I guess the type of use may dictate the location of the radio. I for one have the fixed mount 25 watt VHF radio located inside the cabin, next to the companion way steps. It is adequately located to send out an emergency signal if the situation required it but it is out of reach from the helm where it may be needed to communicate to shore or other boats while underway. I usually keep a handheld unit in the cockpit for that purpose. I'm considering whether locating a 2nd fixed mount radio in the cockpit or installing a 2nd antenna in the stern rail and connecting the coax cable to the portable radio. This 3' antenna would be located atop a 5' pvc pipe for an effective antenna height of around 12' from the waterline. I'm inclining to go with the second option as I never try to establish communication with a vessel or shore I cannot see with my eyes. All I really need is to extend the range of the handheld a little so that I do not have to get up from the helm to use the fixed mount radio. I know there are automatic antenna splitters and wifi speaker/michrophones but I really like to keep things simple. Repositioning the current radio would live an ugly hole in the woodwork and require splicing and re-routing coaxial cable. I have found an adapter to install the coax cable to the handheld and this way I would keep the cable coiled in the stern rail ready to connect the handheld and have enough cable to move it around. I do have a 2nd handheld 2 watt power that I can take with me to the bow of the boat if need be. I was talking to a communications expert and he indicated the reason that VHF power was capped at 25 watts was that the signal was line of sight and the attainable range for reliable communications was mostly dictated by the height of the antenna and any excess power would be wasted. He also indicated this is the reason why handhelds were limited to 5 watts as having an antenna of only around 4' to 5' high besides trying not to fry your brains out. Although cost is not a major consideration it just so happens that choice I'm inclend for comes in at around $40 vs perhaps $200 for a new fixed mount. I plan to get started in the project this week so if anyone has any better or different ideas your comments will be appreciated. Anyways I figure this may give us a topic to chew around a little.
What do you use your VHF radio for?
- Thread starter Benny
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Get a RAM mic. You may have to buy a new VHF if you can't find one for your unit. A good RAM mic will be a good percentage in cost of the radio itself. They are still worth it in my humble opinion. I also consider a handheld a must.
The nice thing about the RAM mics is that you can usually use them as an intercom which is nice when the crew is down below with the hatch closed.
The nice thing about the RAM mics is that you can usually use them as an intercom which is nice when the crew is down below with the hatch closed.
We have a handheld which gets all of our use. The fixed mount is down below, and almost never used when underway. Hardly ever use it at all. The extra height just ain't worth the effort. heave to if you must use the down below radio when sailing.
We have a station in the cabin at the chart table where position information is available and there is arguably somewhat decent visibility. We have a full function Ram mic at the helm with a GPS Chart plotter. We have a handheld VHF transmitter and a handheld GPS receiver.
I have an ICOM fixed mount in the cabin over the nav station and a Uniden handheld I use in the cockpit, as necessary. I hardly ever use the fixed mount other than a radio check now and then to ensure it's working. My relatively low-end handheld, with 1w and 5w transmit capability, is used for just about everything. I use it with some regularity to hail other boats while cruising, ask a bridge tender to open wide for me, call a marina, and so forth. I even monitor Channel 16 now and then if the beer and fish callers have themselves under control. With all the hardware you now have, I'm not sure why you need to add anything.
An even simpler solution which you might find effective is to just buy a collapsible whip antenna which comes with a bnc connector already on it. In addition to height, one of the major limitations of a handheld lies in the rubber ducky antenna. Replacing that with one you can extend will enhance the range of the handheld while eliminating having to mount a spare antenna with a coil of coax rusting away in some damp locker.
I have a Standard Horizon in the aft cabin right within reach of the helm on my center cockpit Oday and a RAM in the forward cabin so I have the best of both worlds and there are times when down below and someone is hailing me and I can reach the RAM or listen to weather while eating, as for the main one its always on 09,16,71 as those are the most frequent channels friends use and I also have a hand held that I take in the dink while on shore, I have noticed though my friend who uses his hand held instead of using the fixed mount has had moments where he's not gotten in contact with me because of bad reception or he did not here me when I was hailing him
Main radio is mounted inside at the nav station. Have two wireless mikes that we keep in the cockpit. We also have a waterproof portable vhf in the cockpit--usually on my belt. when out with our club I keep one radio on Channel 16 and the other on the club channel. I was persuaded to get the portable unit since if the worst happens and I go into the drink, neither the main radio in the cabin or the remotes in the cockpit will do me much good.
