vhf

fruitbat · 26 January 2009, 18:47

hi everyone, does anyone think i need a hand held radio as i generally only go out to sea no more than half a mile. i normally skirt the coast... i have a mobile with me when i am out but i am not sure this is best. any advice appreciated.

richardjawilson · 26 January 2009, 19:02

hi there. I would recommend a small handheld vhf and if you can get if you get a waterproof one even better.

mobiles do work very well for the range you are talking but not when wet which is even more likely to happen in a smaller vessel.

richard

PeterM · 26 January 2009, 19:13

I'd second the handheld idea. A mobile is almost guaranteed to pack up when you need it & you need to get through to people for them to listen . A handhled on Ch16 will make itself heard immidiately to most ,& most importantly the local coastguard .

I've just got a new std horizon 270 - very good waterproof & can fit your pocket - stick a 'waterbouy' key ring on it & it floats & flashes too !

NorthernMonkey · 26 January 2009, 19:57

If youre going to use a radio for emergency use only, then you don't need a licence.

They will work further out to sea if your engine fails and the wind blows further out

Lifeboats are all equipped with VHF direction finding equipment that can home in on the signal in poor visibility

They are normally waterproof, so if you take a swim, it will continue to work.

Since they only cost about £70, it seems silly not to have one, even on the smallest of boats.

treerat · 26 January 2009, 20:15

As others have said for what they cost - get one. It just might save your life.

Andy

m chappelow · 26 January 2009, 20:19

i would always recomend taking a handheld along ,dont forget with a mobile you are only speaking to one person ,with a vhf your speaking to who ever is listning as long as they are in range ,it also depends where you are on the coast flat beaches or with very high cliffs at least the signal will be put out to sea so that other boaters in your near area are likely to hear you and come to your aid unlike the mobile which is land based, plus you can listen out for shipping movements ,weather warnings ect ,but dont forget that you still need the free vhf transportable licence from ofcom even if only using it for emergencys, as well as the certificate of comp if you want to speak to other vessles .if you are only using it for emergencys at least get to know how to put out a proper mayday with the correct postision ect ,regards mart

martini · 26 January 2009, 22:11

Over here you get your name in the local paper if you get towed in etc and you used a mobile instead of a vhf! Buy one!!

Nos4r2 · 26 January 2009, 22:28

I'm not sure I'd bother with the Waterbuoy on a handheld-I'd get a decent lanyard instead and keep it clipped to you or buy a floating handheld.
Given the time they took to inflate on Dragons Den,by the time a Waterbuoy has inflated it'll be way past the rated waterproof depth for the radio.

chewy · 28 January 2009, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardjawilson

hi there. I would recommend a small handheld vhf and if you can get if you get a waterproof one even better.

mobiles do work very well for the range you are talking but not when wet which is even more likely to happen in a smaller vessel.

richard

Depends where the mobile mast is. Been too close to cliffs will stop the signal from getting to you.
Like someone else has said depends on the coast.
For what a handheld costs I think your best off getting one. You'll also be able to hear if anyone else is in trouble!

codprawn · 29 January 2009, 18:00

Don't forget to put your mobile phone in a small zip lock freezer bag!!!

There are only a few areas where mobile phone signal is lost but the same can go for VHF.

BruceB · 29 January 2009, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernMonkey

If youre going to use a radio for emergency use only, then you don't need a licence.

This is not true, you still need a VHF certificate and a licence to use a handheld in an emergency (or any other VHF) but in an genuine emergency you are unlikely to be prosecuted for using without these.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernMonkey

They will work further out to sea if your engine fails and the wind blows further out

I am not sure I actually agree with this, handhelds are fairly short range at a usual 5w output and small low aerial. This really depends on where in the country you are. However a VHF can be picked up by anyone close enough to you so is a better bet than a phone which is worse than useless if not in range of a base station on land.

A Standard Horizon HX270E is £74 delivered if you shop around, I bought one online last week as a backup VHF for the IOM trip.

Channel Ribs · 29 January 2009, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Over here you get your name in the local paper if you get towed in etc and you used a mobile instead of a vhf! Buy one!!

A good point, well made.