Is Handheld VHF radio safe for Chesapeake use?

hludlam · 09-02-2009, 06:07 AM

I will be cruising the east and west sides of the Chesapeake Bay from the Rappahannock to the Severn river and would love to know if my handheld VHF radio held about 6 feet above the water will be able to always contact a Coast Guard station along the way?

I normally boat on an inland lake in Georgia and don't need a fixed mount VHF radio. On my small boat it will create mounting issues especially the antenna that I would like to avoid unless my handheld creates a safety issue for this one trip I plan on the Chesapeake. Your local knowledge would be appreciated.

Steve_250 · 09-02-2009, 06:10 AM

If I remember correctly, there is a CG station in Baltimore and one on the lower Chessie.
I don't THINK there should be an issue, but if there is, at least another boat should hear you on Ch 16.

Bruce W · 09-02-2009, 07:26 PM

You've got the CG station at Milford Haven - mainland side of Gwynn's Island - about half way between the mouth of the Rappahannock and the Severn.

Not sure about the EAST side of the Chesapeake?

Handhelds have their limitations - 6 ft. off the water doesn't sould like a lot of "height" for a handheld to work properly, but I can't really tell you if it'll work?

"Radio checks" in the mentioned areas to Milford (or boats in that area) would be the best "test".

I think there is also a CG station just east of Yorktown, too?

Regards,

Pursuit2470 · 09-03-2009, 05:13 AM

I think you will be fine..........are you also carrying a cell phone?
There are costies in Solomons, about half way...........relax and enjoy the trip!

khobombed · 09-03-2009, 07:51 AM

When are you travelling? This weekend will have plenty of traffic so you shouldn't worry in relaying information when you need help. You should also have day and night flares as a back up. This is mandatory if your boat is larger than 16' but few exemptions are listed here: http://www.boatus.com/foundation/gui...ipment_23.html. I'm travelling too in the bay from Deale to Hampton and as piece of mind joined BoatUS for their towing package.

hludlam · 09-03-2009, 03:05 PM

I will be cruising the area mid week in mid October. I do have a cell phone and handheld VHF and judging from everyone's response I should be just fine without a fixed mount VHF. Thanks for the assurances.

CaptKennyW · 09-04-2009, 07:30 AM

You should be fine there are CG Stations all up and down the bay. Your cell phone will work too as long as you arent in the middle of the bay.

F16TJ · 09-08-2009, 06:10 PM

I use an Icom handheld all the time and I'm usually out of Soloman's. I hear every broadcast from the Baltimore CG station and I can hear guys transmit from down south of the Targets. I mount mine about five feet off the water line, so you should have no problem. Happy cruising!

Paul Barnard · 09-09-2009, 04:47 AM

You have Sector Baltimore on the north end of the bay and Sector Hampton Roads on the South end. They have the ability to monitor VHF high level antennas all around the bay. In addition, the SAR stations can monitor the same VHF high sites. The following list has the stations located on the bay among them. http://www.uscg.mil/d5/stations.asp

I would not consider a cell phone a good choice for emergency communications on the water. When you use a cell phone, you have an audience of one. When you use a VHF, your audience is indefinite. If you have a VHF and monitor channel 16 you very well may find yourself in a position to assist others at some point. A good VHF is the way too go.

prowlersfish · 09-09-2009, 08:10 PM

I will be the odd man here I would not even think about going with out a fixed mount 25 watt VHF. unless your going to be within 5 miles of the coast guard all the time the range on a hand held is very limited due to output.

Just because you hear others on you hand held do think they can here you , the folks you hearing are putting out 25 watts(or more with the C.G.) your only putting out 5 watts or so.

the hand held is made for short range use . There great around the dock put fall short for primary communication . there are a lot fewer boaters out in October, so you all the power you can get in a VHF if you want to be heard.The bay is a big place with a lot dead zones as far as cell phones go.

There a 2 guys that died that were delivering a new C.classic in N.C. did not have a fixed mount VHF only hand held and maybe a cell. No one heard a mayday. If the had a fixed mount they maybe alive today . We will never know but is it worth the chance? Not for me.

