Handheld VHF radios

[love2fish93]

I have a 4 watt vhf radio and was wondering if what the useable range is. I live near 24 mile and Van dyke ave. and want to hear opperations on st clair.

thanks

pat

[Cpt.Chaos]

Handheld vhf radios usually have a line of sight range of about 1.5-2.5 miles. A real limitation is the length/height of the antenna, if you plan on relying on it in your boat for more dependable and longer ranges, get a fixed mount radio. Handheld radios were originally intended for dock work/ shipyard communication, but due to their small size and portability, they became popular. I always strongly advise against anyone considering purchasing one for there sole means of communication, but if you already have it, you might as well use it.

[steveh27]

I live about 1 mile from the lake in Grosse Pointe Woods. I use my handheld at home to listen to the guys on the water. I can pick them up 8 miles out & up & down the lake. I do not use it on the water as I have the 25 watt permanent radio on the boat.

I do enjoy listening & have been guided to some good catches. You will not be able to get anything from so far away. I doubt if a 25 watt radio would get anything unless you had an antenna 50 foot high.

[love2fish93]

what about with a vhf radio scanner? I can hear selfridge but Im not sure about the marine frequencies. thanks.

[lang49]

Handheld vhf radios usually have a line of sight range of about 1.5-2.5 miles. A real limitation is the length/height of the antenna, if you plan on relying on it in your boat for more dependable and longer ranges, get a fixed mount radio.

I don't know where you got the 1.5 to 2.5 mile figure.

As a licensed amateur radio operator, I can tell you that it is not out of the ordinary on our 220 Mhz band (immediately adjacent to the marine band) using handhelds to reach repeaters in excess of 20 miles. Again, line of sight, relatatively free from major obstructions. This is w/ 5watts output.

As you note, I wouldn't put myself in a situation where my life depended on it but it is not out of the ordinary.

[Cpt.Chaos]

I don't know where you got the 1.5 to 2.5 mile figure.

As a licensed amateur radio operator, I can tell you that it is not out of the ordinary on our 220 Mhz band (immediately adjacent to the marine band) using handhelds to reach repeaters in excess of 20 miles. Again, line of sight, relatatively free from major obstructions. This is w/ 5watts output.

As you note, I wouldn't put myself in a situation where my life depended on it but it is not out of the ordinary.


OK, I was off on line of sight, you can get further than 1.5-2.5 miles, but I do know for a fact that they have failed at ranges less than that with only minor obstructions in the way, ie small islands, bend in the river, freighter passing by, and the range is severly limited and you easily get "walked on" by other vhf users not that far away that may unknowingly interrupt your transmission. I would not solely rely on them for the safety and welfare of any passengers on any of my 3 boats.

[Ferg]

Line of sight is just that - you hand held to 'another' hand held would about 1.5 2 miles tops - light of sight increases as the length of the 'other' antenna is raised - if your communicating with a 250' repeater tower certainly your line of sight is increased.

Same is true of listening to boats communicate on the lake - figure that they are using the standard 25watt units with long whip antennas - the tops of those antennas increased the effect distance of your hand held.

Would I use it as a 'sole' means of communication on my vessel?

No.

Get a 25 watt installed on your vessel with a long extended whip antenna.

ferg....