Handheld VHF's from USA

TomKat · 23 June 2012, 20:44

Heading to America at the end of next week, if you buy one in USA do they work here?

SPR · 23 June 2012, 20:51

there is a good chance that it will bf locked to the USA channels,

If it can switch to international mode then maybe! to use in uk it should be CE approved.

S.

willk · 23 June 2012, 22:08

Check if it has "INT" - the International channel set. If it does, you should be fine.

I suspect that a VHF requires a CE mark to be SOLD in the UK. I'm sure visiting mariners are not breaking the law in using a non CE marked handheld?

TomKat · 23 June 2012, 22:41

Cheers, will take a good look. Probably not much cheaper but you never know can sometimes get some good deals over there.

Poly · 23 June 2012, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Check if it has "INT" - the International channel set. If it does, you should be fine.

I suspect that a VHF requires a CE mark to be SOLD in the UK. I'm sure visiting mariners are not breaking the law in using a non CE marked handheld?

Technically only on a foreign flagged vessel with appropriate licenses. As I understand it, ofcom ships radio license only covers type approved (and ce marked) sets. Ignoring the technicalities, getting any warranty support could be very difficult in the eu if it is not ce marked.

Nos4r2 · 23 June 2012, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Technically only on a foreign flagged vessel with appropriate licenses. As I understand it, ofcom ships radio license only covers type approved (and ce marked) sets. Ignoring the technicalities, getting any warranty support could be very difficult in the eu if it is not ce marked.

So could getting a 240v charger.

SPR · 23 June 2012, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

So could getting a 240v charger.

been there with cd-writer years ago!

but in plus side my new Icom 91d DSC GPS H/H arrives Tuesday ! From UK sources!

willk · 23 June 2012, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

So could getting a 240v charger.

True

TomKat · 23 June 2012, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

So could getting a 240v charger.

worth checking but most things work on switchable psu's in these days of global marketing. the warranty issue would mean it would have to be like £50 cheap!

captnjack · 23 June 2012, 23:43

Almost (all?) of the higher quality handhelds and fixed mounts sold in North America have an "INT" setting.

kerny · 24 June 2012, 07:40

Not sure about handheld vhf but when I have been in the US most of the electronics seemed to be on par with ours, but

and engine however were cheap, with great chunky looking trailers. If I didn't have to pay the duty and then get the trailer modified I would have one ship over no problem.

Max... · 24 June 2012, 08:06

A really decent Std Horizon new with warranty and EU compliance etc is only £120ish in the UK - not worth it in this case of going US I think?

Poly · 24 June 2012, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

So could getting a 240v charger.

most of the handhelds i've seen have a fairly standard psu that could be bought from marlin - but it is more expense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnjack

Almost (all?) of the higher quality handhelds and fixed mounts sold in North America have an "INT" setting.

I believe these won't have the same range of channels as a uk bought radio. e.g. 37/m1 and m2 used by sailing clubs, and some marinas etc.

gotchiguy · 24 June 2012, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I believe these won't have the same range of channels as a uk bought radio. e.g. 37/m1 and m2 used by sailing clubs, and some marinas etc.

Yes this is true. Both our fixed DSC Raymarine and non-DSC Standard Horizon HX710 are US models and they work fine on international settings. Our DSC handheld is however a UK model and so has m1/m2 which can be important to have so I would only get a US model if you already have a UK model for use on rare occasions with those channels. There can be significant savings over there, and at least with Standard Horizon there is no issue at all with compatibility between chargers etc. Make sure you get a floatable one though, the reason we have a surplus of chargers is because so many have already found their way to the bottom of the drink!

wavelength · 24 June 2012, 16:20

We have brought back fixed and h/h vhf (non dsc) radios in the past with no issues. They have all, even a cheapie, been switchable to int channels and there is very little difference twixt us/int channels anyway. From memory Ch 07 is simplex in us channels and duplex in int., no doubt others with time on their hands will tell you any others. We only once had a minor problem whilst doing a magazine test on a German rib lifeboat. Coming out of a certain marina we found that they used channel M which the german spec radio didnt have, neither did the us handheld that someone

had in their pocket. Lock operator got really shirty about it. So if you use a marina check what you need.
No problems finding a charger in the past.
To be honest its a while since I was in the US but last time didn't find the price difference was worth the inconvenience any more.

TomKat · 24 June 2012, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

We have brought back fixed and h/h vhf (non dsc) radios in the past with no issues. They have all, even a cheapie, been switchable to int channels and there is very little difference twixt us/int channels anyway. From memory Ch 07 is simplex in us channels and duplex in int., no doubt others with time on their hands will tell you any others. We only once had a minor problem whilst doing a magazine test on a German rib lifeboat. Coming out of a certain marina we found that they used channel M which the german spec radio didnt have, neither did the us handheld that someone

had in their pocket. Lock operator got really shirty about it. So if you use a marina check what you need.
No problems finding a charger in the past.
To be honest its a while since I was in the US but last time didn't find the price difference was worth the inconvenience any more.

That's great to know, like you say unlikely to be cheap enough to bother but gives me a excuse to drag the family round some boatie shops!

ncp · 24 June 2012, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomKat

That's great to know, like you say unlikely to be cheap enough to bother but gives me a excuse to drag the family round some boatie shops!

If you happen upon a West Marine, please don't pay what they're asking. Print out a couple of web pages from web vendors (the rule is that they need to have one brick & mortar store) and they'll match the price.

I know your prices can be higher. I paid $807 US for an HDS-7 (no ducer, base maps only) and balked when I heard what you guys are paying.