Hand Held VHF

D

dog

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Afternoon all- schools nearly out.....!

...Has anyone got any experience of handhelds for coastal use? I know the range is not a good as a fixed set for obvious reasons, ie 5w power and antenna height, says in handbook approx 3-5 miles between handhelds at sea level so that should cover me to a higher mast ashore within reason right?

Got bought mine as a pressie recently and didnt know if I should be looking at getting a fixed set as well?
 
Depends on where you go cruising...

VHF is in principle "in line sight", so higher up is better, and 25W transmission from a higher vantage point means more receivers can hear you from further away.



AHM
 
I know its the 'how long is a bit of string question'.

Mainly for use in and around Thames estuary up to Suffolk coast hopefully within sight of land for the time being! Just wary of being irresponsible by venturing out with the possibility of having innadequate kit for the job.
 
I use my hand held only as a secondary/emergency set becuase of distance problems, also battery dies at the wrong moment. I would say yes, get a fized set.
NASA offer a very cheap Fixed DSC set. My mate has one and they are excellent.

Hope this helps



Thanks

Leyton
(River Severn / Bristol Channel)
 
I know I'm gonna be flamed for this but pre-program the number of your regional Coastguard Station into your mobile phone too.

http://www.alexander-advertising.co.uk
 
Not really a "being in sight of land" question as "how far to the nearest receiver". (see last post)

For coastal cruising I would go for the fixed unit with arial high:

1) Cannot be lost overboard (unless trying really hard)
2) Better transmission and reception
3) Full channel selection

Being three good reasons that I can think of right now....

AHM
 
On the principle of multiple redundancy then yes! Fixed sets can be had relatively cheaply - e.g. you could get a second hand non DSC one which would serve for another 2 years or so. Better range and power. Keep the handheld for backup when all your electrics go phutt or your antennae falls off etc. And yes, prog Thames coastguards number into your mobile - coverage is pretty good all the way up the Essex / Suffolk coast. Number is 01255 675517.

HTH,

AJ
 
Excellent idea re CG tel no on Mobile phone - done.
If you have a H/Held VHF consider a permanent ariel and connect to your HH - better transmitting power etc. Much better if at top of mast - can easily get Thames CG if you do this in the Thames Estuary

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... :-) /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
 
Without a doubt you need to get a fixed set as well.

I have found that I would be lost without mine, here is an example of one of there uses.

Earlier this year I was in the Channel islands with a few mates and our other halves. We took the handheld with us into town, and when we had our fill of beer, we were able to call up the boat and get the girls to set the dinner table.

Excellent don't you think? and before you ask, my mobile phone doesn't work out there.
 
Re: Use of VHF

Not if he got a licence.
It now covers transportables and you can call your base station and switch to a working channel and chat away. Better still is to prearrange a working channel thus keeping ch16 clear and both do not have to listen to every transmission. Of course you should on yourmain whilst out and about bu nobody really expects you to whilst tied up in harbour.

The procedure is "pistonbroke" x 3 , this is "pistonbroke alpha" then base responds nominating working channel (unless you're already on it)

All he/she needs is a licence

Anthony
 
Re: Use of VHF

Thanks for that. Clearly the regs have changed a bit. But as you say, pistonbroke DOES need a licence. There are parallels in the car world but in this case I would be concerned that lack of licence=lack of training=incorrect procedures=potential danger to everyone else=thoroughly irresponsible IMHO of course.
 
I'm not sure how you got away with this either but not because of any licensing issue. If Ihad radio'd to the boat from the pub and suggested the wife got dinner ready, I would have been told to insert the HH VHF where the sun don't shine....

I guess that's why I'm single again! It's even easier now, I'd just eat at the pub.
 
Re: VHF ashore

Brendan

Er, I don't THINK it says that anywhere and I don't think anyone would bother if you were using it for boaty stuff anyway.

AFAIK
 
Re: VHF ashore

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.radio.gov.uk/publication/ra_info/ra385gn.htm>http://www.radio.gov.uk/publication/ra_info/ra385gn.htm</A>
see section 2.6

drummed into me during radio licence training, and features as a question in test. Also covered in ym training

any use ashore is illegal
 
Re: VHF ashore

Thank you, you are clearly correct.

I even checked the bit in the standard ship's licence
<<Licensees will be able to use an unlimited number of VHF and UHF handportables on the vessel identified in the Licence. None of the equipment covered by this licence, including safety equipment such as maritime EPIRBs and PLBs is licensed for use on land>>
- just in casebut you are right dammit

Anthony
 
Re: VHF ashore

Thanks for clarifying that. All we need to do now is wait for the RA to charge pistonbroke with up to three offences ie no ships radio licence, no operators licence, illegal operation. And then his wife can extract her retribution /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif
 
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