Handheld VHF

jasoncooperpcola

jasoncooperpcola

God
My vhf went out on my boat and the antenna is broken from the previous owners. I have a 14' antenna from my Sportsman but its way too big to put on a V20. I want to go snapper fishing in my V20 before snapper season goes out. How good are handheld VHF radios? What kind of range can i expect? I will not go offshore without one, but cant afford an antenna and radio right now. ( Workers comp sucks) And on top of all that, my cable pulled out of my gps antenna so now i have to buy another gps antenna. (GARMIN) I found a couple antennas on ebay for $30 may just get one of them.

First one i found:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Marine-GPS-BNC-...192?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a082a6798

Second type:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-GPS-Antenna...580?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c69c3db4

What does everybody think about these? I would like to run about 20-25 miles offshore fishing.
 
Probably not a good idea to make a regular habit out of it but as long as you can reach somebody such as another boat they can always relay emergency info for you should you need it. And from what I hear those coast guard towers are pretty tall which increases the range quite a bit. I keep my handheld on alot while out ....I cant always here the other party but I can always hear the coast guard....of course not sure if the coast guard can hear me or not.
 
not familar w/ the gps antennas, but if your getting a vhf to talk to other boats, handheld range is not that good. if your getting it to talk to the coastguard, should be fine.
 
The really nice thing about hand helds is that as long as they are waterproof or kept in a waterproof bag you can use them even if your boat sinks. (Like in that video in the off topic section). That's a really nice feature that you simple cannot do with a boat mounted unit. I don't have a hand held yet, but for just that reason I think I just might purchase one. :head:
 
I use both my mounted and my handheld radios when I am out and I go pretty far off the shore. I always hear just about everything on both but notice on my handheld, I sometimes only hear half the conversation where on my mounted, I hear it all. I would not venture too far offshore with just a handheld, but having the handheld is better than having nothing. Mine is waterproof and always hooked to my belt so if something happens, I am ready.
 
RWilson2526 said:
Probably not a good idea to make a regular habit out of it but as long as you can reach somebody such as another boat they can always relay emergency info for you should you need it. And from what I hear those coast guard towers are pretty tall which increases the range quite a bit. I keep my handheld on alot while out ....I cant always here the other party but I can always hear the coast guard....of course not sure if the coast guard can hear me or not.
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If you GOTTA go out, I like Rob's thought of being able to contact other boats...does "the fleet" go out on Saturdays?...if so, run out w/several others and keep 'em in sight...till you can get a suitable whip...
 
I just looked, snapper season closes July 18th. That's this Sunday i believe. I didn't know it closed so soon. I really don't care to fish on weekends anymore. Too many inconsiderate people for me. So i will try to get another vhf and antenna and try for Amberjack when it opens back in August. :sun:
 
jasoncooperpcola said:
I just looked, snapper season closes July 18th. That's this Sunday i believe. I didn't know it closed so soon. I really don't care to fish on weekends anymore. Too many inconsiderate people for me. So i will try to get another vhf and antenna and try for Amberjack when it opens back in August. :sun:
Click to expand...


AJs??...glad to hear they don't have the parsite in the Gulf that they do off the SC coast...renders them inedible...but WHAT A FIGHT!!...we boated a 90 lb mule one time...took forever!!...sat that fisherman DOWN!!...

Hope you get another radio goin soon!!...
 
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