Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

[jacknbella]

OK, the wife and I went to our first Power Squadron boat safety training class last night and now she is convinced we need a VHF marine radio for emergencies. Most of our boating will be on the Illinois River or inland lakes. I've read thru numerous posts on this website in regards to hand-helds but now I am more confused than ever. Can someone please just point me in the direction of the simplest device with GPS tracking? Send make and model and I'll go buy it this weekend, no questions asked. I'll let her figure the darn thing out later (because I could care-less about how they work).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

you need to find out if the areas you are boating are monitored by VHF, before buying one. a lot of local lakes there is no one to hear you. sometimes cell phones are better. VHF/gps combos are best as a fixed station, rather than hand held. i have both on my boat, handheld in pocket of life jacket, incase i have to abandon boat.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

TD, the Illinois River has VHF communications as it has barge traffic (at least that's what the Power Squadron said last night). Some of the inland lakes we may visit may not. It doesn't matter though because there is no way the wife will let us go without one. To be honest, I'd rather just put a hand-held device in the glove box and forget about it unless we needed it. Do you have a good make and model you'd recommend???

 

[mthieme]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

I have a Midland Nautica. It's a great little unit that runs around $50.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

Standard Horison HX850S,floating hand held with GPS and DSC

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

i have uniden, fixed mount, midland and a west marine handheld. just get atleast a 5 watt.
take a look here. http://www.iboats.com/Marine_VHF_Ra...9951643--**********.577890721--view_id.248076

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

Thanks for the advice everyone!!! Making a trip to Gander Mtn tomorrow to pick one out. Otherwise, I'll just order one from iBoats.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

order today, you should have it Wed or Thurs.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

TD, we aren't in any hurry because our boat will remain in winter storage for another month or two. However, if I can find one on-sale now, the sooner I quiet the wife, the better!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Marine VHF Hand-Held Advice Needed

yeah, when mama's happy everyone is!!!!