handheld vhf

HDAV · 18 August 2014, 19:36

Now i know i should have a vhf but dont.... I thinkthis autumn i'll do the course and will need a radio, my time on the water is limited so i need a "good value" item, Last time i went for a decent run with my iphone in a "dry" bag it cost me £50 to get it working again.... so a second hand vhf for around £50 would be a good deal.....

Looked at Lowrance Link-2 Floating Waterproof DSC VHF with GPS - Only £179.95 - Force 4 Chandlery but its more than i want to spend what with £80 for the course and Ofcom registration.... £? so where do you find a good condition used VHF? Oh and as the battery willprobably knackered a replacement?

Also apart from calling for help and lock access and weather anythign else you can do with them?

kerny · 18 August 2014, 19:43

I would go for this one its a well proven piece of kit

Icom M71 Waterproof VHF Radio + FREE 12V Cable - Only £169.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

ashbypower · 18 August 2014, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

I would go for this one its a well proven piece of kit

Icom M71 Waterproof VHF Radio + FREE 12V Cable - Only £169.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

Agreed we've had them for years now. Although for the extra coup[le of £ Id recommend a DSC set our SH HX 851 is great.
http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/...Q#.U_JZqrmYYcA

Pikey Dave · 18 August 2014, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

Now i know i should have a vhf but dont.... I thinkthis autumn i'll do the course and will need a radio, my time on the water is limited so i need a "good value" item, Last time i went for a decent run with my iphone in a "dry" bag it cost me £50 to get it working again.... so a second hand vhf for around £50 would be a good deal.....

Looked at Lowrance Link-2 Floating Waterproof DSC VHF with GPS - Only £179.95 - Force 4 Chandlery but its more than i want to spend what with £80 for the course and Ofcom registration.... £? so where do you find a good condition used VHF? Oh and as the battery willprobably knackered a replacement?

Also apart from calling for help and lock access and weather anythign else you can do with them?

Just have a read through all the similar threads, the general consensus is buy cheap, buy twice. Especially when it comes to handhelds.

HDAV · 18 August 2014, 20:15

Thinking a secondhand icom is a better buy than a cobra..... from reading here (I know Icom are THE name in handhelds) Might be able to get one through work, but probably like most things cheaper on the interweb...

John Kennett · 18 August 2014, 20:17

Standard Horizon are also recommended, and less expensive than Icom.

ShinyShoe · 18 August 2014, 20:21

Ofcom licence is free if apply online, so that bit is good news.

Bad news is there is probably an exam fee above the course fee.

Why handheld? Are you on a SIB or a RIB? 4 times more power than a HH with a fixed set. No flat battery. 4 times power transmits twice distance. Taller aerial could also get you further. 5miles vs 20...¿

I'd choose both. But that means I'd be happy for the HH to not have DSC (although if anyone wants to give me a DSC set I won't complain...)

DO NOT buy a cobra that us IPX4 rated. there are people on here who don't rate the IPX7 cobra either but it wouldn't be worse than useless... Especially if you plan to upgrade to fixed in future and want a spare. That said shop round and u should find an ICOM or SH for little extra.

Some things to think about... Batteries. Lithium far better than NmH. If you can swap over for AA batteries that's good. Charging... Does it come with 12v lead? Can it be on and charge? Is it waterproof when charging? The latest ones use Mini/Micro USB to charge which you probably already have for phones etc... Easy to source if not...

Speaker under water... Need to shake free...

Can you replay speech.

HH DSC ... Do you need it? If so do you really need a PLB...? A HH at water level... 6miles maybe... Is there a mast or other boat in range...

HDAV · 18 August 2014, 20:24

Reason for handheld is use is on a small RIB no easy mounting or power, or use on a PWC

Thats the reason for HH, fixed is better but impractical.....

I have found a course for £80+ £60 fee or £125 inc fee

Does the RYA do a member discount on the Exam fee?

SPR · 18 August 2014, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

Reason for handheld is use is on a small RIB no easy mounting or power, or use on a PWC

Thats the reason for HH, fixed is better but impractical.....

I have found a course for £80+ £60 fee or £125 inc fee

Does the RYA do a member discount on the Exam fee?

Nope - no discount, Make sure the price includes the VHF Handbook too...

I do RYA SRC VHF Radio online course £69 including book, sit exam at local centre £60..

RYA SRC VHF Marine Radio Course

My face to face RYA SRC VHF courses are 4 max. on course, includes book , refreshments and lunch!

Scott

kerny · 18 August 2014, 20:39

I'm sure that the SH are very good but I have never owned one so I can't really give any advice on them, but I have had my icom M71 for 5 or 6 years now and the battery life is excellent.

