Hand held VHF - Page 2

Nos4r2 · 17 October 2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

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.

I wouldn't bet on that. There's days when a 5w handheld won't transmit from one end of Poole Harbour to the other.

Poly · 17 October 2008, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I wouldn't bet on that. There's days when a 5w handheld won't transmit from one end of Poole Harbour to the other.

is that power or height? the harbour is quite big (miles?) and odd shaped isn't it

Nos4r2 · 17 October 2008, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

is that power or height? the harbour is quite big (miles?) and odd shaped isn't it

Probably a bit of both plus every braying moron on 25w talking boat to boat in Salterns drowning them out.

JSP · 17 October 2008, 20:29

For a fixed unit on a rib with no A frame wouldn't the console be a little low down for mounting the Ariel?

Nos4r2 · 17 October 2008, 20:45

Put a post on the transom with nav lights and ariel on it a la Hightower?

JSP · 17 October 2008, 20:55

a la Hightower?

Nos4r2 · 17 October 2008, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

a la Hightower?

http://rib.net/forum/attachment.php?...8&d=1209286773

Something like that but all on one pole?

JSP · 17 October 2008, 21:11

Ahh yeah, I've got a stainless Back ground support that could do the job. Cheers buddy.

BogMonster · 17 October 2008, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

http://rib.net/forum/attachment.php?...8&d=1209286773

Something like that but all on one pole?

Like this?

Courtesy of a kind fellow RIBnetter because I had to get rid of my A frame (which was a skanky DIY thing anyway) in order to be able to fit the aux.

codprawn · 17 October 2008, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

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.

Power has very little to do with it as you say it's all about height.

here is a chart of range of airborne VHF.

Aircraft height (feet) Maximum LOS distance (nm)
10 ----- 3.2
100 ----- 10
1000 ----- 32
5000 ----- 70
10 000----- 100

AndrewH · 17 October 2008, 23:45

Stephen

Sausages still look like they're holding up nicely

Still happy with them?

BogMonster · 18 October 2008, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Stephen

Sausages still look like they're holding up nicely

Still happy with them?

Bit like me - ain't pretty but does the job

m chappelow · 19 October 2008, 21:30

its quite common for people to asume that all handhelds max power is 5 watts ,when quite a lot are only giving out about 3 watts max power ,i run my hand held on both of my boats sib and hard fishing boat through fixed antenni, and what a difference it makes both on reciving and transmitting .

jyasaki · 20 October 2008, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

But you're last point is rather important. 5W should be enough for the sort of range that someone (especially someone new) would take a 4m rib off the coast.

Simply "off the coast" is not the problem. It would be if the CG antennae were placed, say, every 5 miles, but they're not. They're much more widely spaced, usually on hilltops. So even if you're only 3 miles offshore, you may need to transmit 25 miles or more to be heard. More power is a good thing when you actually need it.

jky

Andy JC · 20 October 2008, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

i run my hand held on both of my boats sib and hard fishing boat through fixed antenni, and what a difference it makes both on reciving and transmitting .

Does your handheld have a seperate input for an external aerial or do you un-screw the built in antenna and replace with an external?

m chappelow · 20 October 2008, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy JC

Does your handheld have a seperate input for an external aerial or do you un-screw the built in antenna and replace with an external?

yes i remove the short rubber one then i have the same fitting on the fixed wire a b.n.c .connector . its a 3 second job swapping aeriels over .

Jon Brooks · 31 October 2008, 18:34

Just to confirm a few points:-

There are, at this time, no DSC handhelds approved for use anywhere in the EU. There are a number of set that do have DSC for use outside the EU. Standard Horzion have 2 now I think inc a version of the new floating radio.

The new Standard Horizon floating radio is not 5w it is 6w and can take a speaker mic or head set. There is anoher version due soon that has bluetooth built in and will come with a waterproof headset inc!! This will be approved for UK/EU use.

When buying a radio a good indication of how good it is will be the warranty it comes with. Most of the good makes now come with 3 year warranty!!

JSP · 31 October 2008, 18:58

My Icom M71 says it has DSC, 6W, waterproof and comes with a 3 year warranty.

The Garfish · 31 October 2008, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

My Icom M71 says it has DSC, 6W, waterproof and comes with a 3 year warranty.

i fink yor imoc iz tellin yew pawkies

giv itt a slapp inn de gob.

gaRf

JSP · 31 October 2008, 21:39

The isle of man, the only place where everything doesn't have a penis-I-mean-Tail