VHF Handhelds

SolidSnake

New Member
Feb 16, 2017
30
Illinois
Boat Info
'04 Sundeck 240
Engines
6.2 Merc Bravo III
I tried to use the search feature but didn't really come up with great results...

I am wondering if anyone has any good input on a nice handheld VHF radio. I always like good ones and at times not scared to pay a little extra. I am mainly going to be boating on my river near me and I want to be able to communicate well with the Locks. Also have in case of some kind of emergency. If an installed one is better I may be inclined to install one but figured for what I do a handheld would be better..

Just looking for some reviews or input on any good ones y'all may have came across or used or heard about. Of course I do like the submersible/floating ones in case you drop it or something....:smt021

Thank you all!
 
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I have a standard horizon 870. I really love all the features and the voice clarity is unreal. The one thing I hate is there is not a squelch knob but push buttons. Overall I would buy again but I also love the little icom m88 and it is proven


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Buy one that floats if you ever plan to use it in a dinghy....or even if you don't. The price diff between one that floats and one that sinks won't be that much.

I'd also buy one with rechargeable batteries and keep the charger on the boat.

I've had Cobra, Standard Horizon and a couple of others I don't recall. I like Standard Horizon because they work. Well. Sound quality is good and features plentiful.
 
I have 2 different model icoms and like both of them. I don't recal the models but they both float and work well.
 
I have a Standard Horizon HX850 with GPS (and DSC). Its a waterproof floating unit. Its large as a result, but works well. Its 6w on high power, which I think is the max for a handheld unit. Its a bit old now but the newer versions are similar. I also have an older Uniden Voyager. Its nice and small and works well too, but does not float and I hardly ever use it as a result.
 
I have a standard horizon 870. The one thing I hate is there is not a squelch knob but push buttons. Overall I would buy again but I also love the little icom m88 and it is proven

+1 I have an older model, and the push-button squelch is my only complaint as well. (and it's a BIG complaint - sql should be quick/easy, and on mine it's not)
 
Well at the moment I have been looking up the Standard Horizon HX300. May just pick that up since I am not in or going in the ocean any time soon. I have a cell phone that will work for GPS and any other kind of distress problem. Normally always have service on the river and a few lakes I may take her on.

$100 isn't bad at all. It floats face up and when it hits the water the strobe light comes on so you can find it if you drop it at night. Can be charged with a mini USB cord as well off 120v or 12. So far nothing really bad on this model except the fact of what NotHerDecision said:

The one thing I hate is there is not a squelch knob but push buttons.

It is the same with the volume button which I also would rather have a knob for that and volume...

https://www.amazon.com/Standard-Horizon-HX300-Handheld-Marine/dp/B00AJVXA5W
 
I know you said you are not afraid to spend some money for quality, and waterproofing would be nice, but here's one that I have, the Baofeng uv5, and its well worth the price. These radios are 5 watts and self programmable. I bought a two pack set that comes with the software to program the names to the channels I have entered. I can listen to my favorite FM radio station while scanning two VHF or UHF or a combo of all three channels. I can scan marine channel 16, my local law enforcement channel and the greatest 80's music, all at the same time. It has a Led light and a very strong rechargeable lithium battery. I really comes in handy for talking to the tow vehicle for those awkward boat ramps. Did I mention the price? $80 !!!!!!! https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-Walk...&qid=1491979370&sr=1-1&keywords=BaoFeng+UV-5R
 

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I know you said you are not afraid to spend some money for quality, and waterproofing would be nice, but here's one that I have, the Baofeng uv5, and its well worth the price. These radios are 5 watts and self programmable. I bought a two pack set that comes with the software to program the names to the channels I have entered. I can listen to my favorite FM radio station while scanning two VHF or UHF or a combo of all three channels. I can scan marine channel 16, my local law enforcement channel and the greatest 80's music, all at the same time. It has a Led light and a very strong rechargeable lithium battery. I really comes in handy for talking to the tow vehicle for those awkward boat ramps. Did I mention the price? $80 !!!!!!! https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-Walk...&qid=1491979370&sr=1-1&keywords=BaoFeng+UV-5R

That's not a marine VHF radio though? So you program the channel frequencies yourself?
 
I totally understand how handy the baofeng is but it does not qualify as a marine radio. It is illegal to transmit on a marine band with that radio.


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It is illegal to transmit on a marine band with that radio.

Why do you say that? Marine frequencies do not require a license.

Now some of the other frequencies that the Baofeng operates on do indeed require a license.
 
There are a multitude of reasons but the main one is the law. The FCC regulates marine radios, the Baofeng is not type approved, therefore it cannot be used to legally transmit on marine frequencies. In addition, it is not waterproof, does not have a dedicated 16/9 watch capability...etc. It also does not have DSC which, in my opinion, is worth it's weight in gold if/when you ever need it.

I have 2 uniden radios that have marine VHF and GMRS (Yes I have a GMRS license). These radios are handy because we can use them on trips across land, but they are fairly cheap and I wouldn't recommend them as a sole marine radio either.

I have played with the Baofeng radios quote a bit, but at the end of the day ask yourself this question, If I needed this in an emergency would I want this 30 dollar walkie talkie to save my life?

-Josh
 
I agree with your statement Josh of relying on a $30 radio for an emergency.

Having said that, I believe those radios are part 90 certified and have authorization to transmit on the marine frequencies.


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K9

Part 90 is for landmobile communications. Marine radios are regulated by part 80 which is why the baofeng is not type approved.

There are lots of reasons it's not type approved but here are a few, it doesn't automatically reduce the wattage on specific channels, it cannot maintain a proper watch as it is not a dual receiver for channel 16. It is not waterproof, it doesn't comply with the DSC rules after march 15 2015...

I do know it's a cool radio but a boater should have a proper marine rated VHF and if you want this radio as a emergency radio or for other uses then that works. For the money, you can program them with GMRS (if you have a license) or MURS if you don't and have a ton of fun with the little baofeng radios, but they shouldn't be the primary VHF radio in any boat.


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I bought a West Marine VHF460 last summer to use as a backup on the Sea Ray. It's made by Uniden and has DSC and GPS. I programmed it with the boat's MMSI so it can send a mayday DSC call just like the fixed VHF, and it's waterproof/floatable so it could be used after one abandons ship due to an emergency. The only downside to this radio in my opinion is the flimsy belt clip. To securely attach to your belt or PFD you would need to use a nylon radio pouch or similar.
 
I have an Icom M34. I bought it used off of craigslist and has worked great.
 

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