1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011
2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260
3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
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Hand held VHF radios
pederj	#1  Posted on 02/01/10 - 1:36 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 107 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/23/09	Im considering purchasing a hand held VHF radio for my boat. Im hoping to stay in the $100 to $150 price range. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with good or bad models/brands? And what features should I look for? Thanks, John
Bake	#2  Posted on 02/01/10 - 2:18 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 902 Comments: 8 Joined: 01/30/06	I have an Icom m34. Works well and floats.
Phil T	#3  Posted on 02/01/10 - 3:49 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	I would recommend the Standard Horizon HX 850S with GPS. It is ~185.00 but worth it. One vendor is the GPS Store. See this link I use this as a backup clipped to my PDF.
DWinter	#4  Posted on 02/01/10 - 3:55 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 252 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/02/10	I'd also recommend you make sure it transmits at least 3 to 5 watts or is switchable up to that. Remember VHF is line of sight so the difference between 5 watts and 2 watts can be considerable. Duane G Winter 1984 BW Sport 15 Center Console
ioptfm	#5  Posted on 02/01/10 - 4:56 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1533 Comments: 3 Joined: 10/28/06	I would also make sure that it has a scan feature Tom 1979 Sport 15'
pederj	#6  Posted on 02/01/10 - 5:04 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 107 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/23/09	Thanks to everybody for the input. I have a good starting point. I will consider a lot more than price now.
mattgeiger	#7  Posted on 02/02/10 - 5:12 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 310 Comments: 2 Joined: 02/22/07	I have a Standard Horizon HX750S VHF. It's by far the most durable HH I have used, and I've used a lot. No GPS, but you're in my neck of the woods, it's not as much of a concern. Come see us at the May rendezvous on Lanier... Cape Dory 28 Hobie 20 Miracle A Class Catamaran
MW	#8  Posted on 02/03/10 - 1:59 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1827 Comments: 10 Joined: 01/08/06	I have a fixed mount VHF but, use a H/H as back up in my "R.D.B" (Rapid Ditch Bag). I use the inexpensive $50 +/- Midland Nautico model "NT1". It has a difficult menu to scroll through for regular marine "comm's" (prolly why it's inexpensive) but, it does what "I" want it to do (Goes right to emergency channel "16" at 5 watt's full power when turned on). I got the "Bell's and Whistles" pack to go with it for my birthday, so it can use reg. alkaline AA batteries or the "NiCad" batt. pack, headset, charger etc.. The optional "Bell's and Whistles" pack prolly cost as much as the unit itself, and I would NOT have normally bought it but, I got it as a gift, and I didn't want to break any little hearts, and the NiCad pack is helpful (I keep AA's in the bag too). Matt
TechTeach	#9  Posted on 02/03/10 - 2:16 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 120 Comments: 1 Joined: 06/09/09	You keep all that stuff on a 15 whaler???