Put me down for the fixed mount Uniden at the Nav station and the hand held in the cockpit. Use the hand held 95% of the time - mostly to moniter 16. I find the Nav station to be mostly a waste of space if its down below. I guess if you have a navigation officer it would be find. But for most of us the Nav officer is us and were either at the helm or on deck while underway. If something is out of reach at the helm its of little use for us.
My handhelds just don't have the range to hail a boat 5 miles away and I sometimes I cannot get out to boats that have hailed me. I'm hoping with this I may get the range. Warren makes a good point as probably 90% of my needs are currently covered. Most people seem to be going to Ram microphones but that would mean upgrading my fixed mount radio which I'm not ready to do now. Don, I like the idea of a collapsible antenna but I have not seen one tuned to the VHF marine frequencies. I had a feeling based on my experience that the long range fixed mounted VHfs were not getting much use and the responses so far tend to confirm it. On long trips we use our fixed mount radio more to contact marinas and other boats but when daysailing or weekending we mostly rely on the handheld. Thanks all you have definitely added to my thinking process. I think because of the relatively low cost I'm going to go with the 2nd antenna to see what kind of range is gained with the handhelds. If it does not make a significant difference then I will have purchased a spare antenna.
I'll send you a free fixed mount radio for the price of shipping if you want one. I am upgrading to a Uniden with a wireless mike for cockpit use. It also has DSC I will tie into my GPS. It is older, probably 1981, but works fine.
My theory is that falling into the dring with a portable VHF is nice, but falling in with a wireless mike and being able to call for help and trigger a DSC from the wireless mike with location, etc...is even better. I hope it has better range than my cordless phone at home LOL or it probably won't be worth the trouble.
My theory is that falling into the dring with a portable VHF is nice, but falling in with a wireless mike and being able to call for help and trigger a DSC from the wireless mike with location, etc...is even better. I hope it has better range than my cordless phone at home LOL or it probably won't be worth the trouble.
I have a fixed radio in the cockpit mounted low on the pedestal and a handheld when I am going to need it for bridges, marinas,etc. I can't see the numbers on the fixed mounted without laying on the cockpit floor. Wearing sunglasses forget it. I don't know f the PO ever used the radio. I hail on 16 using the fixed radio but reply on the handheld if we change channels. When this radio croaks I will replace it with one that has the channel numbers on the mic. PITA
In my area the radio checks are bothersome but I guess they keep BoatsUS and Seatow operators awake. You sort of wonder how many radios out there don't work based on the number of radio checks per hour. Do people check their cellphones as much?
In my area the radio checks are bothersome but I guess they keep BoatsUS and Seatow operators awake. You sort of wonder how many radios out there don't work based on the number of radio checks per hour. Do people check their cellphones as much?
BobM thanks for the offer but I think one fixed mount VHF is enough and I'm trying to keep things simple (no routing wires). I think the wireless is a great idea but do check on the range and reliability as the boat can get away from you real fast and you would wish you had the handheld. Sailm8 I believe people do check their cellphones more by talking or texting. The other day I went daysailing when a radio check request came in loud and clear. The BoatUS operator answered and the boat gave his location which was just ahead of me returning home. I wondered what would compel someone to check their radio at the end of the day. Do I infer it was not checked when they went out?
Relocated my fixed mounted radio 7 years ago to the lower right of the helm seat. The radio is water proof and been out in the rain but normally when in the slip it is covered and can be covered in a blow. I find it very handy in this position. Only ever used it to hail other boats when sailing or to ask for bridge openings. Oh, and more than once when I needed towing assistance. In other words when the boat was moving. It is very handy to have the radio in the location from where you steer the boat.
A 8' thin wire will do
For VHF channels, a 8 feet wire is about 1/2 wavelength. All you need is a plug and hoist with a halyard or clamp the insluated wire onto the backstay. You'll get pretty decent range. You can even use your 5 watt handheld to reach some good distance.
We had a masthead antenna busted during a distance race. We just hoist a 8 feet wire and got communication back. The race rule requires us to contact the Coastie every 4 hours.
Those shorter (4 feet) antenna are 1/4 wave length. In order to twist the wave back in phase, it has an inductor (coil) on the bottom to shift the phase 90 degrees. That's all.
For VHF channels, a 8 feet wire is about 1/2 wavelength. All you need is a plug and hoist with a halyard or clamp the insluated wire onto the backstay. You'll get pretty decent range. You can even use your 5 watt handheld to reach some good distance.
We had a masthead antenna busted during a distance race. We just hoist a 8 feet wire and got communication back. The race rule requires us to contact the Coastie every 4 hours.
Those shorter (4 feet) antenna are 1/4 wave length. In order to twist the wave back in phase, it has an inductor (coil) on the bottom to shift the phase 90 degrees. That's all.
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