Hand-held VHF with DSC/GPS Capability

[Kings Gambit]

Hi,

I'll be needing to up-grade my hand-held VHF to one having DSC/GPS functions soon. Hoping for "reviews" from members here who own one, or who have owned one. Usual stuff: ease of use, battery life & power, range, volume, clarity, console visibility, etc. Of course, the main idea is to be able to use it if you're in the [sea]water with it!

Thanks,

KG

 

[Rick D]

If you are doing the N2E Race...

Hi,

I'll be needing to up-grade my hand-held VHF to one having DSC/GPS functions soon. Hoping for "reviews" from members here who own one, or who have owned one. Usual stuff: ease of use, battery life & power, range, volume, clarity, console visibility, etc. Of course, the main idea is to be able to use it if you're in the [sea]water with it!

Thanks,

KG

That requirement has been waived. See the notices.

 

[Kings Gambit]

That requirement has been waived. See the notices.

Thanks, but a different race where it's still required, according to the SIs.

KG

 

[Stu Jackson]

Standard Horizon usually wins hands down.

 

[Jackdaw]

Pia and I both have Uniden MHS135s clipped to our Spinlock deckvests when going offshore. The device is small, waterproof, floats, and has GPS and DSC calling capability. I bought two when West Marine was blowing them out for 100 bucks and replacing them with the MHS250.

The units (if you can find them) are GREAT. They get often panned in reviews because they use the older single-transceiver radio that has to share DSC with regular VHF. If you have DSC scan on, you hear a slight 'click' once every two seconds while listening to VHF. It can be a bother.

But here's the deal. You can turn the feature off. I never plan on LISTENING for a DSC call on my handheld. I only plan to (if needed) MAKE one. That would be the DSC MAYDAY if I fall overboard. The radio is pefect for that.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I just ordered a Standard Horizon HX851 on Amazon, couldn't overlook the low price of $134. And I just broke my previous handheld. Supposed to be about to be replaced by a new model. Some don't like them because the functions are all push button, no knobs and operation is not intuitive. I'd used one a little and will admit to having trouble operating until I took a couple minutes to test drive.

 

[Sumner]

I just ordered a Standard Horizon HX851 on Amazon, couldn't overlook the low price of $134. And I just broke my previous handheld. Supposed to be about to be replaced by a new model. Some don't like them because the functions are all push button, no knobs and operation is not intuitive. I'd used one a little and will admit to having trouble operating until I took a couple minutes to test drive.

Thanks for the heads up. I've wanted one of SH HX851 and just a couple weeks ago low price was about $180. I just ordered one from ...

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Standard...S-P2312.aspx?gclid=COe4jbiiw8ICFUdefgodFhIAVw

the GPS Store for $120 and free shipping.

Of course this price reduction probably means they are coming out with a new model . Oh well this one has what I want so I'm happy,

Sumner

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[Jimm]

SH

Standard Horizon usually wins hands down.

AND, they provide great service. Got a problem (charger) with my HX851 repaired quickly and at a fair price from their customer service.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I just ordered a Standard Horizon HX851 on Amazon, couldn't overlook the low price of $134. And I just broke my previous handheld. Supposed to be about to be replaced by a new model. Some don't like them because the functions are all push button, no knobs and operation is not intuitive. I'd used one a little and will admit to having trouble operating until I took a couple minutes to test drive.

So, does one need a new MMSI number for the HH, or do you input the same MMSI number as on the fixed VHF? That is, can the same MMSI nuimber be on two VHFs at the same time?

 

[Jackdaw]

So, does one need a new MMSI number for the HH, or do you input the same MMSI number as on the fixed VHF? That is, can the same MMSI nuimber be on two VHFs at the same time?

Get a new one for the handheld. Beyond the legal requirement, doubling up could be confusing, and perhaps at the worst possible time.

 

[Chris Patterson]

AND, they provide great service. Got a problem (charger) with my HX851 repaired quickly and at a fair price from their customer service.

I will second that. I had a charger go south on me, and a email went out to Standard Horizon. They immediately sent me a new one no charge. Outstanding S. H.

And you people know I'm picky as hell..

 

[woodster]

best i remember you get it from boats US is that correct ?

 

[Kings Gambit]

Get a new one for the handheld. Beyond the legal requirement, doubling up could be confusing, and perhaps at the worst possible time.

Actually, that makes sense. Might wish to use DSC between the boat and the HH somewhere else; also, the HH could be far away from the boat when DSC alarm is activated--don't want the USCG helo looking for a 40' sailboat when all that might be visible is a head with some orange stuff around it! I guess the MMSI is not actually "married" to the boat, but to the VHF itself, etc.

 

[Jackdaw]

Actually, that makes sense. Might wish to use DSC between the boat and the HH somewhere else; also, the HH could be far away from the boat when DSC alarm is activiated--don't want the USCG helo looking for a 40' sailboat when all that might be visible is a head with some orange stuff around it! I guess the MMSI is not actually "married" to the boat, but to the VHF itself, etc.

And if you MOB, you want people to come to YOU, and not your boat!

 

[Sumner]

... I guess the MMSI is not actually "married" to the boat, but to the VHF itself, etc.

No to the boat and yes to the VHF. You can change the information for the MMSI including your name/vessel name and description of vessel, etc.. In the description part it is open so you could put whatever you think applies there. I just changed some of the data for mine....

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

Sumner

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[walt]

Plus.. your transmitting a GPS location (which is hopefully where you are)..

In the MOB case, I wonder what transmit distance you could count on since you have a very small antenna and its probably just above the water surface.

 

[Jackdaw]

In the MOB case, I wonder what transmit distance you could count on since you have a very small antenna and its probably just above the water surface.

Line-of-sight transmission range is the ADDITIVE height of the two antennas above ground/sea level. As long at the other one is high enough, you're golden.

 

[Gunni]

Plus.. your transmitting a GPS location (which is hopefully where you are).. In the MOB case, I wonder what transmit distance you could count on since you have a very small antenna and its probably just above the water surface.

Maybe a few miles (on Hi power), and as long as the battery lasts. So for flotilla sailing or where you have a reciprocal transceiver nearby on MOB response..possibly. And then you are relying on fellow boaters, many of whom don't even observe the radio watch regulations. I don't see this as an adequate rescue replacement for a dedicated sat-linked PLB. A PLB on your vest, and a VHF handheld on a lanyard.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Line-of-sight transmission range is the ADDITIVE height of the two antennas above ground/sea level. As long at the other one is high enough, you're golden.

Land-side radio towers are very high in So. Cal (atop mountains forming the coastal range); might have ranges beyond 60 n.mi. The issue is likely the wattage of the HH you're using; so, keep the batteries charged!

 

[Kings Gambit]

Maybe a few miles (on Hi power), and as long as the battery lasts. So for flotilla sailing or where you have a reciprocal transceiver nearby on MOB response..possibly. And then you are relying on fellow boaters, many of whom don't even observe the radio watch regulations. I don't see this as an adequate rescue replacement for a dedicated sat-linked PLB. A PLB on your vest, and a VHF handheld on a lanyard.

I think this will depend on where you are. Lots of commercial vessel traffic in So. Cal. If it (DSC alarm) goes off, I guarantee that someone out there, or ashore, will "hear" it. True, however; I find relatively few of my own boating friends monitor the VHF while underway or at anchor. I usually, but not always, leave mine on even when at anchor.

Also, I imagine that a relatively local response to a DSC alarm will get you out of that [cold] water faster than running the alarm through the satellite network first. So, I disagree--I think it can be an adequate replacement for the sat-linked PLB; perhaps superior in some circumstances.