Electronics

[BarryL]

Hello,

VHF? Who really cares about that anymore?

I have a fixed mount unit down at the nav station and a second handset at the helm. I have a standard horizon handheld. I rarely, like really rarely, use the VHF. When I'm sailing it will be on and I will monitor channel 16. So I get to hear radio checks, fisherman talking to their buddies, the Coast Guard giving a securite message for a location very far away from me, and other information I don't care about. When I try to contact a marina for a slip assignment I get a response maybe 1/2 the time.

if I needed a new VHF I would spend $100 - $200 on a good handheld and be done with it.

What would you do with a new, high quality VHF radio?

Barry

 

[Davidasailor26]

Hello,

VHF? Who really cares about that anymore?

I have a fixed mount unit down at the nav station and a second handset at the helm. I have a standard horizon handheld. I rarely, like really rarely, use the VHF. When I'm sailing it will be on and I will monitor channel 16. So I get to hear radio checks, fisherman talking to their buddies, the Coast Guard giving a securite message for a location very far away from me, and other information I don't care about. When I try to contact a marina for a slip assignment I get a response maybe 1/2 the time.

if I needed a new VHF I would spend $100 - $200 on a good handheld and be done with it.

What would you do with a new, high quality VHF radio?

Barry

I think this one depends on where you sail. When we sailed in New Jersey VHF was pretty much just what you said. Now in the Chesapeake I think it’s more valuable. There are still plenty of radio checks and distant securite calls, but sometimes those calls are for relevant nearby hazards. We also have tugs and barges that often hail to coordinate crossings. We took a trip around the bay earlier this year and of 12 marinas I think 11 encouraged and responded promptly to hails on VHF 9 or 16.

 

[shemandr]

I have a hand held with GPS, which gives me position, course, speed, and it has duel scan and other features. I take it exclusively on daysails on the Flying Scot. I use the duel scan to monitor 16 and keep track of a race whether racing or doing RC. If I'm out on a boat I have my VHF with me even if I know there is a fixed mount on board.