VHF Radios

So what kind of VHF radio's do you guy have?  Any recommendations or products to be wary of? 

Yar, recently i picked up a humminbird 55sc @ the local Joe's for $80. on sale..have yet to use it, was one of those things i know i need , and couldnt resist the bargain

I got a Midland handheld and it is just fine.
I have not used it on the water yet, as I am usually near shore and within sight of the Coast Guard Station

West Marine VHF55 currently on sale for $99.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/241602/377%20710/0/vhf55/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=vhf55&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=vhf55&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5003&subdeptNum=3&classNum=542

-Allen

That West Marine unit looks nice and compact. I've got a Uniden Atlantis 250 I picked up on sale for $90 at Cabela's last year, and I haven't really used it (or any other makes)  to be able to recommend it one way or another over the others. I can turn it on in my house and pick up the Marine forecast, so I know it receives.

Next time I'm out on the water, I'm going to request a "radio check" and see if it actually works. I was told that these handhelds have more or less a "line of sight" limitation in their transmission, meaning that anything over the horizon from the antenna is out of range.

I'm a Uniden Voyager user of a few years and have nothing but praise. It's a nice compact radio that easily fits in your PFD pocket and is most importantly waterproof. I've dunked it many times and it still ticking. It retails for $150 but have found it online for $99.


 
Speaking of VHF's they're a really cool addition to the yakfishing experience. Whether you're on the big blue where it's a safety requirement or just on a local lake, it's really cool to leave on so you can communicate w/ other friends who are fishing with you that day to exchange fishing info... or even better, talk smack!!

Z

Maybe we need a smack talk tutorial written up now that people are starting to get VHFs around here.

Brian

Maybe we need a smack talk tutorial written up now that people are starting to get VHFs around here.

Brian

Sure you could do a great one!! 

Z

Thanks guys- I was leaning towards the Uniden units before I started the thread and I think I am pretty much sold.  Although I am still hanging out in the flatwater I do like the ability to communicate with fellow yak'ers and boaters.  It could have paid off a couple weeks ago on LW when Richard and were hanging back a little.

ahem!
 
i actually had mine with me, was in the dry bag below deck. had forgotten to tell Z, pole, and you i had it along, and then never even  thought to turn the thing on!!

sorry

Not a jab at you Richard by any means.  I just like having my own toys to play with.

That West Marine unit looks nice and compact. I've got a Uniden Atlantis 250 I picked up on sale for $90 at Cabela's last year, and I haven't really used it (or any other makes)  to be able to recommend it one way or another over the others. I can turn it on in my house and pick up the Marine forecast, so I know it receives.

Next time I'm out on the water, I'm going to request a "radio check" and see if it actually works. I was told that these handhelds have more or less a "line of sight" limitation in their transmission, meaning that anything over the horizon from the antenna is out of range.

Just for future reference the vhf band is only a line of sight...but it is not exactly how far you can see but rather has to do with the curvature of the earth...at night time you can sometimes transmit farther...i think the normal distance is something like 22 miles or so

That West Marine unit looks nice and compact. I've got a Uniden Atlantis 250 I picked up on sale for $90 at Cabela's last year, and I haven't really used it (or any other makes)  to be able to recommend it one way or another over the others. I can turn it on in my house and pick up the Marine forecast, so I know it receives.

Next time I'm out on the water, I'm going to request a "radio check" and see if it actually works. I was told that these handhelds have more or less a "line of sight" limitation in their transmission, meaning that anything over the horizon from the antenna is out of range.

Just for future reference the vhf band is only a line of sight...but it is not exactly how far you can see but rather has to do with the curvature of the earth...at night time you can sometimes transmit farther...i think the normal distance is something like 22 miles or so

You'd be lucky to get 5 miles with a 5W handheld.  Even less considering your sitting on the water and your antenna is not high.  Perhaps a bit more if your going ship to shore and the shore side has an antenna higher off the water.

-Allen

I've been playing with my new ICOM handheld at home (daydreaming about playing with it on the water)  I don't have any trouble picking up CG broadcasts from the Columbia and I live in Hillsboro. 
I'm pretty sure they don't have a repeater in the area.  Maybe atmospheric conditions were just right for a couple of days in a row.

I've been playing with my new ICOM handheld at home (daydreaming about playing with it on the water)  I don't have any trouble picking up CG broadcasts from the Columbia and I live in Hillsboro. 
I'm pretty sure they don't have a repeater in the area.  Maybe atmospheric conditions were just right for a couple of days in a row.

Reception works great as that doesn't depend on your transmit power.  Try a radio check from your home.  I bet you won't even register as a blip on the radio spectrum to the CG tower.

-Allen