VHF Handheld

[RoyS]

I had a cheap Uniden (Atlantis 250) Handheld for years (maybe ten). It worked well enough but the rechargeable battery deteriorated over time and would not hold a charge. I replaced the battery once and now it needs to be replaced again and it may not be in production any more. I put that aside and bought a relatively expensive icom handheld. That radio had a recording feature so that you could replay a message that you may not have heard the first time. The first problem with that radio was it was overly complex for me with multi-function buttons. The second problem with the icom was it failed after only a couple of years of careful use and care. I will never buy icom brand again. I went back to my ancient and still functioning Uniden but the battery does not hold a charge for more than a few hours. So here is the question, fellow sailors; Which handheld do you recommend? I am only looking for basic features. I only use this to contact in sight marinas for slip assignments or launch service. I need clear sound, 5 or 6 watts broadcast power, simple intuitive operation, preferably with knobs and not multifunction buttons, and inexpensive to purchase. What say you?

 

[dlochner]

Take a look at the Standard Horizon HX210. SH has a good reputation for quality. The radio will float, handy if it is dropped overboard. Affordable at ~$100.

I also have an expensive multi-featured SH handheld that never gets used and the HX300 which is similar to the 210 that I used a lot until I upgraded my VHF to one with a wireless remote.

 

[JBP-PA]

If you know an electronics gearhead, you could get them to replace the batteries in your beloved Uniden.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

It’s not difficult to replace the batteries as suggested above - there is nothing electronically mystifying about it. The only difficult part is opening the case.
Just make sure before you bother that it isn’t the charger which is the problem - sometimes they malfunction and people assume it’s a bad battery.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I have a Standard Horizon handheld and it has the original battery for over 10 years. Still works fine. Great features, scanning, priority channels, etc. I recommend SH. YMMV.

 

[rgranger]

If you know an electronics gearhead, you could get them to replace the batteries in your beloved Uniden.

 

[smokey73]

I had an old Ray100 handheld. I sent the battery pack to a "battery rebuild service" and they made me a new one with a larger capacity. I still use it as a backup and the battery lasts as long as my newer, fancier handheld. I don't think they are still in business but if you google battery rebuild and you'll probably get a lot of results. You still use your existing charger unless you change the battery chemistry. YMMV

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Batteries plus has custom built several battery packs for me .Very reasonable prices .

 

[jviss]

I had a cheap Uniden (Atlantis 250) Handheld for years (maybe ten). It worked well enough but the rechargeable battery deteriorated over time and would not hold a charge. I replaced the battery once and now it needs to be replaced again and it may not be in production any more. I put that aside and bought a relatively expensive icom handheld. That radio had a recording feature so that you could replay a message that you may not have heard the first time. The first problem with that radio was it was overly complex for me with multi-function buttons. The second problem with the icom was it failed after only a couple of years of careful use and care. I will never buy icom brand again. I went back to my ancient and still functioning Uniden but the battery does not hold a charge for more than a few hours. So here is the question, fellow sailors; Which handheld do you recommend? I am only looking for basic features. I only use this to contact in sight marinas for slip assignments or launch service. I need clear sound, 5 or 6 watts broadcast power, simple intuitive operation, preferably with knobs and not multifunction buttons, and inexpensive to purchase. What say you?

I feel your pain. I bought a Standard Horizon HX890 a couple of years ago, and while it's feature-rich, it's too complicated to be convenient. My favorite was the HX270S, a very simple, easy to use, compact radio. Its only flaw is it's easy to accidentally turn it on in a bag or whatever and kill the battery.

I agree about Icom, mine was supposedly water resistant, but it rotted away from salt water intrusion in one year.

I like the looks of the Standard Horizon HX210 that Dave recommends, and I've seen it for $85 new.

 

[jssailem]

Which handheld do you recommend?
The one in your hand that works. For me it is the Standard Horizon I have had for 7plus years.

Expectations...

• I am only looking for basic features. I only use this to contact in sight marinas for slip assignments or launch service.
• I need clear sound, 5 or 6 watts broadcast power,... REALLY ONLY NEED 1W power to reach a marina in your line of sight. The 5-6 watts is for emergency calls when you are far far away.
• simple intuitive operation,
• preferably with knobs and not multi-function buttons, that would Increase the cost.
• and inexpensive to purchase.
• What say you?
  • Standard Horizon
    HX40 6W Ultra Compact Marine Handheld VHF Transceiver
    Priced about $120.

Ease of operation.

 

[jviss]

Which handheld do you recommend?
The one in your hand that works. For me it is the Standard Horizon I have had for 7plus years.

