doak
New Member
My mate is in America but will be coming home soon and has offered to bring back a handheld vhf. Does anyone know will the vhf channels be the same here as they are in the states, ie will it work here.
Buying vhf State Side
- Thread starter doak
- Start date
pvb
Well-Known Member
It\'ll work, but...
Yes, it'll work - almost without exception VHF radios have all the USA and International channels fitted, you'll just have to set it to International. Unfortunately, it won't be legal for you to own it in Europe as it won't be appropriately certified.
Yes, it'll work - almost without exception VHF radios have all the USA and International channels fitted, you'll just have to set it to International. Unfortunately, it won't be legal for you to own it in Europe as it won't be appropriately certified.
Zippysigma
Well-Known Member
I did it the other way arround and used my UK handheld when I lived in the states. From memory, they don't have the M channel on their VHF.
This gives the list, though:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm
This gives the list, though:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm
stephenh
Well-Known Member
There is no Ch.M1 (P4) or Ch.M2 (37a) on USA VHFs so you might have problems with marinas, but most are Ch.80 these days and if you go racing a lack of Ch.37a could be a problem too.
pandos
Well-Known Member
I did that, works a treat.
Except you need a handheld for the marina or racing channels.
Have an epirb as well.
Total cost less than 1/3 of price here.
Except you need a handheld for the marina or racing channels.
Have an epirb as well.
Total cost less than 1/3 of price here.
SimonJ
Well-Known Member
Re: It\'ll work, but...
Agree PVB - you will have Canadian, USA and International channels. You just select the International group. US sets are tested to US standards but I have been assured (by an ICOM rep) that if their US sets were tested to EU standards they would pass, its just that they are not certified for that particular test. After 8 years use of a US set I have not had any problem - especially when in USA and Canada!
Agree PVB - you will have Canadian, USA and International channels. You just select the International group. US sets are tested to US standards but I have been assured (by an ICOM rep) that if their US sets were tested to EU standards they would pass, its just that they are not certified for that particular test. After 8 years use of a US set I have not had any problem - especially when in USA and Canada!
Leighb
Well-Known Member
Re: It\'ll work, but...
No-one seems to have mentioned one possible snag, the charger that you will be supplied with the VHF will be for 110 volts, with US plug fitted I would expect. Unless you already have a suitable UK voltage charger for the same model of VHF this might be a problem?
No-one seems to have mentioned one possible snag, the charger that you will be supplied with the VHF will be for 110 volts, with US plug fitted I would expect. Unless you already have a suitable UK voltage charger for the same model of VHF this might be a problem?
pvb
Well-Known Member
12 volt chargers...
Almost all handhelds come with a 12volt charging lead, which is much more useful for most people.
Almost all handhelds come with a 12volt charging lead, which is much more useful for most people.
VicMallows
Well-Known Member
Re: It\'ll work, but...
You mean you don't have a permanent 110v installation in your house ? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
(It's the result of having numerous tools and appliances brought back from assignments to the US)
Vic /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
You mean you don't have a permanent 110v installation in your house ? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
(It's the result of having numerous tools and appliances brought back from assignments to the US)
Vic /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Leighb
Well-Known Member
Re: 12 volt chargers...
[ QUOTE ]
Almost all handhelds come with a 12volt charging lead, which is much more useful for most people.
[/ QUOTE ]
I guess this might be so, I have only recently had access to 12V supply, as all my previous sailing was on day racers with no electrics, but a need for handheld VHF.
However I don't recall that the last one I bought had any charger other than the mains one provided.
[ QUOTE ]
Almost all handhelds come with a 12volt charging lead, which is much more useful for most people.
[/ QUOTE ]
I guess this might be so, I have only recently had access to 12V supply, as all my previous sailing was on day racers with no electrics, but a need for handheld VHF.
However I don't recall that the last one I bought had any charger other than the mains one provided.