Here i are again! Thanks for the input re;depth finder.A great help.Now!Need input regarding handheld vs. fixed mount radio.Also antenna at top of mast or whip on stern rail.Probably will never get to blue water.Most likely Delaware river and bay,also Chesapeake bay.Lucky for ya'll GPS is pretty well taken care of.
Communications
- Thread starter Popeye18296
- Start date
- Status
Both
I sail a Catalina 22 out of Salem harbor and still consider myself a novice. That being said, I have a fixed radio off the 12 volt onboard battery with a mast top antenna. The mast top antenna gives greater range and the onboard battery allows the radio to be on monitoring channel 16 at all times while onboard. I also carry a handheld in my sail bag so that I have a backup and also that I have a radio with me at all times. Its not a bad idea to have both as failures seem to happen when you'd least expect.
I sail a Catalina 22 out of Salem harbor and still consider myself a novice. That being said, I have a fixed radio off the 12 volt onboard battery with a mast top antenna. The mast top antenna gives greater range and the onboard battery allows the radio to be on monitoring channel 16 at all times while onboard. I also carry a handheld in my sail bag so that I have a backup and also that I have a radio with me at all times. Its not a bad idea to have both as failures seem to happen when you'd least expect.
Both
You should have both. Mast head antenna for fixed VHF down below... runs on line of sight. Get an Icom for a hand-held in cockpit and can throw in ditch-bag. Happy transmitting/receiving...
You should have both. Mast head antenna for fixed VHF down below... runs on line of sight. Get an Icom for a hand-held in cockpit and can throw in ditch-bag. Happy transmitting/receiving...
Always have a handheld ...
A few weeks ago, I motored from our club to another about 2 miles away to drop the mast. On the way back, with mast down on deck, 25-30knt winds, large seas, the engine overheated and I had to shut it down. Once we composed ourselves and got the anchor out (only slowed us down given the depth), and judged how much time we had before ending up on a lee shore, I went below to radio for asistance .... Doh!!! .... mast down no antena!! Handheld to the rescue. Everything worked out fine. While the transmit power and distance are much lower, having a handheld as a backup should be a must. Chris
A few weeks ago, I motored from our club to another about 2 miles away to drop the mast. On the way back, with mast down on deck, 25-30knt winds, large seas, the engine overheated and I had to shut it down. Once we composed ourselves and got the anchor out (only slowed us down given the depth), and judged how much time we had before ending up on a lee shore, I went below to radio for asistance .... Doh!!! .... mast down no antena!! Handheld to the rescue. Everything worked out fine. While the transmit power and distance are much lower, having a handheld as a backup should be a must. Chris
Get both
I have a 27' with inboard diesel. We were out for a pleasant daysail 2 years ago. The wind died and it was time to start motoring home. Both the house and starting batteries were dead (due to a loose alternator wire) - as a result the installed VHF was inoperable too. I called Sea Tow on my cellphone and was finally given a jump start. Next day I spent $100 for a Uniden handheld VHF as a backup. I keep it at the helm while underway and would never leave home without it!
I have a 27' with inboard diesel. We were out for a pleasant daysail 2 years ago. The wind died and it was time to start motoring home. Both the house and starting batteries were dead (due to a loose alternator wire) - as a result the installed VHF was inoperable too. I called Sea Tow on my cellphone and was finally given a jump start. Next day I spent $100 for a Uniden handheld VHF as a backup. I keep it at the helm while underway and would never leave home without it!
West Marine Advisors also have good
information, online or in their catalogs. Basic information about the differences, and ideas like these already presented. We have both, too.
information, online or in their catalogs. Basic information about the differences, and ideas like these already presented. We have both, too.
