Vhf hand held radios

[billnpat]

I read in Chapmans boating book that one should consider having a VHF hand held radio on board as a back up.....

Good advice?? if so what brand would you recommend ??
:huh:

 

[Windjammer]

I got the Standard Horizon HX850S - 6 watts transmit power, built in GPS and DSC plus it floats (haven't tried that feature yet). Have probably owned 1/2 dozen hand helds over the past 20 years - anyone remember the Ray Jefferson hand held 6 channel VHF's. Had to order crystals for the channels you wanted/needed, required 8 AA batteries and weighed a ton....
The HX850S is the best I've had....bought it from BOE. Don't remember the price but it was less than $200...

 

[Creekwood]

Second the recommendation on the HX850 (original version) or 851 (has basic navigation). Its a bit large (probably air space to make it float), but its 6w and has gps/dsc which is what you want if you "need" it as an emergency radio.

 

[Stray Cat]

I think it would be a good idea to have the new handhelds that also give a GPS position in the event of an emergency. Standard Horizon HX851 and Lowrance LHR-80 are two units that offer that capability. I think it would be nice to take along if you were to board someone elses boat that doesn't have VHF, or has VHF but it doesn't work. Just remember, depending on the area or where you're boating, the handheld range will be less than the radio on the boat with your antannae properly raised.

Maybe drop Jim a PM to get his thoughts if he doesn't chime in on your thread. There are a lot of options for handhelds, ICOM makes one that floats.

 

[jmunro123]

i have the same Standard Horizon Radio with the GPS. I have tested the float feature and it works great. I got the GPS and got a MMSI number that is linked to our cruiser. Its a good idea to have a back up. My radio died going into port two summers ago. it was a big pain.

I let the kids take the handheld and can locate them on my plotter by polling them. its a great featue for cruising with kids.

 

[melida]

I have standart on my boat raymarine 215e vhf and also I bought 3 years ago raymarine handheld ray101E. I can communicate with it 5 to 15 nautical miles in open sea.

It is submersible and have 5watt transmit power
1300mAh NiMH Battery Capacity
Waterproof battery tray accepts both AA Size NiMH and Alkaline batteries
Quick access 16 PLUS priority
12 Volt cigarette lighter adapter included
Tri-watch



http://www.raymarine.com/SubmittedFiles/prod_images/ray101/product_ray101_large_297_600.jpg

 

[billnpat]

:thumbsup: Thanks everyone at least now i have an idea as to what to consider, i'll look around at the boat show today in NYC and see what they show .............

 

[rcknecht]

I read in Chapmans boating book that one should consider having a VHF hand held radio on board as a back up.....

Good advice?? if so what brand would you recommend ??
:huh:

I have one, but I think a cell phone is a better back up for where I typically boat...

 

[sbw1]

Look at the performance of the Icoms. Hard to beat.

 

[billnpat]

:Went to the NYC boat show today, lots of boats, lots of vendors,
came to west marine booth and they had the HX 851 at $199.00, not shipped till mid feb, said they had 1000 on order and the $199.00 was a boat show price, so i bought it.:thumbsup:

 

[Alex F]

I have standart on my boat raymarine 215e vhf and also I bought 3 years ago raymarine handheld ray101E. I can communicate with it 5 to 15 nautical miles in open sea.

It is submersible and have 5watt transmit power
1300mAh NiMH Battery Capacity
Waterproof battery tray accepts both AA Size NiMH and Alkaline batteries
Quick access 16 PLUS priority
12 Volt cigarette lighter adapter included
Tri-watch



http://www.raymarine.com/SubmittedFiles/prod_images/ray101/product_ray101_large_297_600.jpg

Interesting unit. From what I see ray101E is European model where ray101 is US model. Even though they may perform the same I think it's easier to get US version.

Has anyone used external attachment mic/speaker for your handheld? Does it work well, does it provide the convenience?

I was looking at icom M34, looks like a nice unit 5w. It comes with external mic/speaker, but I wander is it really worth getting the mic.

 

[melida]

Interesting unit. From what I see ray101E is European model where ray101 is US model. Even though they may perform the same I think it's easier to get US version.

Has anyone used external attachment mic/speaker for your handheld? Does it work well, does it provide the convenience?

I was looking at icom M34, looks like a nice unit 5w. It comes with external mic/speaker, but I wander is it really worth getting the mic.

Hi Alex.

As you know the main difference between E and US (also CANADA)models is the 110volt-220volt power suply. But you can charge a E model in a US boat by the cigarette lighter or US in E boat.

