Tahoe Q5i VHF radio

[Falcontec]

So am I looking at adding more safety features, the question is. For a 2009 Tahoe Q5i, fixed mounted VHF or just a handheld, or both? I get the arguments for both, but where would the optimal location for an antenna go? and would just a 4' antenna be suitable enough? or just stick with a reliable handheld? any thoughts or inputs would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

There really won't be much benefit to a mounted radio unless it is below deck. Vhf is line of sight and there are typically no obstructions out on the water. The no ground plane marine antennas aren't the most efficient anyways, so I'd vote handheld. Being into amateur radio, I considered mounting a radio and antenna on my Q7, but it would look dumb, there really isn't room, and the performance increase would likely be slight and maybe not noticable.

 

[southkogs]

Also depends on where you're boating. Bigger waters (ocean, Great Lakes, etc.) may want a little higher line of sight on the antenna when off shore. On the lakes I run here in TN, the handheld is about as good because the hills kill line of sight anyway.

 

[mike_i]

How far away would you need to transmit to reach someone for help? Are you on a small lake or in the ocean 25 miles offshore? If you're on a small lake a handheld would most likely work but 25 miles offshore you'd need a 25w fixed mount radio with a 6db gain 8' antenna mounter as high as possible. Give us a little more information then we won't have to guess what would be best.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

Just the thought of being in a 19.5' bowrider 25 miles off shore freaks me out. Do people actually do stuff like that?

 

[dingbat]

Just the thought of being in a 19.5' bowrider 25 miles off shore freaks me out. Do people actually do stuff like that?

Thalassophobia I take it
My first time offshore was in a 17’ tri-hull.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

Pardon my ignorance. I knew it could be done, I just didn't realize it was very common. If it were me, I'd use the money I saved on the boat for a vhf radio as backup to a sat phone and a beacon. I guess I'm just fearful though.

The fact still remains that unless the OP puts a tall mast on his boat, his radio horizon will not exceed 6-8 miles. After that you are 100% relying on the other stations elevation. If they have good elevation (large ship, coast guard tower, etc.) they very very likely have a pretty high gain antenna in which case even your power level isn't critical.

 

[dingbat]

Pardon my ignorance. I knew it could be done, I just didn't realize it was very common.

No apologizes required.....

Grew up on the coast.....don't know any better

Anyhow, where there is a will, there is a way..........a great tuna bite 25-30 miles out of the inlet generates a lot of ambition

 

[mike_i]

Just the thought of being in a 19.5' bowrider 25 miles off shore freaks me out. Do people actually do stuff like that?

Yes people do it. When I had 16' and 18' aluminum boats and less common sense I would fish 30 miles out, a few times solo.

 

[mike_i]

"The fact still remains that unless the OP puts a tall mast on his boat, his radio horizon will not exceed 6-8 miles."
Not really, It's common to be able to communicate with another boat 20 miles away with an 6db gain antenna which is mounted on my T top approx. 8' above the water line, I agree higher is better.
" If they have good elevation (large ship, coast guard tower, etc.) they very very likely have a pretty high gain antenna in which case even your power level isn't critical."
It depends on what you consider high gain. As the antenna "gain" increases the radiation pattern becomes more directional. Using a high gain antenna at high elevation may cause the signal to literally overshoot the boats at sea level. Also your power level is critical, your uplink signal needs to make it to the receiving antenna regardless of the height.

Pardon my ignorance. I knew it could be done, I just didn't realize it was very common. If it were me, I'd use the money I saved on the boat for a vhf radio as backup to a sat phone and a beacon. I guess I'm just fearful though.

The fact still remains that unless the OP puts a tall mast on his boat, his radio horizon will not exceed 6-8 miles. After that you are 100% relying on the other stations elevation. If they have good elevation (large ship, coast guard tower, etc.) they very very likely have a pretty high gain antenna in which case even your power level isn't critical.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

I don't think you understand what "radio horizon" means. I also don't believe the coastguard is going to install an antenna that will not effectively cover the water. There is a lot to antenna design and the radiation pattern can be manipulated to achieve desired results.

The facts I stated are just that, facts.

 

[mike_i]

I understand radio horizon and I understand reality. I worked with RF and antennas and other radio communications equipment for 30 years until I retired, I'm also a ham, not very active, and have a commercial license. I don't mean to get into a pissing match I'm just stating real world as I said regarding it being common to communicate 20 miles on my boat. I have an old 6db gain antenna on my roof approx 60' above sea level with a couple of bad PL 259 connectors with 60' of crappy RG8 cable and bad vswr so I have no idead what the ERP is. I'm surprised that I haven't blown the final out but I can reliably talk to boats 30 miles offshore and I'm 10 miles inland and have communicated with a few boats close to 40 offshore. I did not say nor imply that the coastguard is going to install an antenna that will not effectively cover the water. I still say the OP needs to provide more information on his situation for us to be able to help him.

 

[JimS123]

I have had a VHF since 1968. Still have one. Today, it's almost useless. Nobody where I live uses them any more. The USCG monitors them, but nobody is on there any more.

The cellphone has taken over.

Do a google search and get the phone numbers for all the agencies that you might need, i.e., CG, Towboat, etc. Then, call them if you need them. If you are offshore out of cell range, invest in a satellite phone.

VHF was of limited use even in its heyday, simply because of its short range.