What
They Do
Handheld VHF radios provide short
range, portable communications between boats without depending on the ship's power or
antenna systems.
How They Work
With nearly all of the features of a larger fixed-mount radio,
handhelds offer superior convenience in conditions where a fixed-mount might be
unavailable. They're ideal for applications such as:
- Dinghies, that need to keep in touch
with the "mother ship"
- Small boats that don't have
electrical systems, or don't have room for a fixed-mount radio
- Large boats that require the operator
to be away from the primary helm position, such as sportfishers with towers or flybridges
- Backup to the ship's primary radio
Handhelds are limited to a transmit
power of 6 watts, compared to 25 watts for fixed-mount radios. Remember, VHF range is more
dependent on antenna height and antenna length than on transmit power, so
you can add significantly to your range by connecting an external antenna or by
transmitting from the highest location available to you. For normal handheld use, figure
on a 3-5 mile range from a small boat.
How much difference does increased transmit
power have? Very little on the range of the communications. Icom states that by
switching from 1 watt to 3 watts of output you may gain 10% in range. The main impact is
that your battery life is dramatically reduced when you transmit at high power. The
batteries in handhelds vary in capacity from about 500 mAh to 1200 mAh, and the current
draw on high power transmit can be in the 2 amp range. This quickly depletes a battery if
there is lots of conversation. Note: Most radio manufacturers measure their battery life
on a 90/5/5 basis: 90% standby, 5% receive, and 5% transmit at high power.
What to Look For
While features and channels are desirable in VHF radios, we think environmental
protection and ruggedness are paramount when selecting a handheld. They
inevitably have a tough life: water is a constant threat, drops onto hard surfaces are
common, and environmental conditions change constantly. There are two ways to improve your
handheld's chances of surviving more than one season: buy a ruggedly-built model in the
first place, and use a waterproof "bag" when operating the radio in wet places.
And if you have to depend on a handheld VHF for emergency communications, we suggest a
spare radio.
Battery Life
This varies with the size of the battery pack included with the radio. Many models
offer optional battery packs with longer operating times, greater transmit power, or both.
The Icom M1, for example, can operate more than twice as long when equipped with its
optional long life battery (also available as the M1+). Each manufacturer tries to extend
battery life using a variety of tricks: battery saver circuits, which turn off the
receiver momentarily, seem to work well.
Waterproofness
This is sort of a defensive buying feature, but what good is a handheld that is
damaged by water and not covered by a warranty? The "waterproofness" of a
handheld is important, and to the degree that manufacturers indicate it, we have passed on
this information. You'll see that there are more and more models which claim to be
submersible, which is a very tough standard. If you plan to carry a radio in an inflatable
sportboat, PWC, or on a daysailer or racer, we highly recommend choosing a submersible
model.
Ease of Operation
Something as potentially lifesaving as a portable radio should be easy to use.
Functions should be clearly labeled, and scanning functions should be easy to program and
use. Also, stored channels should be maintained in memory when the unit is turned off.
Most radios now operate similarly, which is a welcome change from five years ago, when it
took a lengthy manual and a three-unit junior college course to feel confident operating a
handheld.
