Hand Held VHF Radio connected to Mast Antenna?

[estopa]

Is it possible to operate a handheld VHF connected to a full size antenna located on the mast? I know Handheld VHF's are limited to five watts output, compared to a fixed mount unit's 25 watts, but I mostly do coastal cruising in my Oday 222 and only want to reach out like 10miles at most.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Yes, IF your hand-held has a detachable antenna. All you need is an adapter to go from your hand-held (usually a female BNC) to the mast antenna (usually a male coax).

If your hand-held does not have a detachable antenna, you are out of luck.

 

[FourPoints]

I actually came across a reccomendation recently that said you should ONLY buy handhelds with detachable antennas, and ALWAYS keep an adapter on the boat to go from the main radio to the handheld, that way in case of emergency, if you're electronics are dead, you can attach the handheld to the big antenna up top for increased range when calling a mayday.

Even on long island sound my handheld (Icom IC-M34) is not always able to reach the coast guard using the stock antenna...

 

[Allan12210]

I bought a couple of adapers at Radio Shack a number of years ago for mine. It is an adapter for PL259 (male) to BNC. You might have to hunt further if your VHF handy talkie has a mini threaded connector, but I am sure they are available.

 

[estopa]

Great thanks folks for the insight. In the off-season I plan to run a antenna up the mast and use it in case I want more range.