handheld vs fixed mount VHF

[matt167]

My little 14' SC Holiday does not have a VHF, and it's the last piece of safety gear to make it fully equipped, beyond the required stuff.. I have enough dash space where I can mount one in the dash w/ flush mount, but there is no space for a hanging bracket, and then an 8' whip on a 14' tinny is kind of a big antennae, but it's 25W transmit.
Handheld, nice and portable but an expensive one transmit's 5w

I'm not going out on any really big lakes, and land will always be visible from both sides, but still ride on the edge of caution

 

[alldodge]

Fixed with 36 inch antenna
https://www.iboats.com/shop/shakesp...whip-low-profile-end-fed-stainless-steel.html

 

[dingbat]

I'm a hug fan of taller is better, but not required for shorter distances.

This will get you everything you need.

3 ft VHF Marine Antenna - 3dB Gain

Digital Antenna's 3' VHF antenna offers an efficient 3dB gain for dependable communication on T-tops, speedboats and sailboats. Simple push and twist quick-disconnect antenna mast allows for easy storage when fishing or using a boat cover.

www.digitalantenna.com

 

[paulswagelock]

Handheld at 5w is good for about 5 miles on flat terrain. Use that to judge what you need.

 

[mike_i]

What's the maximum distance you would need to communicate to someone to call for help?

 

[Sea Rider]

What's the maximum distance you would need to communicate to someone to call for help?

The maximun distance range will depend entirely on how powerful is the transmitter and the receiver for straight line long diistance top communications. The farthest the better....

Happy Boating​

 

[matt167]

Well, Seneca lake where I'll likely be most of the time, is ~38 miles long, 2 miles wide and then this boat is small and nimble enough to make it to the river as well. Who knows where anyone will be. 1.21 Gigawatts of power might be needed for all I know, But I could end up in 1955 all the same.

I was disappointed that I looked under my dash and found the steering cable ( cable/ drum steering ) will prevent me from putting a radio in the dash. I think my only option is to build a bracket to hold it from below the dash

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Handheld for my 14‘ tinny. Plenty of radio for popular waterways.
Maybe things have changed, but I used to boat in the Finger Lakes 20 years ago. Had an installed VHF marine radio, 8’ antenna and NEVER heard a radio call. Not one time!
I decided to add a CB radio in case of emergency. On that radio it was easy to find some chatter. Never needed it for important stuff but it came in handy a few times to find a hot fishing spot.

 

[matt167]

Way back when my dad had first got his '73 Chieftan 21' in 1996ish, the engine quit while trolling on Cayuga somewhere on the southern end of the lake.. That day we had to make the radio call on 16. Lucky another boat gave us a tow instead of the coast guard. Next trip out it had an old Johnson 5.5HP hanging on a bracket, and later a 5hp Honda.

I will have a 4hp Evinrude as a kicker/ backup and a 30# Minn Kota as an OH SH#$@ motor.. But still

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have a hand held that now is used for the ditch bag. The problem I had in the north woods was I was the only one around for miles with a VHF until the warden came by. Most boaters only had cell phones. YMMV

 

[The John]

unless your on a large body of water, not many will have their radios on. here in the PNW, most use VHF on the ocean, but not on lakes/rivers (except the Columbia River which is very tidal and has lots of commercial traffic).

 

[matt167]

I ended up getting a Uniden 385 and a 3' antenne with a ratchet mount.. Both lakes have USCG stations, so they at least will monitor it.

I'm really curious as to why people put marine VHF's in vehicles.. When I was browsing used, I found a few that were said to be removed from trucks. And at work, a truck came in for service, and under the dash was a Uniden 380... I'm not too far from the Hudson river, but as it is the lakes are a 3 hour trip ( weekend trip )

 

[alldodge]

The VHF gets out much farther then CB and its clear. Last time I checked (few years ago) it was still illegal to put one in a vehicle, but as many things, its only if you get caught.

 

[dingbat]

I'm really curious as to why people put marine VHF's in vehicles..

Cell coverage can be spotty on the water to say the least. VHF always works and is alway monitored

Most commercials guys I know have one in their truck as absure fire way of keeping in touch with people “at the office” if needed and to stay abreast of conditions (marine forecast) out on the water.

 

[matt167]

I wonder if some fire/ EMS is VHF? This truck I worked on did have firefighter gear in it
I'm at least 35 miles from any nautical transmission. Would it be safe to test at my house to make sure transmit does not trip the circuit breaker?

To cut down on wiring on this tiny boat, I ran a leg off of the bilge pump 15A circuit breaker, so both of my safety systems are independent of the main cutoff switch, not that the switch would ever be off while on the water

 

[dingbat]

I wonder if some fire/ EMS is VHF? This truck I worked on did have firefighter gear in it
I'm at least 35 miles from any nautical transmission. Would it be safe to test at my house to make sure transmit does not trip the circuit breaker?

To cut down on wiring on this tiny boat, I ran a leg off of the bilge pump 15A circuit breaker, so both of my safety systems are independent of the main cutoff switch, not that the switch would ever be off while on the water

Better not key the mike....The government’s VHF surveillance satellites will pinpoint your location and relay the information to the FCC for prosecution....lol

Bilge pumps are notorious “noise” makers. I would wire the radio to a cleaner source of power.

Have you applied for you MMSI number?

 

[matt167]

Better not key the mike....The government’s VHF surveillance satellites will pinpoint your location and relay the information to the FCC for prosecution....lol

Bilge pumps are notorious “noise” makers. I would wire the radio to a cleaner source of power.

Have you applied for you MMSI number?

nope, but I will