VHF radios

[armstead]

Okay so do you really need the mounted vhf radios with the antenna for emergency or to call your towing company or will a simple hand held vhf radio work for a boat that will mostly stay intercostal or riding the coast line.

 

[chuck1]

It depends....

If you are staying inland most of the time and have access to cell service the hand held may work just fine.

One of the problems with most handhelds is the low wattage and small antenna.(ie:short range) Another problem is that most of them will not allow DSC hookup with your GPS. Could really be a life saver if/when you need it.

I personally have both. It really depends on how/where you are going to be boating.

 

[cdefreit]

I recently installed a Uniden Oceanus DSC in my 185. I too, stay close to shore, but I'm glad I got a mounted VHF. For me, I always forgot to charge up the little handheld or forget to bring it or even unpack it when underway. The mounted unit is great, plus its hooked up to my Garmin GPS for emergency distress calls. Like someone said earlier, that could be a life saver.

 

[NautyDog]

Okay so do you really need the mounted vhf radios with the antenna for emergency or to call your towing company or will a simple hand held vhf radio work for a boat that will mostly stay intercoastal or riding the coast line.

When I read your question, it sounds like to me that you know you should have a fixed VHF, but you don't want to get one. It's like asking "Do I really need a a seatbelt, fire extinguisher, flare, life jacket, etc. etc." Odds are, you won't need any of that, or a VFH radio.

Handhelds are for dinghy's and backups. Anything else is up to you and what risks you want to take. If you never have a problem, then you would never need one, no matter how big or small the boat is.

 

[avguy]

99.9% of our time is spent on a protected inland lake. I have a fixed mount w/DSC connected to the GPS and a backup hand held. Money well spent :thumbsup:

 

[fc3]

Yes, you need a VHF because when you need it, you are going to need it badly. And you'll probably need a fix mount unit with the better antenna with a gain factor and higher output power. Considering how inexpensive a fixed mount radio and antenna are, it's a no-brainer. That said, don't buy any VHF except for either Icom or Standard Horizon. Every single test I've ever read show that the other brands do not measure up to Icom and Standard Horizon. The Icoms usually tested a tiny bit better than the Standards, but both radios lead the rest of the pack by a huge margin. Even the top of the line units from the others don't do as well as the more modestly prices Icoms and Standards.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[armstead]

When I read your question, it sounds like to me that you know you should have a fixed VHF, but you don't want to get one. It's like asking "Do I really need a a seatbelt, fire extinguisher, flare, life jacket, etc. etc." Odds are, you won't need any of that, or a VFH radio.

Handhelds are for dinghy's and backups. Anything else is up to you and what risks you want to take. If you never have a problem, then you would never need one, no matter how big or small the boat is.

Actually I was reallly not sure which was better and after talking to the saleman at West Marine this morning that swore up and down that the hand held is just as good for what type of boating I'd be doing, I purchased just to have but never opened the box. I will return it tomorrow and get a fixed on..

Thanks for all the input.

By the way what size antenna are most using 2, 4 or 8ft on a say 220 Sundeck? I was thinking 4ft. Also are the metal one the way to go or the white fiberglass ones that look like the color of the boats for better reception?

 

[Mr Salt]

The bigger the antenna the greater range that it will have. I don't know of a metal fixed mount antenna, all of the ones that I have seen a white fiberglass with a metal core.

 

[chuck1]

I've got a four foot metal mounted on mine and works good for the way I boat. I think I've got a picture of it in my photo album here or on my website if you are interested

 

[buhuskies]

It's peace of mind to have on board and in addition to a fixed mount I also carry a hand held waterproof battery operated unit too which I think I paid something like $69 for on sale at Cabella's. The portable can be kept in a ditch bag. I had my Dealer install (their recommendation) a Standard Horizon CMP25W which has all the controls on the mike unit. That way the box itself can be mounted in a hidden location and the mike unit can be easily removed for security purposes. The Antenna is a relatively short 3-4' metal (car like) antenna not highly visible but plenty of range for inshore boating activities. Both are visible in this photo:
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