Vhf radio in spain

[DENBOY]

I am looking to buy a vhf hand held mainly for use in spain, being new to all this do they all work any where and would 5 watts be ok for tootling around the coast. The cobra or midland range seem to be quite common.
Thanks Dennis

 

[alan_d]

Welcome to the forum.

As in so many other areas there are two standards for Marine VHF channels, International and US, and virtually all handhelds allow you to switch between the two. The International set of channels will be the relevant ones for you.

5 watts is pretty standard output for a handheld and most have a low-power setting of around 1 watt for short-range use. (You don't saturate the airwaves with your chatter and the batteries last longer.) The effective range of your set is likely to be limited by the height of the aerial rather than the output power, as VHF transmission is roughly line-of-sight.

I don't know what the rules are for Spain, but if you want to use a marine VHF radio in UK waters other than in an emergency you are required to possess an operator's licence (the Short Range Certificate), the course/exam for which covers all of the above and much more besides. The set itself should also be licensed (free if done online).

 

[Anonymous]

I am looking to buy a vhf hand held mainly for use in spain, being new to all this do they all work any where and would 5 watts be ok for tootling around the coast. The cobra or midland range seem to be quite common.

Anywhere in Europe you will be asked for operators' certs and licences on demand so it is important to get that sorted out.

I zoomed down the Atlantic Spanish coast so can't comment but the Med Spanish coast has a truly excellent VHF coverage even well into France, and, of course, the Balearics. VHF is, of course, line of sight and the coast stations all seem to have antennas situated on high ground.

My choice would be:-

a) Submersible (not to use it underwater but in case it gets drenched)
b) Easy to replace battery pack (Simrad is VERY expensive and they don't last)
c) Icom, if they meet a) and b) above otherwise any good quality make.