Handheld VHF

[Roy54]

Hi everyone , I have been looking at VHF radios and wondered what the range would be for a 5w. unit ?. Would surrounding terrain have an influence on range? Would it be sensible to have a fixed VHF instead ?
Thanks Roy

[Sarah]

Hi Roy, VHF is generally line of sight so the higher you can get an aerial the better (generally fixed aerials will be higher). That said it also depends on your intended use of boat....would a portable be more convenient for you? Also who is it you might wish to communicate with as the height of their aerial will affect the overall range. We discuss range on VHF courses to help people ascertain what they can expect from their setup.

[Martin]

Work on the coverage theory of line of sight for signal roy.
The higher the aerial the further you'll cover... The further you can cover with a higher aerial, the more power you'll need to reach the available range.
A fixed set at say 25watts and a large whip is always going to out perform a handheld, but if you fall out of your boat and the fixed set is unreachable......
Best option if funds allow...
1) fixed set in the boat
2) plb/vhf-dsc fitted to you
3) All the above !

Martin

[Roy54]

Hi Sarah , to be honest I like the idea of a portable unit as I don't have room on the console for much more equipment. Didn't want to buy something that wasn't up to the job though!

[Martin]

Not sure about any others Roy, but the standard horizon HX870 is a 6w handheld dsc set..
Lots of us now on the forum have them.

[ChrisParish]

The HX870 is a very good unit. You will run into line-of-sight problems before you run into range problems, I suspect.

[chris moody]

On a Sib I carry a DSC handheld VHF tethered to myself, and a second handheld VHF in a dry bag tethered to my sib. That way either myself or my crew have the means to call for assistance.

[Roy54]

I will have a look at the HX 870, thanks everyone

[Froglet]

[tempt mode]The HX890 is out now....[/tempt mode]

[chris moody]

If you don't require DSC these look good value

http://www.cactusnav.com/standard-horiz ... _116_28_29

http://www.cactusnav.com/icom-icm25-eur ... _116_28_29

If you want DSC

http://www.cactusnav.com/standard-horiz ... _116_28_29

http://www.cactusnav.com/icom-icm93d-bu ... _116_28_29

@Dom and @Sarah might be able to supply the iCom M93d at a competitive price to F-Ribs supporting members, worth asking.