VHF handheld help

[jstaz]

I have started to fish Mobile Bay in Alabama. Eventually I will go toward the gulf but wont be going far off shore. At the most 1-2 miles. I am looking at getting a handheld VHF versus a mobile due to ability to use on other boats, economy, and distance from shore I will be. I was looking at the Uniden Atlantis 250 because someone recommended that to me. I know very little about VHF radios in regards to marine use.

What recommendations would you have for radio choices for my usage choices?

What is a good site to learn about the usage of VHF marine radios? I am going to check the USCG website next. Others?

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: VHF handheld help

ICOM and Standard Horizon are at the top of the list for quality VHF radios, handheld or fixed mount. You may watch a short video and read about them on the West Advisor. The West Advisor: VHF Handheld Radios

 

[jhebert]

Re: VHF handheld help

In the USA, the Coast Guard RESCUE21 radio system is designed to provide coverage for about 20-miles offshore for a 1-Watt transmitter with an antenna height of two-meters. A handheld VHF Marine Band radio should be able to communicate with the Coast Guard at that range.

I find Standard-Horizon radios to be very good values. They offer excellent support, too.

 

[marekli]

Re: VHF handheld help

I just purchased the Icom M92D after doing some research on DSC capable handheld VHFs. Standard Horizon and Icom probably make some of the better models. There was a very review on the "Practical Sailor" on the M92D (key feature for me was the "float and flash" capability, about 50% float but only few will emit a signal to help with locating it and in an emergency I don't want to spend much time) you can google. There's a lot of features so you really need to read up a bit more and then decide what's best for you. Here's a site to read up more on DSC/VHF besides the WEstmarine video clip already mentioned:

VHF DSC technical specification

In the USA, the Coast Guard RESCUE21 radio system is designed to provide coverage for about 20-miles offshore for a 1-Watt transmitter with an antenna height of two-meters. A handheld VHF Marine Band radio should be able to communicate with the Coast Guard at that range.

I find Standard-Horizon radios to be very good values. They offer excellent support, too.

 

[JerseyBoater]

Re: VHF handheld help

Float and flash is very useful, but as jhebert said the height of the antenna dramatically affects the range. You can get some handheld radios that connect to external antennas to give you extra range.

If you're out in the ocean, I'd go for a model with DSC.

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: VHF handheld help

As far as I know any handheld VHF radio with a removable antenna will hook up to a "real" antenna as long as you have the correct adapter. Which will GREATLY affect how far you can talk and receive. VHF works on line of site. Not what your eyes see, But from antenna tip to antenna tip.