Handheld portable radio

[Katmat]

Looking to see if many of you carry a backup radio & if so, what do you recommend.

Thanks

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Definitely. I would look for a floating model that is water proof (sometimes by sealed in a special bag) with the highest transmit wattage you can find / need. They typically have a high/low setting. I hang it right beside the cabin door so its accessible from either the inside or outside from the cockpit.

 

[SJI Sailor]

We keep a Standard Horizon with DSC in the emergency bag. Also we carry one of the cheapest units in the dinghy bag, just in case the dinghy dies and we need a tow, or have an emergency on shore.

Although I've never had a boat radio die, I have had the microphone break off and need replacing (probably delivery damage TBH; it was in the first month or so). And I've had a radio die when flying a Cessna. So I'm all in favor of backups.

With a handheld you can also have second officer call a marina while you monitor the main channels. Although that's more and more a cell phone thing these days.

 

[glider4]

Had our main radio fail on our 24 ft Sea Ray Sundancer clone back in 2013 arriving at Ganges Marina in bad weather. No handheld backup. Not a good experience. Went to Mouat’s next morning and bought a handheld for the rest of the cruise.
Don’t think you can go wrong with either a Icom or Standard Horizon handheld. We have owned both and liked them. Currently have the Standard Horizon HX890 with DSC and GPS. Since we don’t use shore power very often while cruising it was important for us to pick a handheld that had both a A/C and 12 volt DC charger.

 

[marksandyham]

I have a Standard Horizon HX870, floating, DSC with MMSI number loaded and a Garmin 86sci with maps and InReach. The In Reach allows for text communication when out of cell and radio range. Maps are back up for chart plotter and tablet. Only thing worse than being stranded is stranded and not know your location. I have never needed them but that is the idea behind safety equipment. Have it just in case. Someone one of our dock mates knows had to use InReach to call for a tow. Lost all 12v power and handheld was not powerful enough to communicate.

 

[Martin610]

I have carried a couple of iCom M73's for many years. Couple of reasons I have two. I don't like to take my cell phone when I'm out in the dingy. Huge hassle and maybe expense if it gets wet. No matter what kind of dry box you have, you need to take it out to use it.

The first mate will often take another another hand held to the cockpit where she's hanging out, reading, etc. She can then call me or monitor radio traffic around her as needed.

Sometimes I will drop her off at the beach while I'm out clamming or fishing. She'll call when she wants to be picked up. Probably other use cases I can't think of right now, but a hand held is a definite asset.

God forbid there was ever an electrical failure on the boat the hand held will still work.

-martin610

 

[Katmat]

Thanks for the responses, i just ordered a Standard Horizon HX870!

 

[Emerson]

I have a Standard Horizon HX870, floating, DSC with MMSI number loaded and a Garmin 86sci with maps and InReach. The In Reach allows for text communication when out of cell and radio range. Maps are back up for chart plotter and tablet. Only thing worse than being stranded is stranded and not know your location. I have never needed them but that is the idea behind safety equipment. Have it just in case. Someone one of our dock mates knows had to use InReach to call for a tow. Lost all 12v power and handheld was not powerful enough to communicate.

Almost same setup here. We keep our HX890 in a charging cradle and easy to grab and the 86sci on the dash. Great backup devices.


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