Steve_250 · 09-10-2009, 10:13 AM

If you are travelling on a weekend, you will prolly see a lot of boats.
Mid October through November is prime Striper season!
That's the only reason I think you would be alright.
But if no boats are in near sight, you may have an issue due to the low wattage of the handheld transmitter...

Stay on the west side of the Bay and to the east of the Targets, follow the route on the chart and beware of shallow water south of the Potomac, stay at least two miles off shore (if I remember correctly).

chrisrack · 09-11-2009, 09:07 PM

You'll be fine. Had to use my Icom handheld once in January 1999 while waterfowl hunting on a private island in the southern Chesapeake, 5 miles from any tree-ed land when I found a real need to pray to God and call the USCG. I was about 100 miles south of Activies Baltimore and I was able to communicate with them through their networked relay system of towers.

End of Story: Another waterfowler heard the transmissions and was able to assist.

Machisig · 09-18-2009, 08:50 PM

"I normally boat on an inland lake in Georgia and don't need a fixed mount VHF radio. On my small boat it will create mounting issues especially the antenna that I would like to avoid unless my handheld creates a safety issue for this one trip I plan on the Chesapeake. Your local knowledge would be appreciated."[/quote]

By golly there is an old adage," If you can't afford safety equipment then you can't afford the boat!" You did not mention how small that lake in Ga. is or if there was a Coast Guard Station there...or a Georgia Natural Resources Police patrol.
Several years ago when I lived in Ocean City, Md. and had a l9' scow...and went as far (or as bigger boats would say) as Winter Quarter Shoals..I had a 25 watt fixed base radio, depth finder and good compass in an electronics box I had made. . Getting lost in Kedges Straits or up the Nanticoke or behind any bluff....hmmm...as a few other responders opined...have a fixed mount radio and antenna...Golly, for less than $225.00 you can find an adequate 25 watt radio with an 8' whip. Your boat looks like ther is lots of room for the mounting somewhere.

You should love the Chesapeake and the gunkholing you appear to be doing in October should be a wonderful sojourn. Good luck!
Machisig

prowlersfish · 09-19-2009, 06:28 AM

Machisig. I agree 100% I would not go out in the bay without a 25 watt vhf . I have a hand held as a back up and for use at the dock . I fact I have 2 full power VHF's installed . hand helds have there place but not as your primary radio.

Fishin'VA · 09-28-2009, 06:53 PM

Are you referring to the Severn River in Mobjack Bay? If so you would be traveling out the Rapp, south past Wolf Trapp and around New Point Comfort and up into the Mobjack. The cell phone reception for this area is good, but if your phone can't handle water then your left with nothing, so take both, more is better. Just make sure you have a charger for both, otherwise there not reliable for continuous talk time. Coast Guard Station Milford Haven (Gwynn's Island) has the responsibility for this area and the opposite side of the bay (East side) is Coast Guard Station Cape Charles. Also, the Coast Guard has new VHF systems that can pinpoint distressed boaters via their VHF transmission, so even if you only get out a "MAY DAY", they can find you. Have a safe boating day

prowlersfish · 09-28-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishin'VA

Are you referring to the Severn River in Mobjack Bay? If so you would be traveling out the Rapp, south past Wolf Trapp and around New Point Comfort and up into the Mobjack. The cell phone reception for this area is good, but if your phone can't handle water then your left with nothing, so take both, more is better. Just make sure you have a charger for both, otherwise there not reliable for continuous talk time. Coast Guard Station Milford Haven (Gwynn's Island) has the responsibility for this area and the opposite side of the bay (East side) is Coast Guard Station Cape Charles. Also, the Coast Guard has new VHF systems that can pinpoint distressed boaters via their VHF transmission, so even if you only get out a "MAY DAY", they can find you. Have a safe boating day

Its not that good .

hludlam · 10-01-2009, 08:18 AM

Thanks for all the feedback on this thread. I just finished installing an ICOM m304 fixed mount VHF radio with 8' high end Shakespeare antenna with DSC connection to my GPS. I'm good to go. I'll be cruising from Urbanna to Annapolis and back next week. Really looking forward to it.

prowlersfish · 10-01-2009, 10:10 AM

Make sure you in Urbanna thur - sat as many places are closed sun-tuesday not sure about wensday , and stay at the town marina 804.758.5440 best place there IMO (and cheapest too)