Expectations...

• I am only looking for basic features. I only use this to contact in sight marinas for slip assignments or launch service.
• I need clear sound, 5 or 6 watts broadcast power,... REALLY ONLY NEED 1W power to reach a marina in your line of sight. The 5-6 watts is for emergency calls when you are far far away.
• simple intuitive operation,
• preferably with knobs and not multi-function buttons, that would Increase the cost.
• and inexpensive to purchase.
• What say you?
  • Standard Horizon
    HX40 6W Ultra Compact Marine Handheld VHF Transceiver
    Priced about $120.

Ease of operation.
View attachment 218437

That radio has the multi-function buttons and scrolling screen menus, which makes it tougher to use. My old HX270S has that big, old On/OFF/Volume know right on top, and single-function buttons for channel, squelch, 16/9, scan, high/low, preset, and mem (for scan). I love its simplicity. I had a couple or three of these, I'm going to try and find the rest and resurrect them: mostly worn out rechargeable battery issues.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

If you can figure out how to take it apart yourself you might find a battery that fits.
Unless you can get the mfr. to do it the seals will likely be ineffective afterward, but given its age the seals probably shouldn’t be trusted anyway. It still should be OK for cockpit use.

 

[RoyS]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered the Standard Horizon HX210 as dlochner recommended. When I last used my hopeless icom I was at the Portsmouth (NH) Yacht club moorings in Pepperrel Cove. The Yacht Club itself is about 1/2 mile away. The launch operator reported that my broadcast was very hard to hear from my icom even on the high output setting. I switched to my old Uniden and that came through loud and clear. The launch operators there were all using the SH HX210 and despite the half mile distance they all claimed to get good reception and broadcasting with the SH HX210. I wish it had simple squelch and volume knobs instead of buttons, but I guess I will have to adapt.

 

[rgranger]

I am only looking for basic features. I only use this to contact in sight marinas for slip assignments or launch service.

Here ya go... Basic features...

 

[BigEasy]

. I wish it had simple squelch and volume knobs instead of buttons, but I guess I will have to adapt.

Roy,
Looks like knobs have gone the way of the dinosaurs as most manufacturers have eliminated them in attempting to make the units waterproof. Know what you mean, I prefer my old Uniden with the on/off, volume, & squelch knobs than my SH-HX851; however, the SH does have GPS & DSC capability.....but no knobs!

 

[jviss]

Looks like knobs have gone the way of the dinosaurs

I know, that sucks! I don't see the problem with 'waterproofing' knobs, having made underwater camera housings.

 

[Ward H]

Is DCS an important feature in a handheld? Didn't see it mentioned here.
I had a SH870 and now a SH890. I agree, much to complicated for most features. I chose those models mainly for the DSC feature over non DSC simpler radios. My crew is trained to press the red button if there is an emergency and I'm not ab le to help.

My issue is the charging contacts in the 870 and 9890 radios corrode after a couple of years. On the 870 there was enough heat from resistance due to corroded contacts when charging in the cradle the the plastic softened and the contacts backed into the housing. They would no longer charger in the cradle. I kept the 890 and use it with the AAA battery holder as a back up but it is complicated to use.
My main handheld is a remote for the fixed VHF radio but I sure would like a DSC HH that last more than a couple of years.

 

[shemandr]

... I wish it had simple squelch and volume knobs instead of buttons, but I guess I will have to adapt.

Yeah! For my SH830X the soft buttons and especially the squelch are a PITA. Dials were so easy. Anyway, the handheld vhf isn't supposed to be in the drink. Neither is your smart phone.

 

[jviss]

Yeah! For my SH830X the soft buttons and especially the squelch are a PITA. Dials were so easy. Anyway, the handheld vhf isn't supposed to be in the drink. Neither is your smart phone.

There was an incident that I heard on the radio as it unfolded. Two guys in a small motorboat, fishing south of Martha's Vineyard. They noticed the boat was down by the stern. When they opened the engine cover the boat immediately flooded. They were soon both in the water, and boat was sunk. One found a floating, waterproof VHF in the water and called for help. A large, commercial fishing boat steamed to them and got them on board. (A friend of mine knows one of the guys, and even several years later he's still too traumatized to talk about it.)

So, a waterproof, floating VHF saved their lives!

When I'm aboard alone I wear an inflatable belt pack PFD with a waterproof VHF clipped to it.

 

[jssailem]

the handheld vhf isn't supposed to be in the drink. Neither is your smart phone

But stuff happens.