagree with this, but given cell phone coverage and technology today, if the areas you hunt are all in cell coverage (mine area), IMO you are almost better off with a cell phone than a handheld VHF these days. A small cell phone in a waterproof ziplock is a lot easier to keep on you at all times vs a bulky waterproof handheld. And if you have a blackberry/smart phone, you have instant access to weather radar, real time observations/bouy reports, etc.. And,if you are on inland waters like some of our big lakes (Seminole for example), very few, if anyone will be monitoring VHF.
If sticking to inshore around the bays on the coast, then a handheld will be fine. Given our flat terrain, the constant traffic on the ICW and other boat traffic, odds are someone is going to be in range. Plus you get the weather.
If venturing offshore or into more remote areas, or if its on a larger boat like a center console, get a standard unit with a full antenna. Like noted above, VHF is line of site. Even with a 6' antenna, on a small boat (16-20' CC) you will probably only get 12 miles range at full power. The big Charter boats and tugs get longer range because their antenna are mounted very high and they use huge whips.
Some will disagree with this, but given cell phone coverage and technology today, if the areas you hunt are all in cell coverage (mine area), IMO you are almost better off with a cell phone than a handheld VHF these days. A small cell phone in a waterproof ziplock is a lot easier to keep on you at all times vs a bulky waterproof handheld. And if you have a blackberry/smart phone, you have instant access to weather radar, real time observations/bouy reports, etc.. And,if you are on inland waters like some of our big lakes (Seminole for example), very few, if anyone will be monitoring VHF.
charles reina
Member
I agree with Carl, based on the waters he described, if you had to choose just one go with the cell phone, just don't forget the plastic zip lock bag. When out in the bay, I use both. My hand held gets great reception (Sandy Hook, NJ) and keeps me connected. I feel better having the Coast Guard with me as well as being able to easily reach Sea Tow.
I agree that a cell phone gives you a large safety margin in many areas (mine included).
However, if I was in the water (or soon to be), I'd want access to a submersible handheld to communicate directly with the USCG. One of the new tiny ICOM floaters would be ideal to have in your jacket/vest at all times.
The Coast Guard would prefer you use a VHF in an emergency as they can get a fix on your position via their radio direction finder thingee, calling on your C phone won't do that, plus you may contact other mariners (on VHF) that might be in a position to get to you quicker then the CG.
Even if calling 911 on your cell, most jurisdictions won't have non- land GPS locations programmed into their equipment and won't know how to find you without huge delays.
So... have both.
Even if calling 911 on your cell, most jurisdictions won't have non- land GPS locations programmed into their equipment and won't know how to find you without huge delays.
So... have both.
John L
Well-known member
I use an Icom IC-M34 all day every day. It's water proof and floats. I put it on the charger at the end of the day and use it all day, every day for 10 hours straight with out the battery running down. It has good range for a hand held but as mentioned before, range is dependant on several factors for your area and needs. That being said I find it to be a good radio and it can be purchased for under $150.
