Hand Held VHS Radios

What is the best VHS radio a person can get for 100.00? Do they have only a 2 mile radious or is there one with a 5 mile radious? Thanks, Bill

Bill – it’s hard to find a good VHF for $100.

There is the HUMMINBIRD VHF-5A PLUS that’s $99.99 at our place. May find it a few bucks less at other places. I don’t have much feedback (well, none) on this unit but maybe someone else on here has one and can shed some light on the subject.

Here’s the specs:

Humminbird VHF-5A PLUS Handheld Marine VHF Radio

Handheld Marine Radio with Battery Eliminator

Selling Points

Special Pack – Battery Eliminator and Waterproof Pouch Included

Battery Eliminator Connects to Any Cigarette Lighter – No Need for Batteries!

Complete, Easy-to-Use Marine Communications System

Long Lasting, Replaceable Alkaline Battery Power

Built-in Weather Radio with Weather Alert

Scan, Dual & Tri-Watch and More!

Features

Removable Alkaline Battery Case – 8 easily replaceable AA batteries

Volume & Squelch Adjustment

10 Memory Channels

Complete Channel Scanning Capabilities

Dual and Tri Channel Watch

Low Battery Indicator

Channel 16 Instant Access Button

Display Backlight

USA, International and Weather Bands

Programmable CALL button

One Year Limited Warranty

Specifications

Power Output High: 5 Watts, Low: 1 Watt

Frequency Range: Transmit: 156.025-157.425MHz

Receive: 156.050-163.275MHz

Channels: 50 USA, 54 INT, 10Weather, 10 Programmable Memory

Battery: 8 AA Replaceable Alkaline (not included)

For a little better quality, I’d look at the Standard Horizon HX260S

It runs $179.00 but has a $30 rebate through December.

These are both listed as 5 watt radios.

As for range, it’s hard to say. Hand held model are limited by their small antenna. You can get a few miles out of most hand helds. Hope this info is helpful.

I use a Shakespeare SE700 handheld. I have had some communication on Mille Lacs while running it on 5 watts (high power) up to 5-8 miles. Most times I can expect to get out around 4-5 miles with out any problem. I like using the handheld models during the winter seasons in my Otter portable. This SE700 is my second Shakespeare that I have owned. It has some great features check it out. It sells for around $179.00…….

think in terms of wattage output, not range …. I think 5 watts is the best you can get in a handheld …. my experience is based on work (emergency stuff) … several radios – monitor, handheld, mobile, base stations, repaeaters,etc …. I trust motorola the best…. but, you pay for the name. but, you won’t find them for 100.
barry

Myself and several of my friends have had the Humminbird VHF 5 for several years. I’ll give them the rating!

Expect 3-4 miles just about anytime and occasionally up to 6 miles across water.

These are rated as water resistant, however I have doused my radio more than a few times and it is still working fine.

It’s good to see they are selling them complete with the cig lighter plug in. They will chew up the batteries. I also have the rechargeable battery, but that usually only lasts 5-6 hours.

Jon J.

Jon,

Your feedback on the Humminbird is the first real consumer news I’ve heard on these units. It’s good to know they’ve been making the grade because there just are not that many units out there with such a low price tag.

Thanks,

Wade

Yep Wade, pretty happy with the unit. Bought mine when they first came out. It was just the radio and you needed a bunch of AA batteries to use them for the weekend. Paid $79. Then bought the rechargable battery for $20 and dropped another $20 or so on the cig lighter plug in. So $99 for the whole kit-and-kaboodle is a good deal today.

Jon J.

My partner and I used one all summer in the circuit we fished. He has two, and we would each take one while prefishing in seperate boats. They worked great on bodies of water like Vermillion, Cass and Gull.

How do these units perform on the river with all the islands? Are they a factor in “blocking” the signal?

I have a Uniden Atlantis that works quite well for the river. selectable 1 or 5 watts. Comes with a rechargeable battery pack and the AA bat pack. The recharge feature works with it plugged into my boat cig lighter outlet or can be charged when plugged into AC. Never ran down in a weekend of fishing, includes 10 Wx channels and a scan feature for $119.00 at Cabela’s.
Uniden Atlantis here.

Thanks guys. After reading your replies and seeing and hearing how great Jolly Ann Marine and Outdoor is I just placed an order for the Hummingbird unit for 99.00 from Wade. Thanks for all the info and hopefully more info will also come as there may be others looking for a unit too. Thanks, Bill

Trees or any obstruction will affect range. Let’s use Bill’s home water as an example. (Pool 4, Red Wing Mn. Handheld to Handheld)

Hay Creek to the Dam. No go.
Hay Creek to Everts. Scratchy, but you can talk.
Hay Creek to Coleville, not bad.
High Bridge to 4th cut, pretty good.
4th cut to the bouy line, pretty good.
Bouy line to Point-no-Point, very good.

The distances above are in about the 2-mile range. It’s about 6 miles from Mac’s Twin Bay on Mille Lacs to Sloppy Joe’s. I have talked to another VHF 5 handheld at that distance. (Across water, no obstructions)

You will receive transmissions from base mount 25 watt units from miles away, (Like 20 +) but not be able to answer.

A handheld in a boat on the river is great for safety, locking through or just keeping an ear on the chatter. You also can monitor the weather channel when you see that black cloud!

Jon J.

Jon Jordan is right here with the distances with handheld marine radios. I have a marine radio in my home with a 8 foot antenna on the peak of the roof. I can get out to most any place on Mille Lacs with this setup. I do have some trouble when in the boat once I get into a bay or around a point. I may lose the signal at this time. I think if you think of line of sight here you will have a better understanding. Land in the path of your signal will reduce the total distance. On open water you will get the most distance.

Bobber and Jon,

Thx for the reply about obstructions and signals. I’ve thought about using a VHF set up with a base at the cabin and hand held in the boat. Always wondered if it was worth setting up as opposed to using a cell phone. With the places I fish normally and your explanations I think I’ll stick with the cell for my land to boat communications.

Pete

Helpful discussion here guys. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Just to clarify, the distances Jon is referring to is based on a handheld unit to a handheld unit – not a fixed mount VHF – is that correct jon?

The areas where Jon is referring to on pool 4 of the the river that aren’t good are areas that has some curves in the river which means alot of trees etc in the way. On a lake, a round one anyway, the line from handheld to cabin most likely is straight with no trees etc in the way. Thanks, Bill

I bought a handheld and a fix mount radio this year. IF YOU HAVE service for your cell phone in the areas you fish and want fast emergency service or to commuicate with someone that has a phone. The cell phone is the only way to go.

On the other hand, many places I fish I don’t have cell service. Many resorts have base stations and (it seems) there’s always someone around to contact if you need help. Also, I have a group of freinds that have radios, one of them seldom has this cell with him or turned on for that matter. It’s nice to get on the water and see who’s out there and what’s working.
I generally leave the handheld at home. My wife uses it for the weather alert and listens to see when she should have supper done for me…(she doesn’t frequent this site…thank God!)