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Random Quote: Does history record any case in which the majority was right? LL
Rather than suggesting a brand or model, please tell me what you think are important features to have, and what is not necessary.
The HH VHF will be part of the ditchbag and I do not plan on using it much, but I will probaby make sure the battery is fully charged and it transmits prior to every outing.
I feel that getting one that floats if dropped is essential.
ACR makes two of them and they are around 325.
From what I see, most radios are rated JIS-7 for waterproof integrity, however, this isn't the best. I believe the JIS-8 rating is better which I think (no expert) allows a 10 foot submersion were the JIS-7 only allows 3 feet for 30 seconds.
If I am going to get a VHF for a ditchbag, I want the best, so 300 bucks is a drop in the bucket for when you will need it the most.
I don’t see floating/sinking as an issue. The ditch bag should float when loaded, the VHF should be tethered to the ditch bag, and the ditch bag tethered to you… Waterproofing is obviously important but something you can’t rely on certifications for. Cert testing is done in a static environment. In reality, your VHF will be exposed to a dynamic environment. When tested, all ‘waterproof’ and submersible VHF’s eventually failed. Keeping the radio (and spare bats) in watertight bags is a good idea. The radio’s bag doesn’t need to be fully watertight if the radio is submersible, i.e. ok for water to wick in thru the tether line.
I think it was Powerboat Reports that did the test for the waterproof-ness of those VHFs. I’ll see if I can find it.
How far will a handheld VHF transmit at water level. Say you are floating in the water and need tot use the vhf. The higher the ant. the better but you would only be talking a foot at most. Would you get a good range at this level? I'm wanting to get one as well for a ditch bag. BUT is it really worth it? I'm thinking of getting a EPIRB and be done with it.
1. Battery life and care (easily rechargable on land [shore power/home] and via 12v charger on boat).
2. Size / weight.
To the contrary of the above reply's, my opinion is DO NOT GET (AND THEY SHOULD OUTLAW THEM) AA batteries in a Handheld Marine VHF or any other device for that matter. That is just plain old dumb!!*
Get a unit that utilizes a Lithium Ion battery pack (like the Icom M1v). They last forever, hold an amazing amount of juice for it's size and weight), can be recharged quickly, and has a very low self discharge rate. AA's get wet, leak, discharge, rust, ruin the device with acid leakage, cost a fortune, can't be replaced or recharged onboard unless you get rechargables, remove them from the unit and install in a separate charger..... FORGET IT.
Let me clarify - The unit should be capable of accepting standard batteries as a back-up to the rechargable battery. Spares can be kept in the ditch bag (not installed in the radio). A HH VHF with no/low battery life and no back-up power source is worthless.
Hand Held VHF 
