handheld vhf radio - The Hull Truth

j.g. · 02-27-2006, 08:26 AM

good morning everyone!! i did a search on the key word for my question and did'nt find anything so hopfully i won't be beating a dead horse. i am wondering what your thoughts are for a handheld vhf radio for my ditch bag. features? make and model? price ? and any thing you want to offer would be great................. thanks........... jim

Elusive · 02-27-2006, 08:37 AM

I just bought the SH HX471S. Only unit that I could find that offered DSC on a HH. As I'm considering this a piece of emergency gear, I think this is a great feature. Also has FRS capability which I use. Got it from board vendor BOE

There are a number of good units on the market at great prices. Saw the ICOM M1V on sale for $149 at CME

sandy · 02-27-2006, 09:27 AM

Powerboat Reports did some studies on hand-helds. Try them at powerboat-reports.com. They get a few bucks for reprints, but it could be worth it.

Kamper · 02-27-2006, 11:55 AM

Most people think it's an excellent idea. Look in the "Electronics" forum for more threads on this subject.

81 CC SEAOX 23' · 02-27-2006, 12:22 PM

I own and use as a second VHF on the boat an ICOM M2A. Not only made by one of the best companies in the communications field but has a radio line that is above industry average quality. ICOM and Standard are the place to start looking. My M2A was around $150.00 or so. excelant ditch bag unit. Something else to consider is to buy units for your ditch bag that all use the same spare batteries like "ALL double A" so you do not have to have differant batteries for each unit but they can be all used for every unit in the ditch bag.

cooker · 02-27-2006, 04:23 PM

The two features I would want on my vhf are submersable, and lithium ion batteries. No memory on the lithium ion, unlike ni-cad and submersable because in most cases the radio will get wet. Icom, Standard Horizon are excellent. West Marine has their own brand made by Uniden that comes in at 149.99 -159.99. Thats a very good deal.- Cooker

j.g. · 02-27-2006, 10:46 PM

thanks to all .. the information provided by the members of this forum is second to none.... and saves many a tuition payment to the school of hard knocks ....jim

mirage2521 · 02-27-2006, 11:09 PM

while working as a tug captain, every boat I worked on used Standard radios for piloting and barge work and they could sure take a beating and still perform day in and day out.