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It really depends on terrain and distances involved. Running 5 watts into a rubber duck antenna will not get you very far unless you're on wide open water. Where I boat, surrounded by hills & small mountains, my handheld is virtually worthless as an emergency radio. I suppose it could be useful when approaching a gas dock to see if they're open and that kind of thing.

I struggle with the same thing. A fixed radio with real antenna is the best choice, but a real antenna on a bow rider, especially one less than 26', looks silly.

Shakespeare does make some small SS antennas (one example) that would be much less obtrusive, and which would work far better than a handheld. If you decide to do that, be aware that radiating 25W from an antenna right next to a person's head is not a very good idea. It would be fine for receiving and for the occasional short transmission, but if you see yourself rag chewing on a fixed mount radio, move your passengers away from the antenna.

Another compromise would be to mount an antenna like the one mentioned, and connect your handheld to it (you'd obviously need a radio with a detachable antenna). You'd still only be generating 5W output, but 5W into a real antenna is far better than 5W into a rubber duck.

Author:	Toddely [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 10:44 am ]
Post subject:	Hand held Radios ?
Hey all, just a quick question, We have an 18ft boat, We mostly run inland lakes here in Ohio and also run alot up at Lake Erie around our Lake house Island. I really don't want to mount a stationary radio w/ant. Any one carry a hand held vhf radio for safety? I have been looking at them, Just wasnt sure if I really needed one for the type of boating I do. What's your thoughts? Thanks Guys.

Author:	Alan_G_298Vista [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:06 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
I think for the boating you do the handhelds are absolutely ideal, they do work quite well. I even used only the handheld in our previous 248 as it didn't have a stationary one in it.

Author:	230 Mike [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:54 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
It really depends on terrain and distances involved. Running 5 watts into a rubber duck antenna will not get you very far unless you're on wide open water. Where I boat, surrounded by hills & small mountains, my handheld is virtually worthless as an emergency radio. I suppose it could be useful when approaching a gas dock to see if they're open and that kind of thing. I struggle with the same thing. A fixed radio with real antenna is the best choice, but a real antenna on a bow rider, especially one less than 26', looks silly. Shakespeare does make some small SS antennas (one example) that would be much less obtrusive, and which would work far better than a handheld. If you decide to do that, be aware that radiating 25W from an antenna right next to a person's head is not a very good idea. It would be fine for receiving and for the occasional short transmission, but if you see yourself rag chewing on a fixed mount radio, move your passengers away from the antenna. Another compromise would be to mount an antenna like the one mentioned, and connect your handheld to it (you'd obviously need a radio with a detachable antenna). You'd still only be generating 5W output, but 5W into a real antenna is far better than 5W into a rubber duck.

Author:	john55c [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 12:07 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
I have 2 handhelds and the fixed mount in the boat. I always have one handheld on the boat as a backup and leave the other charged at home. They work well for what I use them for, as a backup. I have broadcast and received about 4-5 miles. Realize that the Cape is pretty flat and not mountainous at all, and surrounded on 3 sides by water. For your situation, I think it makes sense. Another option (I actually have one I only used one season) is a 5' Shakespeare Lift and Lay. It doesn't have the larger ratchet mechanism, and works well for a smaller boat. I had it on a 17' Glastron Bowrider for one season before I sold the boat. It worked well and is brand new. Let me know if interested and we can work out a deal. It is in perfect condition. http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-420-VHF-Antenna-5-Feet/dp/B000LT1KRM

Author:	Toddely [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
Awesome, Thanks guys, I like both Ideas. Where we boat it is really flat and wide open. I think the rubber duck antenna will work fine, however I do like the idea of the smaller antenna's as well. Any suggestions on a hand held. Looking at the Uniden atlantis 250G. simple and had pretty good ratings. Greats price.

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Author:	230 Mike [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
Unidens are nice and have some good features. Vertex/Standard Horizon are better built.

Author:	firecadet613 [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
I've got one of these for the dinghy. http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/ ... fault.aspx Works well, not a bad price, and if it goes overboard you can find it.

Author:	LouC [ Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
Where I boat you pretty much have to have a fixed mount VHF, the portables can work well but there a lot of hills here (North Shore LI, which is the opposite of the flat South Shore) which makes the big antenna necessary. Even boats as small as 13' Whalers here have fixed mount antennas. When I had to get towed after my overheat I was able to call Boat US towing on my cell phone but its also nice to be able to hail them on Channel 16. I have a portable that I give to my son when he runs his 10' Walker Bay with the little Suzuki outboard. Once he had to call me while I was on the FW because he got into seaweed and overheated the OB. The hand held worked well enough for me to hear him loud and clear on Channel 9. We have a Standard Horizon VHF in the FW hooked up to a Garmin 441S GPS/Sounder and a Standard Horizon HX290 Handheld. Its nice to have both. I also have an older VHF on the boat as a spare that is set up so I can plug it in if the SH goes on the fritz.

Author:	Jafo4U [ Sat Aug 03, 2013 3:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Hand held Radios ?
230 Mike wrote: It really depends on terrain and distances involved. Running 5 watts into a rubber duck antenna will not get you very far unless you're on wide open water. Where I boat, surrounded by hills & small mountains, my handheld is virtually worthless as an emergency radio. I suppose it could be useful when approaching a gas dock to see if they're open and that kind of thing. I struggle with the same thing. A fixed radio with real antenna is the best choice, but a real antenna on a bow rider, especially one less than 26', looks silly. Shakespeare does make some small SS antennas (one example) that would be much less obtrusive, and which would work far better than a handheld. If you decide to do that, be aware that radiating 25W from an antenna right next to a person's head is not a very good idea. It would be fine for receiving and for the occasional short transmission, but if you see yourself rag chewing on a fixed mount radio, move your passengers away from the antenna. Another compromise would be to mount an antenna like the one mentioned, and connect your handheld to it (you'd obviously need a radio with a detachable antenna). You'd still only be generating 5W output, but 5W into a real antenna is far better than 5W into a rubber duck. Exactly why I removed my giant antenna that the dealership was so nice to install. Long story short,I had a bunch of problems with delivery and at the time didn't know the antenna was to get back at me for it. Going to purchase one at west marine tomorrow hope they have that same one it looks pretty cool.

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