The Bottom End of The VHF Market..

[mlines]

And the definition of "use"?

 

[monkfish24]

Can't help wondering at the logic that says grab bag (ie the one time you really need something to work first time and well) - buy the cheapest kit going!

Good point, IMHO I've gone for cheap for it to be basic, if it's basic then you know at least a decent proportion of the rest of the money has gone into it's design and materials. Basic radio's use less power, meaning the batteries will last longer.

Except for Sod's law, there is nothing to say that a cheap handheld can not be pulled out of the bag, turned on and transmit on CH 16 any less better than one £100 more. The reliability of the equipment is much greater than 10 or even 5 years ago.

A cheap VHF is much better than having no VHF.

 

[Ruffles]

...not sure that there are too many situations where you really need that long power hugging aerial going right up the mast

The reduced range of a hand held radio is a great advantage in the Solent. My fixed VHF picks up Chichester marina with the same clarity as Haslar - when I'm in Haslar. Which isn't terribly useful.