Best Handheld VHF?
 

" *JimH*" wrote in message
...
BTW: I have the Standard Horizon HX260S and have been happy with it. I
have seen them going for $100 on Ebay.....in fact I think I posted a link
for you on that auction.

The new model is the HX270S

http://tinyurl.com/bl3ll


Well, I just tried to buy the HX270S off ebay, but apparently someone in my
family has linked their userid and password to my credit card. So, until
the kids get home or I can find my wife, I'm stuck.

Best Handheld VHF?
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Bryan wrote:
" *JimH*" wrote in message
...
BTW: I have the Standard Horizon HX260S and have been happy with it. I
have seen them going for $100 on Ebay.....in fact I think I posted a
link for you on that auction.

The new model is the HX270S

http://tinyurl.com/bl3ll


Well, I just tried to buy the HX270S off ebay, but apparently someone in
my family has linked their userid and password to my credit card. So,
until the kids get home or I can find my wife, I'm stuck.

A word to the wise. Many sellers of supposedly new electronic merch on
eBay are selling B goods.


I have never found that to be the case.

Best Handheld VHF?
 

Bryan wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

Bryan wrote:

Any handheld VHF recommendations?

Looking for quality, functionality, affordability, ...

Which and why? And best recent price you've seen?


The internal electronics are all about the same, regardless of brand
name.

That changes the equation a bit.

Almost any major brand will be built well enough to withstand normal
use and even some abuse, so you're down to deciding how many, and
which, bells and whistles you want and which models are the most
ergonomically usable for you as an individual. Range and the degree of
water-resistance will also be major considerations.

My thoughts: Is this handheld going into a ditch bag, or intended for
use merely as a backup to a hard-wired system? In that case, the fewer
the gizmos, gadgets, fancy tricks,
and electro magics built in- the better. You wouldn't want to be
without a radio in an emergency because some peripheral, non-essential
toy feature crapped out and took another circuit down in the process.

If the handheld is going to be the primary radio aboard the boat, you
might want to opt for
some of the fancier features.......but the previous paragraph could
also apply just as
easily in that case.



Primary and ditch. Need dependable 30 NM range maximum. Need a waterproof
floater (it'll get wet if I'm floating about in my pfd while I wait for a
ride). Don't know what bells and whistles I could need.



If you are floating in your PFD and can manage to get the antenna 4 feet
above sea level, your range would be about 2-1/2 miles to the horizon.
VHF is "line of sight" so that would only increase if the receiving
antenna is pretty high and/or close to you.

Beyond that, you still need the power to transmit and receive that
distance. 30 NM is out of the question. Bet on five, tops.

Dan

Best Handheld VHF?
 

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 08 Dec 2005 16:57:31 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

Primary and ditch. Need dependable 30 NM range maximum. Need a
waterproof
floater (it'll get wet if I'm floating about in my pfd while I wait for a
ride). Don't know what bells and whistles I could need.

You ain't gonna get that with a hand held. Mile to maybe two miles in
the best of conditions even at 5 watts.

If you are that concerned about overboard and sitting and waiting, get
a EPIRB or PLB are much better choices than a radio.

Ain't gonna happen with a handheld though.

Later,

Tom

Consider me better educated vhf. Now, what's PLB.

Best Handheld VHF?
 

On 8 Dec 2005 08:11:16 -0800, wrote:

Is this handheld going into a ditch bag, or intended for
use merely as a backup to a hard-wired system?

===========================================

Important question. If going into a ditch bag, it is very important
that the radio be capable of running from alkaline batteries. The
rechargeables do not hold their charge long enough to be reliable and
you will find very few power outlets on your liferaft or in the water.

Best Handheld VHF?
 

Lord Reginald Smithers wrote:
Kevin,
With the low wattage output of a handheld you will not be able to come close
to 30 nm.
even with an external antenna.


See Bill's reply, he's right.

Best Handheld VHF?
 

Kevin,

Most handhelds will transmit power is between the ranges of 1 to 5 watts,
the 1 wattage for short distances and 5 watts longer distances. Most Fixed
mount VHF will transmit using at 25 watts of power, with a setting for low
wattage 1 - 5 watts for short distance broadcasting.

My understand is the Coast Guard will actually broadcast at a much stronger
wattage than 25 watts and will have a tall antenna placed on the tallest
land mass or building available. I have always heard that the low wattage
handhelds will be able to receive the Coast Guard broadcast without any
problems, but the Coast Guard will not be able to receive the low wattage
units for anywhere near the distance of the higher wattage units.

Kevin, if your theory is correct, why do the fixed mounted units use 25
watts, if the 5 watts are adequate to insure an adequate broadcast than can
be received from the maximum distance of the LOS based upon the
broadcasting and receiving antennas? If the 5 watts will travel just as far
as the 25 watt broadcast? Why doesn't the 1 watt broadcast travel just as
far as the 5 watt broadcast?

I am always willing to learn, so help me understand the theory of low
wattage transmission verses higher wattage transmissions.




wrote in message
oups.com...

Lord Reginald Smithers wrote:
Kevin,
With the low wattage output of a handheld you will not be able to come
close
to 30 nm.
even with an external antenna.


See Bill's reply, he's right.

Best Handheld VHF?
 

"Lord Reginald Smithers" Ask me about my driveway leading up to my manor.
wrote in message ...
Kevin,

Most handhelds will transmit power is between the ranges of 1 to 5 watts,
the 1 wattage for short distances and 5 watts longer distances. Most
Fixed mount VHF will transmit using at 25 watts of power, with a setting
for low wattage 1 - 5 watts for short distance broadcasting.

