VHF Radios

   Can anyone recommend a good waterproof handheld vhf radio please? We have tried a couple of makes but after about a year they don't seem able to last an entire day on a single charge.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Buzz Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Jun 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 101	Post Options Post Reply Quote Buzz Report Post Quote Reply Topic: VHF Radios Posted: 26 Jun 08 at 4:09pm
	Can anyone recommend a good waterproof handheld vhf radio please? We have tried a couple of makes but after about a year they don't seem able to last an entire day on a single charge.

tmoore Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Nov 07 Location: Wales Online Status: Offline Posts: 880	Post Options Post Reply Quote tmoore Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jun 08 at 4:50pm
	i think we use an i'com one at school. once we dropped one overboard and the next day picked it up from the beech and it still worked. so definately waterproof. how long they last, i dont know as we only sail in the afternoons. i would have thought mose would last a day unless in constant use etc.
	Landlocked in Africa RS300 - 410 Firefly F517 - Nutshell Micro Magic RC yacht - Eclipse

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jun 08 at 5:44pm
	The Entel 640 I think is the one we have at the SC, we trialled one from another member who had the hand mic, this was a great bit of kit but did have an issue with salt building up, so remember to wash them even if they didnt get submerged. They arent cheap but have batteries that last for ages.

Ross Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1163	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ross Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jun 08 at 10:33pm
	Dont you need a license to operate a VHF? Get UHF's and you don't!
	Ross If you can't carry it, don't sail it!

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jun 08 at 10:20am
	Yep, doesn't bother me as I have one!

English Dave Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 06 Location: Northern Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 682	Post Options Post Reply Quote English Dave Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 Jun 08 at 10:41am
	We use Icom's as well. No batteries last for ever so we just have a rolling program of replacing a couple of the radios every year (we have 8). As the radios themselves take a fair battering it isn't cost effective to just replace the batteries. Ross, UHF's are fine for inland work and personal comms. But if you are coastal your rescue boat needs to be able to coordinate with local shipping, the coastguard, harbourmaster, marina and lifeboat if need be. So you need VHF. (VHF also has better range for the same power - it's a laws of physics thing).
	English Dave Ballyholme Yacht Club (You'd think I'd be better at it by now) Hurricane 5.9 SX RS700

Buzz Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Jun 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 101	Post Options Post Reply Quote Buzz Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jul 08 at 4:05pm
	Dave you are right I think a rolling replacement program is the way to go. We have used Icoms and were happy with them but found them a bit expensive. We have to use VHF as we have four other sailing clubs in the harbour and we need to talk to each other to keep our courses separate if we are racing on the same day. We also talk to the Coastguard, pilots, lifeboat etc. You do need a VHF license. Thanks for all the good ideas.