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10-11-2022, 12:41
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: on our boat cruising the Bahamas and east coast
Boat: 2000 Catalina 470 #058
Posts: 1,310
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
What Jammer said. Just get a good handheld that floats!
__________________
Sailing a Catalina 470; now retired
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10-11-2022, 12:46
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#17
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Cruising the northern Bahamas until June
Boat: Leopard 40 2009
Posts: 613
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fsuklee
My natural inclination is to put way too much into this boat that I really do not need.
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Hate to tell you, but this is true for every person who owns a boat. I'm on my third, and they're getting bigger, and I still put "too much into the boat".
__________________
John Trusty
Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt." -- Eric Sevareid
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10-11-2022, 13:09
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: San Francisco
Boat: Morgan 382
Posts: 2,989
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
If the antenna is already there, I would at least run coax, and for many handhelds an adapter is available to connect it to an external antenna.
That way, if you do need it, you can connect your handheld to it. Otherwise, use the handheld as is.
__________________
-Warren
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10-11-2022, 13:16
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: La Conner, WA, USA
Boat: Atlas Pompano 21
Posts: 90
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fsuklee
I guess one way idea for putting it in is if I get a bigger boat later I could always take it with me.
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Don't count on taking a fixed VHF with you to your next boat. Once you've entered the MMSI number (which stays with the boat) into the radio, it can be impossible to change without sending the unit back to the factory.
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10-11-2022, 14:35
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#20
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Southern New Zealand
Posts: 60
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
A hand held VHF is somewhat more useful if your mast falls down!
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10-11-2022, 17:11
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#21
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: York, PA
Boat: 1968 Venture 21
Posts: 30
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uplander
A hand held VHF is somewhat more useful if your mast falls down!
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That is a terrifying thought. Also true.
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10-11-2022, 20:15
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#22
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 311
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
I have a fixed VHF for off shore range. However, while I always have it turned on down below, we normally just bring a handheld VHF into the cockpit for monitoring. This is because of the range of my fixed VHF/mast top antenna pulls in way more then I care to listen to. By monitoring the handheld in the cockpit, and keeping the squelch at a moderate level, I’m only picking reasonably nearby radio traffic and USCG broadcasts.
I agree with other comments that a handheld is more than adequate. I also like the idea of a PLB as a part of minimum compliment - especially if solo sailing.
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10-11-2022, 23:06
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#23
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Nearly an old salt
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Waterproof cell phone is probably more useful these days. Newer iPhones have sat distress functionality as well.
__________________
Interested in smart boat technology, networking and all things tech
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10-11-2022, 23:39
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#24
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,002
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by JBP
While a handheld sounds like the right solution, if you are rewiring the mast, you might pull an antenna wire while your are at it if you think you might move to bigger waters.
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I would probably just leave a chase line (thin piece of rope) in the mast.
You might not need a coax but if you decide to run something else, it can be handy to easily pull any type of wire/cable.
For your use, a handheld would be the 1st option and yes, cell can be a backup.
I haven't done it but thing with cell phones that could be handy is the share location function with google maps. Now you can send your location info electronically. Save the local CG email ahead of time (might have to dig around for it). Then when you call, you can tell the CG to check their email for details. Saves the problem of verbally relaying lat/long numbers. You can even do it every 1/2hr, so they can put together a rough idea of your drift pattern.
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11-11-2022, 03:59
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#25
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: York, PA
Boat: 1968 Venture 21
Posts: 30
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottRhodes13
Don't count on taking a fixed VHF with you to your next boat. Once you've entered the MMSI number (which stays with the boat) into the radio, it can be impossible to change without sending the unit back to the factory.
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I did not realize that. That is something to think about.
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11-11-2022, 04:18
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#26
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cruiser
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Boat: Sabre 34-1 CB, 34 feet
Posts: 341
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Buy a simple floating handheld VHF...there is a Standard Horizon for about $100.
I have a fixed and two handhelds, a rechargeable ICOM with AIS, and an older AA battery-driven model.
The bigger issue here is whether you want to go down the cell phone/smartphone path or learn traditional boat handling and navigation skills. I suggest you avoid starting with the easier all-purpose phone route and start learning traditional skills. Unfortunately, if you take the easy route, you may never learn the more challenging traditional skills. And if you graduate to large lakes, coastal passages or offshore, you could end up with many systems dependent on your phone working.
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11-11-2022, 05:15
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#27
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: York, PA
Boat: 1968 Venture 21
Posts: 30
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailor Sailor
The bigger issue here is whether you want to go down the cell phone/smartphone path or learn traditional boat handling and navigation skills. I suggest you avoid starting with the easier all-purpose phone route and start learning traditional skills. Unfortunately, if you take the easy route, you may never learn the more challenging traditional skills. And if you graduate to large lakes, coastal passages or offshore, you could end up with many systems dependent on your phone working.
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I definitely plan to get a VHF radio of some sort. Cell would be only backup.
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11-11-2022, 05:38
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#28
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Nearly an old salt
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fsuklee
I definitely plan to get a VHF radio of some sort. Cell would be only backup.
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Interesting here where I am 80% of all distress are mobile phone initiated.
__________________
Interested in smart boat technology, networking and all things tech
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18-11-2022, 06:44
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#29
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 144
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Cell phones are great. However, I have our VHF radio affixed at the companion way. Cell phones and hand held devices can easily go overboard, but it’s nice to know that the VHF is at the ready for crew in the cabin area and helmsman in the cockpit. In our little 25 footer, it seems like the best way to roll.
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18-11-2022, 07:00
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#30
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Beaufort, NC
Posts: 709
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Re: Fixed VHF Marine Radio or just Handheld?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fsuklee
yeah that is a thought. Chesapeake only an hour away. I do have the mast completely off and need to check the existing wiring to steaming light anyway.
One question...if I were to run an antenna up the mast do I just remove the one and the transom and fill in the hole?
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Since you are checking wires you might want to consider pulling all new wires while you’re at it. If you decide to go that route you may want to replace any old lighting with LED’s. Then use smaller wires. Do it right and you’ll be good for at least 10 years.
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