www.iFourWinns.com

Heading out soon for our trip to NYC, up the Hudson then through the Erie Canal. I've never had a VHF radio, given that most places we've boated have cell service and I can use my BB to call ahead. I've been reading about some of the activity in NY Harbour and the Hudson where several competing local authorities have been stopping and boarding (ie harassing) just about anything that moves - so I figured I better get a VHF so that Homeland Security doesn't have an excuse to write me up.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a decent but not hugely expensive handheld unit?

_________________

2005 Sundowner
2008 Highlander V6

These two are great little radios, for the budget minded boater...

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-Atlantis-1 ... B000E99WOC

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... ew&i=90722

I have a 10 year old Uniden that still works like it was new.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I have an ICOM unit. Never used it, but good peace of mind.

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Vessels under 65ft are not required to have a VHF radio, but if you're traveling those kind of waters I would just install one.

If you want a handheld the Icom M92D is pretty much the thing to own. Quite expensive though. If you don't travel miles offshore you can install a normal VHF on the boat with a small antenna that would be nearly invisible. http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/anten ... tenna=5912

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Most handhelds a very limited in power (5 watts) and range. I would install a fixed mount (25 watts) one with a 4' antenna. The price difference is small for what you will gain. All Fixed mounts now have DCS and with your GPS. You can send out a distress in 5 secs. or less with your position, type of distress and your boat (names, phone#, Reg#, color of boat...) will be on file. So they will know what to look for.

Never depend on a cell. Boaters in the area can not hear your distress call from a cell. When out, most boater monitor 16 and will hear you to lend assistance. They will be your first resonders!

My 5 watt handheld was received 85 miles away in Milwaukee, across Lake Michigan. For the OP's use on
where he boats, a fixed mount would be overkill, and an eyesore on his boat. For Ocean boating, a fixed
mount with all the bells and whistles is recommended. In the OP's case, , unnecessary.

Buy the handheld of your choice , it will do everything you need. Trust me.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

You were TXing over a body of water with limited interference from buildings, land, airport, police, taxis and the normal RF that a big city will have. VHF is line of sight, 85m over water, sure. In a busy harbor, I don't see it.

I carry a handheld and I am lucky to get out over 5 miles in Boston Harbor with it. I would think NY would be more of a challenge. Never mind the heavy marine VHF traffic in that harbor.

Here is a link to BoatUS on this, it would help anyone on which is right for you.
http://www.boatus.com/husick/c_hheld.asp

Handheld in NY harbor will be fine. Plus, if you lose power on your boat, the fixed mount is worthless.

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2008/12/s ... _look.html

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Just curious, what are are the guvernmint regs on VHF use in the US? Do you need a license? Does anyone bother?

In Canada we have to have a restricted operators card to use a VHF legally.

Greg

_________________
2008 210SS 6.2L DTS Bravo 1 Now featuring MercMonitor w/SmartTow

If your boat is under 65 feet, no licence required. It's not required to have one under 65 feet either. Make sure to get a Class D DSC handheld.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

No license needed. Your boat Reg is your call sign. You can use your boats name too and most of us do. A lot easier than calling out your numbers.

For loss of power, thats were a dual battery set up becomes helpful. You can lose power on a handheld too. Be careful on charging them, some handhelds do not recommend them being seating on the charger for any stretch of time.

You will also need the MMSI numbers to use DSC.

free.

https://www.boatus.com/mmsi/default.asp

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I just thought of this, for a handheld to use DCS. It will need to be in its holder/cradle in order for it to get updated positions. Not a big deal, it just needs to be mounted in a handy spot. So it will need to be wied for power & data.

Honestly it's smart to have both, for one thing the antenna for a fixed mount will transmit much farther and for another having the portable as a back up is just plain smart if the boat batteries die, you can still call for help. You are boating in an area with lots of busy traffic and swift currents, as well as ocean tides. That is a very small boat for that boating area.
Where I am every boat has a fixed mount, even the smallest ones and I have 2 one for a spare that I can hook up in case the main one dies. We also have a portable for the 2 dinghys since we have a motor for them now.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II