which hand held VHF shud I buy?

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Shearwater

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I need an A1 reliable hand held VHF.
I have a DSC fixed unit below decks but I am concerned that when I really need to tx/rx I do not want to run up and down stairs yelling " Hello y'all, my wife has gone overboard and I really don't want to take my eyes off her as she flounders in the 'oggin".

Or "OK Mayday cancelled......she's drowned".

I'd like a proper bit of kit we can both strap onto our lifejackets so when the awful moment occurs we can scream "for Cris.....kes someone help". What would you trust or like to have?

Or what, if you have suffered that circumstance, what would you have done differently?

Yes, I know. The answer is never EVER go overboard. But we know accidents are those knife-edge moments when balance and poise give way to vertigo, wobble and oh f++K! here I go....I hope I don't break my back !

I really like and respect this site for serious thoughts from really knowledgeable people.

Thanks in advance to any who take the trouble to answer......I am getting on a bit but I do so much want to go on for so much more!!!! Sailing is fantastic.
 
I wouldn't buy a radio.

Personally, first choice would be a 406MHz PLB - for the simple reason, if you go in unconscious, or become unconscious whilst in, there is still a constant source to summon assistance.

Understand it isn't as versatile as a radio, but if overboard protection is your primary concern, it's the best choice.

Or have a look at some of the MOB devices on the market.

For the radio option, maybe one with a remote mic in the cockpit? That way, you keep the distance advantages of the 25w tx.
 
MoodySabre said:
The answers are always the same. Standard Horizon or Icom. Choose the model according to the features and price tag you like.
Click to expand...

Like what he said.

Get a waterproof one, and ideally one that floats

You can get DSC VHF handhelds which have the distress button on them. Might not be a bad thing if distress is your primary rationale for buying one. Probably worth noting that most handhelds have a 5W power output. The low power combined with a shortage range due to not having the aerial high up (if you're in the water, the handheld VHF aerial is literally at sea level) you would want to be pretty near some other vessels or a land based VHF mast.

Personally I find my handheld an invaluable bit of kit for coming into strange marinas. You don't want to be dashing into the cabin if you're the skipper and are struggling to find the visitor's pontoon.
 
Shearwater said:
I need an A1 reliable hand held VHF.
I have a DSC fixed unit below decks but I am concerned that when I really need to tx/rx I do not want to run up and down stairs yelling " Hello y'all, my wife has gone overboard and I really don't want to take my eyes off her as she flounders in the 'oggin".

Or "OK Mayday cancelled......she's drowned".

I'd like a proper bit of kit we can both strap onto our lifejackets so when the awful moment occurs we can scream "for Cris.....kes someone help". What would you trust or like to have?

Or what, if you have suffered that circumstance, what would you have done differently?

Yes, I know. The answer is never EVER go overboard. But we know accidents are those knife-edge moments when balance and poise give way to vertigo, wobble and oh f++K! here I go....I hope I don't break my back !

I really like and respect this site for serious thoughts from really knowledgeable people.

Thanks in advance to any who take the trouble to answer......I am getting on a bit but I do so much want to go on for so much more!!!! Sailing is fantastic.
Click to expand...

For your specific worry you might be better off replacing your fixed VHF with one with an external command mic, or fitting a second waterproof fixed GPS on deck. Handheld ranges are very low, even on quality sets.

On the other hand almost the only VHF I ever use is the handheld, usually to call a marina or the club launch, as I don't normally turn on the main set. I know I ought to, but I prefer the peace and quiet.
 
Shearwater said:
I need an A1 reliable hand held VHF.
I have a DSC fixed unit below decks but I am concerned that when I really need to tx/rx I do not want to run up and down stairs yelling " Hello y'all, my wife has gone overboard and I really don't want to take my eyes off her as she flounders in the 'oggin".

Or "OK Mayday cancelled......she's drowned".

I'd like a proper bit of kit we can both strap onto our lifejackets so when the awful moment occurs we can scream "for Cris.....kes someone help". What would you trust or like to have?

Or what, if you have suffered that circumstance, what would you have done differently?

Yes, I know. The answer is never EVER go overboard. But we know accidents are those knife-edge moments when balance and poise give way to vertigo, wobble and oh f++K! here I go....I hope I don't break my back !

I really like and respect this site for serious thoughts from really knowledgeable people.

Thanks in advance to any who take the trouble to answer......I am getting on a bit but I do so much want to go on for so much more!!!! Sailing is fantastic.
Click to expand...

For the purpose you describe a hand held VHF is not the thing to have, but a PLB. By all means have a handheld, but they have limited range and mainly used for short distance communication, not for emergency notification. If you just want the best VHF performance from the cockpit, a command mic for your main transmitter is the answer.

DSC is the first method of notifying where your boat is in an emergency, but is limited by VHF range. Next is an EPIRB which is not limited by range. PLBs perform a similar function but identified to the person rather than the boat.
 
second vote for fixed radio with command mic - the range is so much better. plus the cost of plbs is plummeting so one each for you and your wife would be the ultimate belt and braces safety solution if you lost her at sea!
 
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