Which VHF?

[Guest]

I would like to purchase a VHF radio for this coming season and I am looking for some advise. I have a 21 foot cruiser / racer which I sail in the Firth of Forth. Should I go for a fixed VHF or should I opt for a handheld system (e.g. do you get a longer range with the fixed system, etc., etc.). What are the advantages and disadvantages of these systems and what particular features should I look out for. Any feedback would be gratefully received.
Thanks.

 

[JeremyF]

Handhelds are great as auxillary radios, and very convenient when calling up nearby marinas, but they are no substitue for a fixed VHF, with an antenna on the mast. VHF works by line of site. so the higher the antenna, the longer the range.

With the regulation change ( after 2005 the coastguard will no longer monitor actively Channel 16) you need to get a GMDSS VHF. Simrad's at £299 are very popular. Prices have been falling for 12 months, and at £299 they are approaching the price of the old spec VHF

Remember to get your competance licence by doing a day course

Jeremy Flynn

www.yacht-goldeneye.co.uk
New pics 11.02.02

 

[ccscott49]

They do make a GMDSS handheld now.

 

[Strathglass]

Which club do you sail from? and what kind of craft ? has it an engine charger battery?. I have sailed often on the Forth (DBSC). Please remember that the port authority will be changing to GMDSS now or in the near future. For range and convience use a fixed system. Keeping batteries charged on a hand held is a real pain. and the transmit range is better on a fixed system. THe most cost effective VHF by far will be the new NASA system which will be available shortly at a much lower price than all its competition.
Iain

 

[ccscott49]

What new NASA system? I've not seen any pre-release propaganda, but if its as good and as good value as the rest of their gear, I will be interested to see it! Also, I would take you to task, reference much better range from a fixed system, thats not true.

 

[Strathglass]

Colin. The new NASA VHF was at the LBS. It has all it's fancy controls in the handset and a large covered button on the front panel. It will be on sale this season with a price, if I remember correctly, of under £300 incl VAT. They seem better value for money than anything currently available.
The only reason a hand held does not have the same transmitted range as a fixed set is that fixed sets have a higher power output than hand held. Reception range for hand held and fixed sets will be comparable when operating on identical aerials.
Iain

 

[Jeremy_W]

The advantages of a fixed set have been well made. The only advantage of a handheld is that you can use it when steering.

Sailing a 21-footer that is an advantage because you may have only one (or no) crew member aboard. If you are steering in testing conditions and are called up on a fixed VHF do you - make the crew handle the VHF comms relaying everything to and from you? - give the crew the helm in winds stronger than they can handle while you talk on the radio? - heave to while you handle the radio comms (not a bad solution but they'll love you doing that off Leith docks).

Also you can take the handheld home after each sail rather than leave it for the light-fingered community.

 

[Guest]

I sail from Port Edgar and I have an ETAP 21i (sail boat) with a Honda 5hp (too small - but thats a different issue). The honda provides a charge of 36w and I also have a 10w solar panel charging an 85A/H battery.
Regards.

 

[Strathglass]

The choice is really up to yourself. A hand held is less expensive. It is inconvienent to use a handheld with tiller steering but it depends on your anticipated usage. A fixed set with a cockpit mounted speaker is handier than a handheld especially when sailing.
There is a big advantage on the Forth compared with the south coast, the chatter on ch16 is very infrequent. This means that the average power consumption will be much less and your battery system should be up to leaving a fixed VHF switched on while you are sailing.
Iain

 

[Guest]

The problem of wanting to use the VHF from the cockpit is a problem on any yacht.

I have just bought, but not yet installed, one of the new ICOM 503 fixed sets. These have the option (for about £100) of an extra waterproof handset which you can have in the cockpit. As an alternative to a handheld for use in the cockpit this seems like an excellent idea.

It can also be used as an intercom. The opportunities are tremendous:
"Coffee, white no sugar please"
"Get back on course"
etc. The only thing which worries me is people using it, thinking it is switched to intercom but is actually on Channel 16!

Richard