My understand is the Coast Guard will actually broadcast at a much
stronger wattage than 25 watts and will have a tall antenna placed on the
tallest land mass or building available. I have always heard that the low
wattage handhelds will be able to receive the Coast Guard broadcast
without any problems, but the Coast Guard will not be able to receive the
low wattage units for anywhere near the distance of the higher wattage
units.

Kevin, if your theory is correct, why do the fixed mounted units use 25
watts, if the 5 watts are adequate to insure an adequate broadcast than
can be received from the maximum distance of the LOS based upon the
broadcasting and receiving antennas? If the 5 watts will travel just as
far as the 25 watt broadcast? Why doesn't the 1 watt broadcast travel
just as far as the 5 watt broadcast?

I am always willing to learn, so help me understand the theory of low
wattage transmission verses higher wattage transmissions.




wrote in message
oups.com...

Lord Reginald Smithers wrote:
Kevin,
With the low wattage output of a handheld you will not be able to come
close
to 30 nm.
even with an external antenna.


See Bill's reply, he's right.




The CG has a higher antenna and better receivers?

Best Handheld VHF?
 

Kevin,
You may want to read this post.


"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 08 Dec 2005 20:24:54 GMT, "Bill McKee"
wrote:


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
wrote:
Bryan wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
Bryan wrote:
Any handheld VHF recommendations?

Looking for quality, functionality, affordability, ...

Which and why? And best recent price you've seen?

The internal electronics are all about the same, regardless of brand
name.

That changes the equation a bit.

Almost any major brand will be built well enough to withstand normal
use and even some abuse, so you're down to deciding how many, and
which, bells and whistles you want and which models are the most
ergonomically usable for you as an individual. Range and the degree
of
water-resistance will also be major considerations.

My thoughts: Is this handheld going into a ditch bag, or intended for
use merely as a backup to a hard-wired system? In that case, the
fewer
the gizmos, gadgets, fancy tricks,
and electro magics built in- the better. You wouldn't want to be
without a radio in an emergency because some peripheral,
non-essential
toy feature crapped out and took another circuit down in the process.

If the handheld is going to be the primary radio aboard the boat, you
might want to opt for
some of the fancier features.......but the previous paragraph could
also apply just as
easily in that case.

Primary and ditch. Need dependable 30 NM range maximum.

Won't happen without an external antenna.


You won't get a "dependable" 30 nautical mile range with a handheld,
period.

The CG should be able to talk with a handheld 30 miles away. Their
antennas
are tall and they have more power available. It is amazing at times how
far
away from the CG transmitter, you get reception. North of the Golden
Gate,
you get CG Monterey transmissions. You do not hear the boat, but the CG
is
loud and clear. And that is at least 60 miles distant.

It's not that unusual for you to hear USCG because they use 1KW
transmitters on tall towers with phased antennas. However, talking to
a handheld 30 miles out defies physics and the inverse square law with
regard to energy in free space.

There is a HUGE difference between talking to a boat with some height
on it's antenna ABOVE the surface of the water and attempting a chat
with somebody using a 5 watt handheld ON the surface of the water.

Without getting into a whole host of technical issues, just wave
action alone would make it impossible with the signal being
obstructed, antenna orientation with reference to the body and then
there about a bizzillion technical issues like signal ground effect,
small antennas, yada, yada, yada...

In short, it's not only a dumb idea to only rely on a handheld that
far out, it's impossible from a technical standpoint.

Best Handheld VHF?
 

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 08 Dec 2005 20:24:54 GMT, "Bill McKee"
wrote:


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
wrote:
Bryan wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
Bryan wrote:
Any handheld VHF recommendations?

Looking for quality, functionality, affordability, ...

Which and why? And best recent price you've seen?

The internal electronics are all about the same, regardless of brand
name.

That changes the equation a bit.

Almost any major brand will be built well enough to withstand normal
use and even some abuse, so you're down to deciding how many, and
which, bells and whistles you want and which models are the most
ergonomically usable for you as an individual. Range and the degree
of
water-resistance will also be major considerations.

My thoughts: Is this handheld going into a ditch bag, or intended
for
use merely as a backup to a hard-wired system? In that case, the
fewer
the gizmos, gadgets, fancy tricks,
and electro magics built in- the better. You wouldn't want to be
without a radio in an emergency because some peripheral,
non-essential
toy feature crapped out and took another circuit down in the
process.

If the handheld is going to be the primary radio aboard the boat,
you
might want to opt for
some of the fancier features.......but the previous paragraph could
also apply just as
easily in that case.

Primary and ditch. Need dependable 30 NM range maximum.

Won't happen without an external antenna.


You won't get a "dependable" 30 nautical mile range with a handheld,
period.

The CG should be able to talk with a handheld 30 miles away. Their
antennas
are tall and they have more power available. It is amazing at times how
far
away from the CG transmitter, you get reception. North of the Golden
Gate,
you get CG Monterey transmissions. You do not hear the boat, but the CG
is
loud and clear. And that is at least 60 miles distant.

It's not that unusual for you to hear USCG because they use 1KW
transmitters on tall towers with phased antennas. However, talking to
a handheld 30 miles out defies physics and the inverse square law with
regard to energy in free space.

There is a HUGE difference between talking to a boat with some height
on it's antenna ABOVE the surface of the water and attempting a chat
with somebody using a 5 watt handheld ON the surface of the water.

Without getting into a whole host of technical issues, just wave
action alone would make it impossible with the signal being
obstructed, antenna orientation with reference to the body and then
there about a bizzillion technical issues like signal ground effect,
small antennas, yada, yada, yada...

In short, it's not only a dumb idea to only rely on a handheld that
far out, it's impossible from a technical standpoint.


I would think a satellite phone would be a better bet.