"Capt. JG" wrote:

"krj" wrote in message
t...
Rosalie B. wrote:

We fixed the radio mike so that we could get it from the helm (radio
was in the aft cabin). And we put the radio speakers in the cockpit
after we had an incident going through Norfolk very slowly so we would
get to the next bridge when it would be able to open, and we totally
did not hear or see a barge with a tow coming up behind us. A friend
(also behind us) called me on the radio and I heard that (because he
used my name).

snip
Doesn't anyone but me have a handheld VHF sitting in the cup holder on the
pedestal available for immediate use? Why do all that rewiring. Handhelds
are inexpensive and convenient
krj

What cup holder? We have a pocket on the side of the pedestal for a
winch handle - no cup holder. Don't really need one - neither of us
drinks coffee.

What rewiring? Our boat came with the radio mounted just inside the
aft companionway (center cockpit boat) which is right next to the helm
seat. Why should we use a handheld when we have a radio right next to
the helm which has an antenna up the mast already? The speaker is
within arms reach of the helmsman.

I always bring my handheld in my foulie pocket and typically there's a spare
handheld on the boat that is charged by shore power.

We do have a handheld but we don't use it very often. To use a
handheld, you have to hold it in your hand. That means one hand less
for doing other things.