I am curious to hear your recommendations for a handheld VHF. A friend plans to purchase one and wants to know which one to buy. Icom? Apelco? or Standard. I have an Apelco that I like and want to know what your experience has been.
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Standard here.
Wayne: We have a Standard and use it for hailing the bridges and close distance work. Have had it for about 4-5 years without any problems. They have just introduced a new one that is submersible <haha>, but who knows. Check past reviews from Practical Sailor for their recommendations too.
Wayne: We have a Standard and use it for hailing the bridges and close distance work. Have had it for about 4-5 years without any problems. They have just introduced a new one that is submersible <haha>, but who knows. Check past reviews from Practical Sailor for their recommendations too.
Standard experience
We have a Standard hnadheld unit that we bought last year from West Marine. It works very well, especially for close work. We keep it out in all kinds of weather and it does appear to be "weatherproof". We actually use it more than the main unit, which is more powerful and clear, but is not always so convenient!
We have a Standard hnadheld unit that we bought last year from West Marine. It works very well, especially for close work. We keep it out in all kinds of weather and it does appear to be "weatherproof". We actually use it more than the main unit, which is more powerful and clear, but is not always so convenient!
I like Ike!
Wayne, I've always been impressed with Icom's quality and features. My M1A handheld has never given a moment's problem and will use AA size batteries should the NiCads go down. Mark Kissel s/v Kittiwake H240
Wayne, I've always been impressed with Icom's quality and features. My M1A handheld has never given a moment's problem and will use AA size batteries should the NiCads go down. Mark Kissel s/v Kittiwake H240
Biased
I have a Raytheon 100 hand held. This has worked in every condition. Including some really nasty storms, and I keep in on deck, within earshot. It came in really handy when all my electronics got fried from a lightining hit. But even though I say its a wonderful product, I work for Raytheon and get a nice discount,
so I have never used anything else. Torrence J. Jenkins Flash H26.5
I have a Raytheon 100 hand held. This has worked in every condition. Including some really nasty storms, and I keep in on deck, within earshot. It came in really handy when all my electronics got fried from a lightining hit. But even though I say its a wonderful product, I work for Raytheon and get a nice discount,
so I have never used anything else. Torrence J. Jenkins Flash H26.5Versatility & Capability not desirability
Whatever one You choose, make sure the antenna comes off and a coaxial cable adapter can be placed on, and with a length of coax, a vhf switch You now have the ability to reach farther, because you're using Your mast antenna which is located about 40 above your head not 4" above you ear, the cost: an additional $35.00, why would you need it, well if your base unit craps out or gets hit with a jolt from the heavens, you have the ability and versatility to hook it up and reach up to 25 miles with the portable, which as a hand held cand only pick up about 7 miles.
Whatever one You choose, make sure the antenna comes off and a coaxial cable adapter can be placed on, and with a length of coax, a vhf switch You now have the ability to reach farther, because you're using Your mast antenna which is located about 40 above your head not 4" above you ear, the cost: an additional $35.00, why would you need it, well if your base unit craps out or gets hit with a jolt from the heavens, you have the ability and versatility to hook it up and reach up to 25 miles with the portable, which as a hand held cand only pick up about 7 miles.
Apelco by all means
I have an apelco 520 handheld which workks great. The reasons i bought it was: submersible(waterproof), NiCad battery can be recharged by 120v AC or 12v DC, can also use AA alkaline batteries. It also has a three year warranty. It alsop is capable of monitoring more than one channel as well as scan and seek capabilities. I noticed another response mentioned about an antenna conector in case your primary radio failed, maybe its overkill but I have two fixed vhf radios on my hunter 40, both are apelco, one at the nav station with a mast top mounted antenna and the other in the cockpit with a sternrail mounted antenna.
I have an apelco 520 handheld which workks great. The reasons i bought it was: submersible(waterproof), NiCad battery can be recharged by 120v AC or 12v DC, can also use AA alkaline batteries. It also has a three year warranty. It alsop is capable of monitoring more than one channel as well as scan and seek capabilities. I noticed another response mentioned about an antenna conector in case your primary radio failed, maybe its overkill but I have two fixed vhf radios on my hunter 40, both are apelco, one at the nav station with a mast top mounted antenna and the other in the cockpit with a sternrail mounted antenna.
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