Which hand held VHF

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saltyrob

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Good Afternoon,

We want to purchase a handheld vhf radio with actis capability,preferable for not too much dosh.The choice has been narrowed to either a Standard Horizon HX280E or Icom IC-M33.

Does anyone have any throughs,experience and advice on which would be the better buy.

Many thanks

Rob,holding on to my hat in windy Suffolk.
 
VHF

Hi,

If you mean ATIS is wanted, be careful! I bought a St Ho hx851e for this function & it only allows a total of nine digits - ATIS needs ten. Supplier said send for software mod - now on Saone, some help!

John G
 
I had a similar decision 2 months ago, went for the Standard Horizon HX280e as it was a PBO Best Buy. It's good value, good range, pocket sized and waterproof. Would be nice if it floated, but can buy a key ring with balloon attached if this was important to me!
 
The Standard Horizon claims to be "submersible" - but most certainly is NOT.

Mine went in the river when I fell in and came out full of water and never worked again.

I was less than impressed, particularly when I E-Mailed and wrote to SH and they would not even reply. I will never ever buy one of their products again.

I'd go for the Icom out of the two - although I tend to the view that they are expendable and so buy the cheapest.
 
My thoughts on HH - go for waterproof and Li-ion battery. Personally I don't think floating is worth the extra you pay. I chose a Cobra purely on price but from what I've heard Icom or SH would also fit the bill nicely.
 
I would go for the Icom every time.

I have the earlier IC-M31, but have used Icom for many years and believe them to be a much better buy.

My M31 tends to slowly discharge if left in the desk charger, so once charged, I remove it. Otherwise, brilliant kit.
 
I don't know if you've already bought one but after much research I went for the Icom IC-M35 over the 33. It has a few of extra features but my main reason was because it transmits at 6w as opposed to 5w which gives me about another mile in range. The best thing I gleamed from the research I did is to avoid the cheap ones like the plague.
Hope this helps.
 
If the radio will live in the grab bag when not on inland waterways, suggest you find one which has the option of AA battery pack or batteries - you can't charge it in a life raft and, sods law being what it is.....
 
Very good point made by GrahamM376 and the Icom IC-M35 comes with one rechargeable battery pack and one standard AA battery pack module, so you'll never get caught out. I didn't go over the advantages and features of my chosen model, so it's best you check out their website and see if they match your own requirements. Also, I found most second hand ones go for only slightly less that new ones – and in some cases they went for even more – good old eBay!
So just bite the bullet and buy a new one.
 
As per Beadle.

My Standard Horizon looks properly put together, is easy to use, and always worked very well. However the first blast of water saw it off. If water gets into the battery compartment, only a bit of sticky tape stands between that and the works.

I might buy again but buyers must treat as Non Waterproof.
 
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