Handheld VHF

[GaryA]

I am looking to purchase a new handheld VHF instead of mounting a unit in my new Triton. Who has the best deal for the money. I will mostly be using it for inshore fishing. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Gary

[Elusive]

Always:

1. Do a search - there are several threads on this subject. Here is one from today:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...=91860&posts=4

2. Check with the Board Vendors like BOE - great prices & service

I would adivse you to reconsider your decision to have a HH instead of a fixed unit. IMO a HH is for backup purposes only

[GaryA]

Elusive - 2/27/2006 11:22 AM

Always:

1. Do a search - there are several threads on this subject. Here is one from today:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...=91860&posts=4

2. Check with the Board Vendors like BOE - great prices & service

I would adivse you to reconsider your decision to have a HH instead of a fixed unit. IMO a HH is for backup purposes only

Actually, Fishing inshore I would use my cell phone as a first choice and the HH as a backup. Is that not good either?

Gary

[Elusive]

By calling on the VHF you will alert anyone that is nearby of your situation who may be better able to assist than whoever you call on the cell.

In an emergency, I would always use the VHF first (with DSC - connected to GPS) and the cell second or third (if a PLB or EPIRB is aboard). The HH VHF has very limited range and not a good substitute for a fixed mount VHF. They are, however, a great idea as backup (I plan on wearing mine if I'm on the boat alone along with a PLB & inflatible PFD).

You have a nice big console on your new boat that will accomodate a flush mounted unit. Get a SH or ICOM VHF (about the same price as a HH) and a top of the line 8' VHF antenna (Shakespeare or Digital). Connect it to your GPS for DSC and you have a great start for emergencies (and listeining to where the fish are biting).

[captsuperfly]

I bought this handheld from Jim at BOE and like it.
http://www.byownerelectronics.com/st...cat=321&page=1

That said, it is my backup and I also have a mounted unit. The unit i bought (also from Jim) is a PS 1000 black box VHF. The actual radio mounts inside your console and is hidden. Then you mount a small plug on the console and the mic attaches to that. All the controls are on the mic, which you can take with you.

I fly fish, and an 8' antenna gets in the way. So I mounted a three foot whip antenna from by digital antenna and the antenna pops off with a bayonet mount. It's very clean and I get good rage with it.

good luck.

[Barba]

This one is really waterproof, and have excellent ratings.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...oductId=151890

[danielb]

you can get more range from a hand held by getting an adapter that will hook up your external vhf antennae to the handheld-5 watts will get out better and the reception is clearer. Radio shack carries alot of adapters for this purpose.

[GaryA]

Actually I had a ICOM 502a on my Hydra Sport and it worked great. I had it connected to my GPS so when I transmitted it would send the coordinates along with my transmission. Maybe I will look into another one of those. I am installing a Lowrance LCX 26C HD at the helm and a X102C on the bow.

Gary

[Elusive]

Good choice. Depending on budget, check out the ICOM 504 - has all the bells & whistles. Rumored to be about $250



Gary

[robbiedon]

I have an Icom fixed and I just bought a Uniden Mystic handheld which has the gps built in to the unit. I have used it only a couple of times but it seems to work well. I thought that this would be the perfect backup because the unit doesn't have to rely on another gps to get its position for the DSC.

[capt. thunder]

I wouldn't use a handheld as my primary radio. Just for a backup.
The signal strenght and range is not as good as a fixed mount unit.