Handheld VHF - 3 Watt or 5/6Watt?

[Little Rascal]

Either way I think I understand what was meant...

And since the liklihood is that I would be communicating with larger vessels or VTS then it's their antena height that's going to be more relevent to my handheld range... isn't it?

 

[Elemental]

Either way I think I understand what was meant...

And since the liklihood is that I would be communicating with larger vessels or VTS then it's their antena height that's going to be more relevent to my handheld range... isn't it?

Yes.

 

[Kelpie]

My first VHF, when my only boat was a Wayfarer, was a £50 Cobra. After a couple of years it just stopped working, and that was that. Not very impressive.
I found a SH270E on eBay for under £50- more power, submersible, feels much more durable. So maybe going second hand is the way to go?

The other thing is to consider a fixed VHF- you can get a 25w DSC set for about £80 which seems stupendous value for money compared to a handheld.