VHF - Handheld v. Fitted

[Jinksy]

When I bought the boat just over a month ago, I felt that a handheld VHF would be more than adequate for my needs. I've since been told that even given line of sight, it is unlikely that I have a transmission range of more 5 miles (although I can receive Swansea coast guard at home which is at least 30 miles away).

Would a fitted unit give significantly more transmission/reception range?

I appreciate that they transmit at about 5 times the power but as my ariel/antenna would be at roughly the same height above sea level I assume that I wouldn't get 5 times the range. Any one know what sort of range I can expect from the respective units?

<hr width=100% size=1>This boat lark is a nightmare!

 

[BrendanS]

It's difficult to generalise, but typically fixed 25-30 miles and handheld 7-10 miles maximum (and by maximum, read pretty optimistic in most circumstances, but easily over achieved given the right weather conditions when you can receive signals from sets much futher away)

You will also be limited by the power and height of the antenna of the other vessel/station you are contacting

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[gjgm]

bear in mind transmitting and receiving arent likely the same range- you can receive the coastguard with their massive ariel, but you dont have the same advantage! Id guess HH is ok 3-5 miles.. if you dont expect to be within that range of another vessel or station, you ll feel safer with a fixed set.

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[Wiggo]

You will also be limited by the power and height of the antenna of the other vessel/station you are contacting

which is why you can hear the coastguard 30 miles away on a handheld. He's got height and power on his side, you have neither.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[Jinks]

Makes sense - Thank you all.

Any recommendations?

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[tcm]

Re: handset

handsets, there are loads of models - but in my limited experience if these do develop a serious fault of the termainlly broken kind, it's that the connections into the handset get worn/dragged/damaged, so i would try and find one with a moulded or otherwise beefy-looking connexion of the wire into the handset itself.

Portbale-wise i got an icom and they seem good. A guy from ICOM has posted hereabouts and been very helpful with questions too.

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[TrueBlue]

I've got a NASA DSC35 (I think) cheap and cheerful, sometimes available discounted.

Try the dreaded Compass

NASA's website is **Hollamby'ed** hasn't been updated for years, but they're friendly on the 'phone:-

NASA Marine Instruments
Boulton Rd
Stevenage
Hertfordshire
SG1 4QG
UK
T. +44 (0)1438 354033
F. +44 (0)1438 741498


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Stop what you're doing and wait my signal