The second is the FCC and other national/local requirments can vary from country to country.

The third (and I guess there is no in Ray101) is the frequency range difference.

I'm so happy with my both handheld and 215. I use the 101 for dinghy while visiting other friends' boats and while cruising on other's boats dont have a constant vhf.

 

[Rono007]

I have one, but I think a cell phone is a better back up for where I typically boat...

Same here - a mobile would be better for us as well since we will be boating on a lake 90% of the time. I am, however, going to get a handheld. Better safe than sorry. I don't think I ever want to go out under prepared.

 

[tobnpr]

I have one, but I think a cell phone is a better back up for where I typically boat...

True, maybe...
Easier to call Sea Tow in a non-emergency.
But do you have the closest USCG station (or whomever you would contact in a hurry if your boat were going down) on speed dial?

Also, don't forget most cellphones aren't waterproof (as most handhelds are).

 

[Alex F]

I have one, but I think a cell phone is a better back up for where I typically boat...

Rod,
I feel the same, but for thise occasional trips we take out in the ocean you need to have all proper exquipment. Besides convenience handheld is a good backup for your main vhf. When you cruise 1-2 miles out following the shore line cell phone will still do fine for the most part, but when you go out further than that forget the cell, from what I recall their range is about 2 miles out. Am I wrong guys?

 

[Alex F]

Hi Alex.

As you know the main difference between E and US (also CANADA)models is the 110volt-220volt power suply. But you can charge a E model in a US boat by the cigarette lighter or US in E boat.

The second is the FCC and other national/local requirments can vary from country to country.

The third (and I guess there is no in Ray101) is the frequency range difference.

I'm so happy with my both handheld and 215. I use the 101 for dinghy while visiting other friends' boats and while cruising on other's boats dont have a constant vhf.

melida,
I just noticed that you're in Europe, which explains why you referred to 101E model. Sure I agree on those differences you had pointed out. I'm glad you're happy with the unit. It makes one more to be looked at while people do the research. The only thing I didn't see is option for external mic/speaker, do you have one or my understanding is correct that this unit doesn't have that option?

 

[melida]

melida,
I just noticed that you're in Europe, which explains why you referred to 101E model. Sure I agree on those differences you had pointed out. I'm glad you're happy with the unit. It makes one more to be looked at while people do the research. The only thing I didn't see is option for external mic/speaker, do you have one or my understanding is correct that this unit doesn't have that option?

Alex,
I cant understand what you underline of the external mic speaker. It does heave a built in mic and the half of the unit is speaker.
Do you mean for a port for plugging a extra speaker like an ipod it doesnt have it and you dont need it, it has nearly same decibell of loudness as 215.

 

[Jack F]

Alex are you talking about this?

 

[Alex F]

That's exactly it, Jack.

 

[Four Suns]

It's always good to carry a handheld radio for some of the reasons mentioned. A couple points though...

1. A handheld is not a replacement for a fixed mount radio. The range on a handheld is going to be just a few miles at most. I'm not buying the "15 mile" comment. They will have great reception range (you can hear people) but the transmit range is generally poor because of the power (typically 5-6 watts) and small low-db gain antenna. A fixed mount is typically around 20 watts having anywhere from a 6 to 9 db gain 8 foot antenna. Down here, a 6 db fixed mount antenna with 20 watts will provide a transmit range of 12-15 miles and a 9 db antenna will do around 20 miles... this is when the antenna is about 25 feet off the water line. This is less than "line of sight" with regards to the earth curvature because the power just doesn't get it that far. Reception is another story. I can receive stuff from the Coast Guard from 50 miles.... they just won't hear me.

I got frustrated with having a hand held on the dinghy because it would fade out in 1-2 miles so I put a fixed mount with a 6 db antenna and get around 5 miles out of it now. People in the dinghy could always hear me but they just couldn't talk back to me... if you are going to argue with your wife and/or kids, have them go out in the dinghy and do it over the radio because they won't be able to interrupt you.

2. Make sure you have fresh batteries in the battery pack along with replacements. Handheld VHF radios stuck in a ditch bag will be dead unless you keep it charged all the time... and once the Li-I batteries die... then what?

3. The cell phone argument is... well... not even an argument for emergency use. When a cell phone gets wet, it will die. Period. I've lost many cell phones due to salt water as well as fresh water just being splashed on them.

4. I do like the GPS/VHF handheld units. I have a spare GPS and a couple handhelds... they are all old but they work... The only issue that I could see would be battery life but if this is a "backup", just make sure you have spare batteries as well as a charged unit...