VHF radio..."Hand Held" or "Fixed"

[atcboy]

Hi all,<br /><br />I know nothing about VHF radio's, and have an island cabin in Georgian Bay that is 22 miles from town. I need to get a radio to communicate in an emergency (cell does not work there) and would like to get a hand held if the range will be adequate. (16' lund would look stupid with an 8' antenna)<br /><br />After a little research, the big difference I can see between a mounted radio and a Hand held is watts. Most mounted units have "25 watts" of output power, while the highest hand held unit I could find has "5 watts" of output power.<br /><br />I have used a 25 watt radio out there (someone elses boat) and I could talk to shore like they were sitting next to me. Will a hand held give me the range I am looking? (Georgian Bay is Canadian Shield, very rocky terrain....not sure how this will affect signal coverage)<br /><br />Also, does anyone know of a "hand held" unit that has more than "5 watts" of power.<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks<br />KL

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: VHF radio..."Hand Held" or "Fixed"

The "secret" to good VHF reception/transmitting is not the power of the unit so much as the antenna. And the problem of handheld units is that they have teeny little antennas. You could borrow a handheld, or take out one on trial, but the long antenna of the fixed is what helps make them so effective.<br />Put an antenna on each side of your Lund and tell people they're outriggers....

 

[suzukidave]

Re: VHF radio..."Hand Held" or "Fixed"

Shakespeare and others make shorter 4' high performance antennae if it will really get in the way but they'll cost you 2x a regular model and I'm told they are no better or maybe worse because distance above the water is key. I have a handheld for my 16'. It seemed like a good idea for the same reason you mention, no good place to mount the antennae (or stow it when trailering), and also so I can take the radio ashore out of the weather when not in use (I moor the boat on a buoy in the summer) and also so I don't have to count on my boat battery for radio power. The handhold works great as a receiver for picking up the coast guard weather etc.. but as a transmitter it's pretty iffy beyond a couple of miles. <br /><br />For Georgian Bay, you might also want to consider a cell phone. We get pretty good cell reception in BC waters between Vcr Island and the mainland right up beyond Campbell River.