Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

[mphy98]

This boat will only be in Canada, that said what would be the best radio for me to have up there? A hand held or fixed mount with the big antenna? i will be on eagle lake by dryden. thanks bob

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

Even though the lake isnt that wide its pretty long and scattered. also how many people frequent that area? you may be in a place without many people around so range would be a big concern so I wouldnt go with a handheld. Most of my knowledge is based around handhelds but from what i understand that the console mounted vhf its all about the size of your antenna. they all put out around 25 watts and with a large antenna your reach would be well over 5 miles.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

Agree with Turbo. Bang for the buck, the mobile radio beats the handheld, well, hands down. The distance thing is a function of the dB gain and height of the antenna, since all these radios are 25W. The higher the antenna the better the distance. The better the antenna gain the better also, as long as the antenna isn't "heeled over" too much.

On Lake Ontario, it isn't unusual for sailboats to have a VHF range of 20 miles using a 3 dB antenna at the top of the mast. That said, power boats usually want an antenna with 12 or more dB, since they don't have the height advantage of the mast.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

i would find out what is monitored in the area. some inland lakes are not monitored by VHF, you may be better of getting help via CB.

 

[pvanv]

Re: Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

The USCG would never recommend CB for anything, ever. Limited range, and too tinkertoy. Plus, they don't have RDF units setup for CB frequencies, so they can't home-in on your CB signal. However, there may indeed be some remote areas where there are folks using CB. That said, if you're in an area that has no people monitoring VHF, you may find that a cell phone is cheap and easy to use, as long as there is coverage. Many of the new phones are RDF-equipped (they may call it by the misnomer of GPS, which is not true), but they are capable of being found by RDF triangulation.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

thanks guys, i will go with the fixed mount and large antenna.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

i did not say what the coast guard recommended. he ask for advice.

there are areas that are not monitored by the US Coast Guard, you need to know what is the best communications for the area. some areas are cell phone, some CB, at least you can contact some one to help get you help. there are rural areas in Florida, that cells don't work, and to far for vhf. CB you can atleast get a trucker, hunter etc.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Radio, What To Buy Advise Please

where i boat vhf is rairly used by other boaters. never had Luck with a cb. I use a mouted vhf, carry a cell phone and alot of the recreational boaters in my area use the frs handheld radios so i carry one of those too. Like TD said you have to find out what is best for your area it only takes alittle investigating. No radio is any good if nobody is listening.