VHF / Marine Radio's

did a search and to my suprise, I didn't find much on this subject. The few threads there, but all were older.

Looking at getting a VHF/marine radio. We boat on the Ohio River and there is not real consistent cell phone service. Would like to get a vhf radio as an emergency tool, but possibly also to monitor what is going on with some of the barges and talk with other boaters if necessary. My understanding is the mounted units have a stronger signal but in my situation (river bends) is this any advantage since VHF radio still are basically line of sight! I thought that the handheld might be nice since it could be taken from boat to boat.

I noticed some of the mounted units have an emergency switch that you can flip and it sends out a signal. Is this available in the handhelds.

could probably spend up to $250!

any input would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Man..I fish on the Cumberland River in the dead of winter for big blues. You very seldom see a boat out there. I have a Marine Radio on my boat. I wouldnt go out there without it. I think I paid $119 for mine, and it has the emergency switch you mentioned and also gives weather warnings. For the price you are talking you can buy one for the boat and a handheld also. I think the boat mounted does have a lot more reach. However if you had to leave your buddy on the boat you could take the handheld with you. I got stranded out there last year, and even though I could not talk to anyone directly, a couple of people at Paris Landing heard me, and I was in the Cumberland City area. They called a game warden who came and got me out. It is money well spent, in my humble opinion, especially if you are going to be out there where there is not much traffic. Warren

The handhelds use 1/2 watt to 5 watt the permanent mount use 5 to 25 watt but need a 3' to 8' antennae. I have a handheld on 5 watt for my bassboat with a permanent mount in my Motorhome (illegal) use it when on large lakes in the winter just for emergency. The handheld will do fine in most highland lakes if the marina's are open. In the winter time there is little radio traffic thats why I rigged up the one in the camper for when my wife joins me. Don't fall for one of the new handheld vhf's for 30 bucks NO DISTANCE no better than a couple walkie talkies. hope this helps. Please use 16 to contact someone then switch to a differnet chanel to carry on conversation. weather channel is very handy also.

just a thought,get a good radio but put the money in a better antena.

Thanks for the feedback, it is much appreciated.

Wishtofish,
Shout me a post here with a phone number, don't know where you live. I have a Uniden Altantis Handheld. Man, don't do me wrong here, but if close enough to where I live, I'll lend mine to you for a month so you can play with a handheld and see if it meets your range needs. Doesn't have the button to talked of for auto distress, but does scan, and does do weather NOAA warnings. I just hought you might like to try one to see. I'd lend you the radio and the charger, lots of trust here, so don't do me wrong dude.

You guys answered alot of questions I had also. Thanks for input.