Hand held VHF.. Another question

billy2s

billy2s

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I am pondering whether to fit a fixed set within the limited space on my RIB, or simply to keep a hand held.
My main concern is the range of hand helds - Can anyone give me advice on the sort of power I should be looking for if I go for a hand held, and what sort of range that will give me?

Not too worried if the odd one goes for a swim - its just something needed in case of emergency, and mobile signal in this area is notoriously patchy, and in any case I wouldnt consider a mobile anything more than a back up to the VHF
 
I would put a fixed set in! Fixed sets are 1 watt and 25 watt, handhelds are mainly 1 watt or 5 watt. Some are 1 watt and 2 watt - cheap Cobra at about £49 so don't buy that. There are others at that have 1 watt and 4 watt.

VHF is line of sight so being in a rib and low down don't expect much more than about 3-5 miles, and that will depend on the receiving aerial height. Saying that, my Entel 640 will tx over a fair distance, but only really to CG in the Solent.

When I'm teaching, I have a H/H attached to my life jacket and held there by the shock cord attached to a small carabiner, never lost one yet!

By asking this question I'm assuming you have not got an operators certificate - you will need one to use either and H/H or a fixed set.
 
I have a VHF licence ok.... from about 15 years back, but that part of the course covering signal strengths was not terribly well covered at the time, and is lost in the mists of time to me!
I also know I will need to upgrade this to get DSC
 
Whilst a fixed VHF will have 25 watt maximum power its range will still be limited by the height of the aeriel, so unless your rib has some kind of fixture to allow you to put the aeriel a few feet above your head the extra power will probably give little extra range than a decent handheld. Big advantage (and disadvantage) of fixed sets is DSC. Advantage, linked to GPS, is DSC distress messages automatically send your position. Disadvantages include loud alarm, and the fact that you will need to upgrade your VHF licence, if you took the exam in pre DSC days.
 
I don't think range will be an issue off the Dorset coast, unless you are heading miles off shore. I got 15 miles ok talking to Alderney on a Entel H/H.
The best option is a waterproof fixed set with the aerial mounted on an A frame as you get the DSC facility.
Second, if you don't want DSC, would be a H/H attached to an aerial mounted on an A frame.
Third a H/H.
Obviously all waterproof models!
 
Ideally, go for both.

Although some people will say how far they have got with a hand held, the time when you really need to get through is the time when you need the power. Don't skimp & buy the cheapest. A rib is a wet environment so get one that's as close to totally waterproof as you can. If you can afford thousands for a rib, you can afford a few 100 on good safety equipment. If you're diving as your profile suggests, then the most common incidents are divers being separate from their boats. This is when you need reliable comms.

Install the fixed station properly with as big an antenna as you can. The standard short yacht antennas mostly seen on ribs as well, are designed as a compromise. They can be mounted high up but can be at quite an angle if the boat's heeling over. Therefore the radiation pattern needs to be good when the antenna is far from vertical - it's doughnut shaped. Power boat antennas are longer and have a radiation pattern like a sqashed doughnut. Hence as long as they are almost vertical, they will give equivalent signal strength though they are mounted lower down.

The fixed station will also operate from the vessel's battery so charge should not be an issue. Hand helds at max power, which you will need, don't last long on transmit.

Put the hand held on you life jacket. If you go over the side when solo which is not unknown, you can call for help.

Bear in mind also the audio power & what the radio will be used for. If you expect to get called then there's little chance you'll hear anything at speed with the handheld unless you have an earpiece. A fixed station is better and a fixed station with an external horn speaker is better still.
 
I'm a RIB user through diving and powerboat teaching and use VHF exactly as described by Wooslehunter.

Look at the Icom fixed sets as they are excellent in RIBS. Handhelds are great but you can't hear them over the noise of the engine, waves, screams etc ...use both if you can as described above.
 
Even better, go for waterproof handheld, with speaker/mic which can be attached to collar of lifejacket. You'll use it far more often than fixed set, as you can hear and talk and change channels, without trying to see fixed set screen at speed, and trying to talk into it.

A really good handheld is essential though. Icom MV1 Euro ideal for this type of thing. It's send/receive range is good, has superb lithium battery, and is totally waterproof
 
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