vhf

Hi, I'd like to know how many of you are realy using a VHF hand held radio?
The question is olso regarding the necesity of having one this days when a cell phone in a ziplock bag can do the same.

Re: vhf

For those going offshore, crossing borders and going in international waters a must.
Do you think the Coast Guard have your phone number if they want to call you or do you have the phone number to your nearest coast guard cruiser?
And yes, I have both a fixed mounted base station as well as a hand held and use them both.

Re: vhf

I use mine on the Mississippi river for the most part, You can call barge captains and ask em when its safe to pass and talk to the lock operators if you need to go thrur the locks. Its a safety thing. If you hit something and start sinking or cut your foot open, you can put out a MAYDAY. There might be another boat 300 Yards away that could get to you in 2 minutes.. Depending on where I am on the river I can lose cell coverage cuz I am in a river valley. I know they dont really give em away, but its one of those things... Your better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

Re: vhf

Besides a cell phone, a dramatically must have one, Coast Guard, Marinas does not have your cell number nor other boaters around distress area As paultjohnson quotes and second that: Your better have it and not need it than to need it and not have it Anyway, if portable, don't forget to have it at full charge before outting.

Happy Boating

Re: vhf

Thank you all, looks that is a must have one.

Re: vhf

I have had many boats in my time in salt water mostly.
When I took the boat out I had my main radio in the boat of course but just in cast I kept an HT in a double zip locked bag. Mine ran on AA batteries and I had an extra set in the bag. YOu can operate the radio in the bag and it will not get wet.
If I had to go overboard for some reason that HT was going with me and while out in big waters of the Pacific off shore it was in a pocket of my inflatable vest just in case.
You never know if and when you will need it.
And, while the full powered radios are nice in the boat what if your battery goes bad or alternator craps out?
If you are out some distance that HT may be all you have to rely on and I would rather rely on it than a cell phone. They require cell towers to work on the radios do not.

Re: vhf

- Mobile is cool, always can just phone mum for a fetch.
- Paint your phone number in the boat with pink glitter letters and a heart. You may have a nice looking skipper near by to help you.
- iPhones can get wet, I think. Try it in your swimming pool. No need a GPS when you can googlemap.
- No need for credit cards, there's mobile paying at any shop in the sea.

Re: vhf

VHF or Cell phone really depends more on where you go boating.
There are some small lakes and rivers where you will not hear anything on VHF Marine.
Offshore in the Ocean out to 30 miles and Large Lakes and Large Rivers then a VHF is a must.
For Fixed mount VHF Marine starting in March 2011 all new units sold must have DSC Class D.
So I would not buy one with SRC 101 class.
Coast Guard task is to be able to pickup any DSC call using 1 watt form shore out to 30 miles
for the entire coast of the USA. I believe they call it Rescue 21.
Not all areas are ready yet.
For most boats the range of a fixed mount radio with a 8 foot antenna is just under 5 miles
plus the range of the other station.
So Boat to Boat is common to be almost 10 miles.
Boat to Coast Guard with their high mounted antenna can be over 80 miles in many locations.

A hand held unit range with some one standing in the boat is about 2 miles
Plus the range of the other station.

For Offshore boats I think you Should have both a Fixed VHF and a hand held.
It cheap safety Gear in my opinion.

Inland a cell phone or CB can be a better choice if your in an area where no one uses VHF.

Bad thing about a cell phone is you can not call the person close to you when you on fire or sinking.
Yes you can call 911 and likely get a Hwy Patrol who will want to know what hwy your on and
what the problem is. He will likely pass you to Police or Fire or maybe the Coast Guard.
Off shore most of the areas I fish have NO CELL PHONE coverage.

You can not call the Large Cargo Ship or Barge and make sure he sees you or ask
if he wants a Port to Port pass or Starboard to Starboard Pass.

VHF you put out a MayDay Call on Channel 16 and most boats near you with a VHF
radios should here you.
With a Fixed mount VHF with a MMSI number and connected to a GPS you can send
a DSC distress call Which will tell the Coast Guard and other vessels your position.
Coast Guard will also be able to get information about your boat.
Coast Guard will still call you back on channel 16 to find out the nature of your distress
and how many People on board.