Hand Held VHF

[navis]

We have been trying to get decent reception on a Hand Held VHF ICOM radio. It appears that they are good for weather, but can not receive much else. (i.e. Channel 16). We would like to use this as a way to monitor channel 16 from the cockpit, but without decent reception it is not of much use. Any one with any ideas for improving it's reception capabilities????

Thanks....

 

[Stu Jackson]

Have you checked the squelch control?

 

[Steve Dion]

Be sure that you batteries are good. If you have a bad battery pack you probably don't have much power left.

There are some places where you can get the built in battery packs rebuilt. If you have an emergency pack (usually 3 or 4 AA batteries) you can test the radio with that too.

 

[OldCat]

What range?

We have been trying to get decent reception on a Hand Held VHF ICOM radio. It appears that they are good for weather, but can not receive much else. (i.e. Channel 16). We would like to use this as a way to monitor channel 16 from the cockpit, but without decent reception it is not of much use. Any one with any ideas for improving it's reception capabilities????

Over what range are you trying to get reception? With the hand held antenna at your height, range is limited compared to higher mounted fixed antennas often used with installed VHF units. Maybe you could try tests with a friend at close range (a few hundred yards?), then increase the range in order to quantify the situation. Without knowing the range at which you are attempting to use the unit, it is hard to know whether you have a problem.

OC

 

[Warren Milberg]

I'm about 20 miles south of you in Deale, Md. I use a fairly inexpensive Uniden hand-held VHF for weather, boat-to-boat, and boa- to-marina from my cockpit. Most of the time I do this at the low power (1 watt) setting and it works just fine. Are you sure your batteries are up to speed and that your antenna is not blocked or cracked? I can even get NOAA WX Radio on this hand-held from my home in Northern VA (I think it broadcasts from Sterling). I do not believe WX Radio requires line of sight.

 

[kenn]

... also, what model? We have a very inexpensive Cobra handheld (around $30 as a "repack" from a clearance outlet). It's not as good as our boat VHF but it still receives ch 16 from a few miles around.

 

[zeehag]

i have a standard horizon submersible--is awesome--i just need to find a charger for it--lol mine jumped into the sea......oops...the radio holds charge for loong time and i have been heard for 3-5 mi. i can pick up well, also. i have a uniden also--but i like the standard better...

 

[Velero49]

Is it set on Canadian or International chanels? It should be set to USA chanels/frequencies.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Oh, no! Sooner or later we'll be asking the OP to read the manual!

 

[DougM]

I like my ICOM handheld. The thing actually holds a charge through the entire winter. I use it primarily to call a drawbridge attendant or to talk to a harbormaster. It does well at 1 watt.

I'm sure that even at high power, because of the short antenna and being low to the surface that range would be limited. There is a way to connect it to a masthead antenna though.

 

[Brian D]

Think apples and oranges here. Wx stations are probably transmitting as higher power that your standard VHF radio. They have to provide a service a long ways out. They may also be transmitting from higher terrain or buildings. Warships, Coast Guard ships, and commercial vessels are using better radios and RF cable with minimal attenuation. The 1 watt they send to the antenna may result in 990 milliwatts hitting the antenna while on a pleasure craft, that same 1 watt could result in 1 milliwatt hitting the antenna.

It might not be your receiver, but the other boats transmitter. However, good advice above and... did you RTFM?

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I have an Icom, works fine for less than 5 miles. check the antenna, and replace if needed. or batts as others said.

you can also rig an antenna to the mast and connect to the handheld, for real distance. most cruisers have an adapter for a just incase situation.

 

[kloudie1]

I have a fine ancient Standard Horizon HX 220 .. had the battery pack rebuilt to almost double capacity by Mr. Battery about 5 years ago.. Still works fine even though it is about 20 years old.. it is good for about 6-10 miles of communication.. It used to be in the cockpit all the time but now I have a remote microphone so the handheld is in a case with the handheld Garmin.. They go on all trips with me!

 

[Paco T]

Hello,
I just got a Standard Horizon HX750s, witch has the 6W transmitter, does anyone know how far could it transmit if it is connected to the mast antenna, 30ft high, using the SMA to VHF adapter? I notice some one mention that rout in case of an emergency.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Hello,
I just got a Standard Horizon HX750s, witch has the 6W transmitter, does anyone know how far could it transmit if it is connected to the mast antenna, 30ft high, using the SMA to VHF adapter? I notice some one mention that rout in case of an emergency.

To the horizon, the formula is d = 1.17 x (square root of height 1 + square root of height 2)

That's for lights but since VHF is essentially line of sight, plus some skip, that should work.

Since it's the square root of the height you add, it ain't much on your boat.