Ship to Shore?

So can you guys school me on a radio for the boat? Not looking for anything fancy, just want to listen to chatter and have for emergency if needed. Thanks.

Handhelds are nice and portable. Here’s a link http://www.uniden.com/products/index.cfm?cat=Marine%20Electronics

If you want good reception get an 8 ft antenna.

Make sure the cable to the antenna is soldered on well or use a solderless connector.

Lots of decent marine band radios.

I bet Jolly Ann sells them.

http://www.jollyannsales.com/vhf_radios.htm

Koldfront nailed it. 8 foot antenna w/ soldered connector. I would avoid the solderless connection, though. You need the big antenna for transmitting. With a handheld, you’ll hear everything, but only the people close to you will hear you.

Tim

IF you fish big water I don’t think you will be happy with the performance of a handheld radio. JMO.

FDR

A radio (even a handheld) can be a nice way
to check with the lockmaster to see how long
the wait might be to lock thru.

Get the little giant antenna made by I think? Shakespear.It is about 4 foot tall and works as well as an 8 footer and isnt in the way all the time.

Lowrance,uniden etc. they are all good radios.Handhelds have limited range and wouldnt be my choice.

Yes to the lock comment, that was another reason. Do they make hand helds that you can hook to an external antenna? Or is it a wattage issue? Thanks again all.

Here is a pic of the antenna I mentioned above.Actually it is only 3 foot tall.I was wrong its not called the little giant but works really well.

Link

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Do they make hand helds that you can hook to an external antenna? Or is it a wattage issue?

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I’ve never seen one. Typically, hand helds are 5 watt max output. And a base unit will put out 25 watts max. More power, more range. (Along with a tall antenna properly installed)

The HH will receive signals from base units with 8 foot antennas 10-20 miles out. But the HH will only broadcast out 5-6 miles in the best of conditions. Two to three miles most days.

Any HH will chew through batteries. I’d suggest getting a cig lighter adapter for any HH. Even the rechargable units run down pretty fast, especially on transmit.

-J.

If you are using it mostly to check with the lockmaster is there any reason a cell phone wouldn’t suite the purpose?

As long as you are in a cell coverage area….kinda spotty in places.

Couple reasons I like a radio in the boat. Weather reports anytime. Can always hail another boater if in trouble. Especially on the river with barge traffic.

-J.

I would assume the lock master doesn’t want to take 20 phone calls, too? With the radio you can just listen in.

You assumed correctly. Radios are preferred – especially after hours and weekends.

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I would assume the lock master doesn’t want to take 20 phone calls, too? With the radio you can just listen in.

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I called the lock at St. Anthony once on my cell. At the end of the conversation he said something like usually the only time to call the lock is to report a body??

I got a VHF after that.

Guess the cell number could have come in handy today at the Ford Lock and Damn?

Speaking from experiance..I bought a $150. hand held some years back. Worked great for the distance I needed. However the batteries were getting expensive. So I bought a 12 volt adapter, then I bought 2 rechargeable battery packs. Found out I had just over $300. into it and I could have bought a mountable marine radio and antenna for that price.

Wade at JollyAnn set me up with a great radio and I use it every night when guiding. The folks at the lock have other duties besides filling up the tub and letting the water out. They carry radios with them.

BTW Hand held marine band radio for sail. NiCad batteries are both dead, but the 12v charger works. Asking Price: $300.00

You never cease to make me laugh, BK.
wkw