Hand held VHF radio

[Katmat]

Looking to see if many people carry a hand held VHF radio on their boats.
If so is a 5 watt enough?

Thanks,
Matt Murphy

 

[baz]

I have the Cobra Marine HH600 DSC Floating VHF radio with built-in GPS receiver and Bluetooth Wireless Technology. It will switch between using 1, 3 and 6 watts for short and long range communication.

 

[scross]

We have the water resistant Standard Horizon Floating HX150 for use communicating from the dinghy or on shore and for an emergency backup if the main VHF goes down. Used it when the main VHF died approaching Ganges Marina several years ago and it helped get our slip assignment with no delay.
It’s 5 watts and is good for a mile in line of sight.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

yes

realistically, the issue is aerial height not wattage when it comes to range on these things.

floating Garmin. amazing battery life. charge it once a year.

 

[BradOwens]

We also have a floating waterproof handheld for dinghy, kayak, and backup use. 5 watts is plenty for most uses.

 

[Red Raven]

I would worry less about the power output than whether it is charged (or has good non-rechargeable batteries) and whether the the radio will be with with you and working in an emergency. A constant charge source or battery replacement annually is critical as well as being readily accessible if you need to leave the boat quickly. If you don’t have a dinghy or other quickly depolyable craft it should be waterproof and have a plan to take it with you.

Curt

 

[Spinner]

Yes! Floating waterproof handheld plus a second one in the ditch bag!

 

[Crewdog]

We keep a Standard Horizon HX-150 in the ditch bag, it's 6 years old, and while checking gear today, found out the battery has quit holding a charge.

Replacement part no is:
FNB-124LI
available at multiple online outlets.

So, check those batteries in the walkies before ya really need them for an emergency.

 

[baz]

We keep a Standard Horizon HX-150 in the ditch bag, it's 6 years old, and while checking gear today, found out the battery has quit holding a charge.

Replacement part no is:
FNB-124LI
available at multiple online outlets.

So, check those batteries in the walkies before ya really need them for an emergency.

In addition to this advice check that the hand held VHF radio can both transmit and receive. I had a 7 yr old iCom handheld radio and found out when entering a Marina and requesting a slip, they could hear me but I could not hear them. The iCom had quit receiving. 🙁 It was not worth repairing and I had to buy another VHF handheld and went for the Cobra HH600.