When away for the weekends I charge it up the Thurs night to take with me and when I get back home on the Sunday I leave the radio switched on with the volume on low to completely run the battery out.

This usually takes 3 days, then when its flat I always disconnect the battery from the unit then put it away until next time.

Doing this has kept it in tip top condition and it has served me well and always lasts like from the first day I got it.

p.s. I forgot to mention I always give it a good rinse with fresh water.

Pikey Dave · 18 August 2014, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

I'm sure that the SH are very good but I have never owned one so I can't really give any advice on them, but I have had my icom M71 for 5 or 6 years now and the battery life is excellent.

When away for the weekends I charge it up the Thurs night to take with me and when I get back home on the Sunday I leave the radio switched on with the volume on low to completely run the battery out.

This usually takes 3 days, then when its flat I always disconnect the battery from the unit then put it away until next time.

Doing has kept it in tip top condition and it has served me well and always lasts like from the first day I got it.

p.s. I forgot to mention I always give it a good rinse with fresh water.

Interesting Steve, I always store mine charged.

ShinyShoe · 18 August 2014, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

I'm sure that the SH are very good but I have never owned one so I can't really give any advice on them, but I have had my icom M71 for 5 or 6 years now and the battery life is excellent.

When away for the weekends I charge it up the Thurs night to take with me and when I get back home on the Sunday I leave the radio switched on with the volume on low to completely run the battery out. .

Listening guzzles very little power. Transmit is the power hungry bit. Add GPS for DSC and you need to watch...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Interesting Steve, I always store mine charged.

Lithium ion doesn't have the same issues that NiMH does...

Poly · 18 August 2014, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

...No flat battery...

unless a flat (main engine) battery is the reason he is trying to call for help.

Quote:

there are people on here who don't rate the IPX7 cobra either but it wouldn't be worse than useless...

unless its stopped working (as they can do eventually) - when its dead its dead.

HDAV · 18 August 2014, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Lithium ion doesn't have the same issues that NiMH does...

True NiMH cells don't catch fire anywhere near as frequently

COrrect storage is tricky but heat will kill them

How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries - Battery University

This article interestingly suggests not storing flat (deep discharge can occur) or full.... but around 40%...

ShinyShoe · 18 August 2014, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

unless a flat (main engine) battery is the reason he is trying to call for help.

Small boat, small engine. Manual starting should be possible.

In my experience HH radio batteries die far more than rib engine batteries...

Quote:

unless its stopped working (as they can do eventually) - when its dead its dead.

That's useless rather than worse than. Useless ;-). Still got your little cobra that could only transmit at 3w with a following wind if you pointed it in the right direction while saying some hail Marie's? That was worse than useless! Especially as it didn't have all UK channel s on it...
Did look cute though

kerny · 18 August 2014, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Listening guzzles very little power. Transmit is the power hungry bit. Add GPS for DSC and you need to watch...

Lithium ion doesn't have the same issues that NiMH does...

That's why I'm happy with the M71... no need for GPS as I've got navionics as a back up on my mobile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

True NiMH cells don't catch fire anywhere near as frequently

COrrect storage is tricky but heat will kill them

How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries - Battery University

This article interestingly suggests not storing flat (deep discharge can occur) or full.... but around 40%...

6 years of doing what I have been doing seems to have worked well.

Not sure about running flat but I'm sure that in the instruction booklet it tells you to remove the battery when stowing away for long periods.

Maximus · 19 August 2014, 06:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Just have a read through all the similar threads, the general consensus is buy cheap, buy twice. Especially when it comes to handhelds.

Yeah!...Two's ALWAYS better than One!

Chunk · 19 August 2014, 09:16

+1 Cobra's are useless (in my opinion).

Took a floating Cobra with "Waterproof" moulded into the side in big letters with me on a MOB exercise, after a quick dunk as I went over and 5 mins in the water (but not submersed) it stopped working. Sent it back and bought the SH HX851E with DSC. No issues (to date).

keg · 02 September 2014, 10:15

I have a handheld but only on Windermere. If i start going to the coast, i will look at getting one fitted.

Ovey · 02 September 2014, 10:36

I've got an Icom M71 h/h which is a great bit of kit - it's easy to use for power setting, changing channel and calling but so complicated to set up for scans/channel naming/aquaquake function unless you use it every day so can remember what to press in what order!

But the intention was always to have that as the back-up/emergency so I've now bought a Lowrance Link 8 DSC fixed VHF - the Icom will stay in the grab bag as a ready use spare.

I'm half way through my fit of the fixed - I've fitted the antenna and run the cable through to the console, but I need to fit the radio into the console in my next bit of spare time.