handheld VHF

[gi joe]

After the tragedy that occurred with the 4 guys who left out of Florida, I am going to update my safety gear. One of the items I am considering is a handheld VHF. This will afford me some backup comms in the unlikely event I lose battery power. Does anyone have any recommendations? Things to look for, or look out for? Is there an optimum watt rating or something? My hard wired unit is a standard eclipse. It seems to work fine, but I have very little expertise in this area. Thanks...Joe

[CFISHN]

UNIDEN ATLANTIS 250 LESS THAT $100 http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ATLANTIS++250&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=14555856040389078442&scoring=p#ps-sellers

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE COMES WITH RECHARGEABLE AND A PACK YOU LOAD WITH AA ALKALINE BATTERIES

WE SELL THEM TO COAL COMPANY'S TO USE AT THE RIVER LOADOUT AND ON LINE BOATS !

IF THEY WILL STAND UP TO THAT THEY ARE TOUGH !

I MOUNTED THE INCLUDED STAND TO MY CONSOLE !

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/CFISHN62/CSO/CONSOLE-1.jpg

HERE IS A CHEEP PAIR NOT HIGH QUALITY BUT MAY BE USEFUL

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=420100&pdesc=Cobra_MRHH_100VP_Handheld_VHF_Radio_2_pack&cname=VHF-Marine-Radios&aID=18F&merchID=1009&r=view

[lakebiker]

ICOM
Don't believe me, ask the Capt's on the coast. *thumbsup*

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

A FLOATING ICOM is even better *thumbsup*


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0043334019144a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=icom+vhf&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

[Slim to None]

whatever you get, make sure it A) floats and B) is completely water proof (meaning you can submerge it and it will still work). if you are going to be floating in the ocean without your boat you want to make sure your handheld VHF will work in the water. another idea is a ditch bag with all the safety gear in it and dry zip lock style bags for the VHF as they will still work through the bag.

[tpurvis]

I've got a Icom M36 Waterproof Floating Handheld --- generates 6 watts high 1 watt low. Charge last me a full day of fishing. Not the cheapest, about 180 at Boaters World.

[DocStressor]

I've researched these recently and the best one I came up with is the Standard Horizon HX850S:

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=DB09EE62D98A27B5C8942B922E30709C&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

It floats, has a 9 hr battery, 6 watts, but what's most important is that is has a built in GPS with full DSC capability. So it will broadcast your exact position while you are in the water. Standard Horizon radios have always been very reliable.

[ballen]

Thanks for that info Doc. I was in the market for a PLB, but the standard horizon unit maybe a cheaper alternative. I know that it is not an PLB, but for the stuff I plan on doing this may work!!!!!

[gi joe]

*thumbsup* I appreciate all the input. I am not much of an electronics guy, so I need it. I have never owned a handheld VHF, so you guys that have, your insight is especially helpful. Thanks again.

[MartyJ16]

I have a Standard Horizon handheld, and I test it when I am out. I obviously don't need deep water stuff. But I remember a great piece of advice that reinforced my experience, on this site when I first started looking around - whatever the electronics, figure it out on dry land. Drag out the manual and read it and try the unit. It reduces frustration with the GPS and fish finder, but it is essential with communications. I think it was 1stSarge that posted that one. Could have been any of these guys.*thumbsup*

[hogtown_usa]

If the handheld you get has a removable antenna, I'd suggest getting an adapter to plug the coax cable connector from your main VHF antenna to the handheld. This way you can plug your big antenna into the handheld to acheive greater range. This could prove useful if your battery or fixed VHF does crap out on you. Just a thought...*016*

[CFISHN]

UNIDEN ATLANTIS 250 LESS THAT $100 http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ATLANTIS++250&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=14555856040389078442&scoring=p#ps-sellers

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE COMES WITH RECHARGEABLE AND A PACK YOU LOAD WITH AA ALKALINE BATTERIES

WE SELL THEM TO COAL COMPANY'S TO USE AT THE RIVER LOADOUT AND ON LINE BOATS !

IF THEY WILL STAND UP TO THAT THEY ARE TOUGH !

I MOUNTED THE INCLUDED STAND TO MY CONSOLE !

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk1/CFISHN62/CSO/CONSOLE-1.jpg

HERE IS A CHEEP PAIR NOT HIGH QUALITY BUT MAY BE USEFUL

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=420100&pdesc=Cobra_MRHH_100VP_Handheld_VHF_Radio_2_pack&cname=VHF-Marine-Radios&aID=18F&merchID=1009&r=view

After seeing every one post about the expensive models ~ I now suggest you by 2 of the Uniden models I have recommended and sold for years , you won't be the coolest kid on the block but you can pitch one over board and still have one on hand and some spare change to pocket ! $71+ s/h each ol yea it's water proof and Coal mine Load out proof !

[FoodPlot]

Appreciate the info. Since I "Never"go out on deep water, just bays, lakes, creeks, and rivers, I am not in need of the more expensive models....I have the 17JV Model and it does what I want. The inputs of all is greatly appreciated and have given me several ideas of what I actually will purchase.

[DocStressor]

The one thing to keep in mind about all hand held radios is that their transmission range is short. You can hear boats with 25 W fixed mount radios and 8' 6 db antennas from almost 10 miles away. But you can't transmit to them if you are more than about 3 miles away under most conditions.

BTW, I have one of those Uniden Atlantis radios. The reception quality is outstanding and I agree that they are a lot of bang for the buck. But they have 2 short comings: 1) The transmission range really drops off once the batteries get a little run down; and 2) they are water resistant, but not really water proof. If they go in the drink the battery compartment will flood.

[CFISHN]

The one thing to keep in mind about all hand held radios is that their transmission range is short. You can hear boats with 25 W fixed mount radios and 8' 6 db antennas from almost 10 miles away. But you can't transmit to them if you are more than about 3 miles away under most conditions.

BTW, I have one of those Uniden Atlantis radios. The reception quality is outstanding and I agree that they are a lot of bang for the buck. But they have 2 short comings: 1) The transmission range really drops off once the batteries get a little run down; and 2) they are water resistant, but not really water proof. If they go in the drink the battery compartment will flood.

I'm confused do you not have a rechargeable back plate batt with charger ?

Are you talking about the spare backup plate for AA batteries ?

your radio should have came with both !

[DocStressor]

Yes, it came with both. I dunked the radio once (don't ask!) and now I only have the rechargeable pack. Even with the rechargeable back plate, water flows right into the contacts.

[CFISHN]

Yes, it came with both. I dunked the radio once (don't ask!) and now I only have the rechargeable pack. Even with the rechargeable back plate, water flows right into the contacts.
Thanks for the info !

I sell about six dozen a year to the river boats and coal docks around here!

They have a newer model out ...

The durable MHS75 VHF Handheld Radio from Uniden offers a compact design and is rated JIS8 submersible. Offering superior receiver performance, the MHS75 VHF Handheld Radio features dual, trip and quad watch, memory channel scan and weather alert function.

* Features: Compact design
* JIS8 submersible
* Dual/triple/quad watch
* Memory channel scan
* Weather alert
* DC clip-on charger
* Runs 11 hours on rechargeable lithium ion battery (included)

around $100 retail

[CFISHN]

If the handheld you get has a removable antenna, I'd suggest getting an adapter to plug the coax cable connector from your main VHF antenna to the handheld. This way you can plug your big antenna into the handheld to acheive greater range. This could prove useful if your battery or fixed VHF does crap out on you. Just a thought...*016*

BNC - SO230 around $5
This is the connector your referring to and that is a tremendous idea *yay*