A different option...
is to get a fixed mount Uniden Radio with their WHAM whireless microphone. We use one and the wireless mic is nice at the helm and a couple of them can be used as intercoms to talk with crew as well. The big benefit over the handheld is that you retain the full 25 watt transmit power up to about 100 yeards away from the fixed unit. FULL master radio controls are on each handset. (channel/SQL/VOL/DSC etc.) Not for everyone, but an option you should be aware of. As to the antenna...suggest a mast mount with an emercency backup antenna like this: http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=11509F
is to get a fixed mount Uniden Radio with their WHAM whireless microphone. We use one and the wireless mic is nice at the helm and a couple of them can be used as intercoms to talk with crew as well. The big benefit over the handheld is that you retain the full 25 watt transmit power up to about 100 yeards away from the fixed unit. FULL master radio controls are on each handset. (channel/SQL/VOL/DSC etc.) Not for everyone, but an option you should be aware of. As to the antenna...suggest a mast mount with an emercency backup antenna like this: http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=11509F
Cell Phone
I don't know with whom you want to communicate but a cell phone is a very reliable means for most purposes. We have a fixed and a handheld VHF but for contacting marinas even locks on the river the cell phone works well. When we were on the gulf coast we could use the cell phone several miles out. We had reliable communication from Port Saint Joe to Mobile bay. A handheld has much less range because a fixed mount is usually 25 watts with a higher attenae and a handheld usually has 5 watts. A cell phone and a handheld might be all you need for coastal near populated areas with good cell phone coverage. . Once you go blue water as others have mentioned a VHF is line of sight so you can only talk as far as the horizon.
I don't know with whom you want to communicate but a cell phone is a very reliable means for most purposes. We have a fixed and a handheld VHF but for contacting marinas even locks on the river the cell phone works well. When we were on the gulf coast we could use the cell phone several miles out. We had reliable communication from Port Saint Joe to Mobile bay. A handheld has much less range because a fixed mount is usually 25 watts with a higher attenae and a handheld usually has 5 watts. A cell phone and a handheld might be all you need for coastal near populated areas with good cell phone coverage. . Once you go blue water as others have mentioned a VHF is line of sight so you can only talk as far as the horizon.
Radios
I have a C22 , C 27 and an Irwin 33. Selling the 27. But, I have vhf and hf on both the 27 and 33. All ways mount the antenna up on top. When you need to talk its the best. I also carry a hand held too. Many times i put it in my gear if i am solo. On my 33 i have Ham gear also. so far i have never had to call for help but if needed its geat toknow i have all the means to get help when needed. Its like life jackets, only buy $5 life jackets for a $5 life and my life is worth the very best. I also carry a rail mount for my vhf, as a back up. Never and I mean never cut safty.. being Ret Mil. money is allways a problem, but get good radios and backups. May be the best money spent.
I have a C22 , C 27 and an Irwin 33. Selling the 27. But, I have vhf and hf on both the 27 and 33. All ways mount the antenna up on top. When you need to talk its the best. I also carry a hand held too. Many times i put it in my gear if i am solo. On my 33 i have Ham gear also. so far i have never had to call for help but if needed its geat toknow i have all the means to get help when needed. Its like life jackets, only buy $5 life jackets for a $5 life and my life is worth the very best. I also carry a rail mount for my vhf, as a back up. Never and I mean never cut safty.. being Ret Mil. money is allways a problem, but get good radios and backups. May be the best money spent.
DSC Too!
I have all three, a seperate functioning handheld, a Uniden 525 and the one extra Wham to go with the Uniden 525 which also has DSC (Digital Selective Calling) a must have in emergency situations. As long as you have your GPS connected to your VHF radio, one push on the red button will transmit your Long. & Lat. coordinates and expedite quick/accurate rescue. Don't leave the dock without it.
I have all three, a seperate functioning handheld, a Uniden 525 and the one extra Wham to go with the Uniden 525 which also has DSC (Digital Selective Calling) a must have in emergency situations. As long as you have your GPS connected to your VHF radio, one push on the red button will transmit your Long. & Lat. coordinates and expedite quick/accurate rescue. Don't leave the dock without it.
- Status