Fixed VHF with handheld extension

[jmayuk]

Forgive my ignorance but I was wondering if it is possible to tether a handheld VHF to my existing fixed VHF unit?



Recently, I was approached by a Coast Guard vessel (I was sailing pretty close to a restricted area) and when they contacted me by VHF, I could hear them thanks to my cockpit-mounted speaker. But I had to heave to and go below to speak to them since my fixed VHF is in the nav station and the handset doesn't have a long cord on it. Not the end of the world but the sea was pretty rough and I would have preferred to keep sailing (or at least control the boat a bit better) as I spoke to them. It got me wondering as to my options for having the handset in the cockpit and while I could get a longer extension cord, a handheld "slaved" to the fixed set would be perfect. Does such a thing exist?

[smac999]

Most higher end radios have external mic options. . Like icom command mic.

Every sail boat should have a remote mic at the helm.

[ranger58sb]

See here:

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...it-288385.html

And an actual portable (handheld) VHF radio -- as an alternative -- doesn't need to be "slaved" or "tethered" to anything; it's a viable stand-alone radio, especially for short distances.

-Chris

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by ranger58sb

See here:

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...it-288385.html

And an actual portable (handheld) VHF radio -- as an alternative -- doesn't need to be "slaved" or "tethered" to anything; it's a viable stand-alone radio, especially for short distances.

-Chris

Indeed. It's not a phone -- that is, it's not point-to-point like a phone. So if you get called by someone it doesn't matter what radio you answer with. A handheld in the cockpit will work fine for this, but even better is a remote mike wired to the main VHF radio.