Second-hand hand held VHF's - recommendations?

[Shakemeister]

I'm looking for recommendations for 'pre-used' hand held VHF's. Anyone got any advice, typical price range, any links etc.

Also, what happens with the MMSI number if it has one - how is it re-registered?

Ta!

 

[prv]

Also, what happens with the MMSI number if it has one - how is it re-registered?

You would need to remove the number from the radio, which can sometimes be done through a "secret" menu, sometimes by a dealer, or occasionally not at all. However, I wouldn't worry about that, because very very few handhelds have DSC, and being relatively new it's unlikely that they would crop up on the second-hand market.

Pete

 

[Kelpie]

I got my HH second hand- it's a Standard Horizon 270E- paid about £45 on eBay. Superb piece of kit. Often outperforms my fixed VHF.
I'm sure other makes/models are available of course...

 

[Oscar24]

Depends what your price range is tbh,

I picked up a nice Entel HT640 a couple of years ago second hand for £40. A nice radio which has been faultless.

Problem with second hand thou is theres no guarantees, and the battery may be on the turn.
You can pick up a decent new Hand Held for £120 and for that you get a guarantee.

IMHO would not bother with DCS on a hand held, but would pick a known brand, i.e ICOM Entel etc etc

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Be prepared to buy a new battery pack if it's a fairly old model with rechargeable batteries. It's possible that it may not hold a charge very well and you won't be able to tell when you test it out. Other than that watch out for one or two cheaper models which weren't fully waterproof (Cobra rings a bell but I could well be doing them a dis-service). Standard Horizon, ICOM and Simrad (and Entel) are all fairly solid with the caveat of batteries (and chargers if you would want more than one) still being available for the model you're looking at.

 

[prv]

Other than that watch out for one or two cheaper models which weren't fully waterproof (Cobra rings a bell but I could well be doing them a dis-service).

I have a real cheapo Midland handheld which is not waterproof. It came with a sort of shaped bag in stiff plastic, which you put it in in wet conditions. Rather tacky, but it was under £50 (new) if I remember rightly, so fair enough.

My Cobra HH325 actually feels like a well-made piece of kit, with a metal body that has survived being thrown around in the bottom of a RIB in rough water after it fell off my belt and I didn't notice (too busy hanging on!). When we stopped I found it under water in the sump below the outboard, scratched to buggery and with the battery knocked off, but when I put the battery back on it fired right up and has worked fine ever since. Cobra do make some cheap radios at the budget end of their range, but that doesn't mean they're all rubbish.

Pete

 

[l'escargot]

...Also, what happens with the MMSI number if it has one - how is it re-registered?

Ta!

The previous owner should cancel their T licence, then you apply for a new T licence in your name with the same MMSI - the MMSI number is attached to the set and not the person, just the same as with a fixed set. The existing MMSI doesn't need to be changed just because the set changes hands.

 

[Giblets]

If the OP is looking for a non-DSC HH keep an eye on the For Sale section over the weekend.

 

[lustyd]

IMHO would not bother with DCS on a hand held, but would pick a known brand, i.e ICOM Entel etc etc

It's funny how ICOM fans rarely see the benefit of DSC. Having tried one I can see why and therefore recommend Standard Horizon radios which are very easy to use

 

[Shakemeister]

Thanks everyone.