Hand held VHF

JSP · 16 October 2008, 20:58

The last time I used one of these they weren't that good. But it's a few years back now.
Are there any on the market that are a good replacement for a fixed unit?

SeaSkills · 16 October 2008, 21:05

There are some very good units on the market. Try Icom, or my favourite - Standard Horizon. However, I would say that they would be better considered good additions to a fixed set rather than a replacement (no DSC, less power, etc)

captnjack · 16 October 2008, 21:38

Many handhelds have DSC now. The floating waterproof ones are particularly attractive.

Nos4r2 · 16 October 2008, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnjack

Many handhelds have DSC now.

They don't here.

Poly · 16 October 2008, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnjack

Many handhelds have DSC now. The floating waterproof ones are particularly attractive.

I don't think there are any UK approved DSC h/helds and certainly none with a built in gps which IMHO is a key feature of DSC for distress calling.

The Standard Horizons are generally well regarded on here.

If you have (1) a battery; (2) space on/in your console; (3) somewhere sensible to put an ariel (like an a-frame) then fixed is probably preferable. Not sure how much difference you will see in range from a handheld compared to a fixed unless you can get an ariel high up.

Cost does work out about 2x as much for a similar quality fixed unit (with ariel etc) as a hand held.

martini · 16 October 2008, 21:58

I've just bought an Icom M71. Very small with very few buttons and waterproof to IPX8 for £130. It's got some really handy features like channel identification and pre-programmed squelch settings.

The price of hand helds has come down so much recently theres not much excuse for not having one really

Poly · 16 October 2008, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

The price of hand helds has come down so much recently theres not much excuse for not having one really

I think thats all relative. If you are spending 200 a day on fuel then the cost of a hand held is insignificant. If you are at the other end of the spectrum and can spend a whole day on the water for 20 quid then a hand held is still a significant investment. Especially if you also want a fixed unit, a gps, etc. Its easy for me to see why people boating on a budget just never get round to it.

martini · 16 October 2008, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I think thats all relative. If you are spending 200 a day on fuel then the cost of a hand held is insignificant. If you are at the other end of the spectrum and can spend a whole day on the water for 20 quid then a hand held is still a significant investment. Especially if you also want a fixed unit, a gps, etc. Its easy for me to see why people boating on a budget just never get round to it.

You can pick up an H/H for £70 these days, about the same price as a basic lifejacket. If your MOB on your own its money well spent. Not to mention its other uses eg back-up to your fixed unit, communicating to your shore party etc. If your really strapped for cash then buy the H/H and the put the fixed on your xmas list

JSP · 16 October 2008, 22:39

I think it will be my only option until I get an Aframe fitted.
Was looking at one of these Icom IC M71

codprawn · 16 October 2008, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

I think it will be my only option until I get an Aframe fitted.
Was looking at one of these Icom IC M71

No doubt a great VHF but so is tha HX270e - and it's a lot cheaper!!!

Poly · 16 October 2008, 22:45

Martini - not denying the value. I just notice people here make comments along the lines you did and sometimes think they have forgotten not everyone is ribbing on the same budget. especially if its a newcomer who is probably also about to fork out 100 quid on lifejackets, 50 quid on flares etc...

I agree though that there is a difficult decision if you can only afford one radio do you go for fixed or hand held kept on your person. I adopted precisely the approach you suggested but Santa didn't read my list!

BogMonster · 17 October 2008, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

You can pick up an H/H for £70 these days, about the same price as a basic lifejacket. If your MOB on your own its money well spent. Not to mention its other uses eg back-up to your fixed unit, communicating to your shore party etc. If your really strapped for cash then buy the H/H and the put the fixed on your xmas list

I agree - as I am often out on my own, after a lifejacket I think the handheld would be the next most important thing if I was on a budget, appreciate that not all parts of the world are the same but I would choose a handheld over a flare pack for down here... mine lives permanently clipped onto the lifejacket in case I go over the side because there's a good chance nobody will be around to see it and if its a breezy day the boat is likely to bugger off without me even if the killcord does work!

SeaSkills · 17 October 2008, 07:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Not to mention its other uses eg ............communicating to your shore party etc.

But not while they're ashore, of course

Jimbo · 17 October 2008, 07:49

To bring the range into line with Icom, Standard Horizon now also have a floating unit. We feel it has significant benefits over the Icom - mainly that it floats face up, with a fair proportion of the Radio visible, boosting your chances of finding it!

You can view more details on this VHF at http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/pro...ucts_id=100004, and I can supply these radios for £129.99, excluding delivery.

Jimbo · 17 October 2008, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

No doubt a great VHF but so is tha HX270e - and it's a lot cheaper!!!

The M71 units are closer in spec to the HX-500 (http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/pro...roducts_id=926) from Standard Horizon, although it's largely the presence of a Mic/Speaker socket that makes the difference.

As you say, cheaper though, the HX-270's are available for £90, the HX-500's for £125.

jyasaki · 17 October 2008, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Not sure how much difference you will see in range from a handheld compared to a fixed unless you can get an ariel high up.

5W for a handheld vs 25W for a fixed unit? Substantial difference, IMO, though they'll still both be line of sight.

Still, as an emergency unit, I can't say to pass on the handheld.

jky

codprawn · 17 October 2008, 15:50

The only snag with the floating units is that they tend to be bulkier than the normal ones so harder to fit in to a pocket.

Jimbo · 17 October 2008, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

The only snag with the floating units is that they tend to be bulkier than the normal ones so harder to fit in to a pocket.

This is true. I tend to keep mine clipped to my lifejacket belt, with a waterproof speaker mic attached so that I don't keep clipping and unclipping the radio unit itself - experience tells me that's how most are lost overboard!

willk · 17 October 2008, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

I think it will be my only option until I get an Aframe fitted.
Was looking at one of these Icom IC M71

I'm using one of those, with an external mic (mic kindly donated by another Ribnetter

). I keep it in a pocket with the mic secured by a scuba reg retainer. The extra bit of transmitting power has to be a good thing. It's had a season on the water and been wet, banged about etc. Seems to be good kit, chunky and solid.

Poly · 17 October 2008, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

5W for a handheld vs 25W for a fixed unit? Substantial difference, IMO, though they'll still both be line of sight.

But you're last point is rather important. A handheld at head height is pretty much at the same height as a fixed unit if the ariel is mounted on the console. Height is much more important than power. 5W should be enough for the sort of range that someone (especially someone new) would take a 4m rib off the coast. If there is a problem communicating I would suggest it is more likely to be a line of sight issue e.g. round a headland, than pure power.