For those of you using a marine radio, are you using a handheld or a unit that is mounted to the boat. I see there is a considerable difference in power between the two, which I’m sure translates to range. What distance are you seeing from a hand held or fixed? 5 watts vs. 25 watts? Recommendations?
Planning a Voyageurs National Park trip and thought the marine radio would be good. I’m not sure on cell reception, I’m assuming its spotty at best.
I run an older Uniden handheld. The quality is outstanding, but the range is limited. Its perfect for chatting between boats in the same vicinity – 3-5 miles. After that, it gets tough to maintain good reception. A huge disadvantage with my Uniden is the BNC connector for the antenna. Its not compatible with most external antennas. The taller antenna helps with the curve of the earth and allows for some longer range. If I was still running 16 miles out on Lake MI, I would most definitely go with a 25watt stationary unit. All comes down to the range you need.
Hand helds are great for portability. I have one in my camper mostly for listening. I can hear much further then I can talk.
For very little more the radio in your boat will give you more bang for your buck with extended talk range.
Standard Horizion has a 3 year warranty and they fixed mine after it was four years old at no charge.
The DSC Distress feature is a very easy way to call for help if needed. (I don’t use it for regular DSC calling, just Distress)
Class D Digital Selective Calling
The ECLIPSE DSC+ is Class D class VHF with a separate Channel 70 receiver, which allows DSC calls to be received even when listening to traffic on Marine VHF channels. The DSC DISTRESS function when activated transmits a digital MAYDAY including vessel identification, Latitude / Longitude and time (with GPS connected), to facilitate prompt response. Additional calls that can be made are Individual, Urgency and Safety.
When I was last at kab, I was surprised to find out the I had very good reception with T-Mobile. If I was fishing the great lakes, definitely it would be a fixed unit. Inland lakes, a hand held unit would be enough I would think.
Thanks everyone. Just have to decide on one and go with it. I like the range of the fixed unit. I’m going to look tonight and see where it would mount nicely in the boat.
I use an Standard Horizion fixed at Kab.
I think it is channel 22 (maybe 21) that the resorts monitor.
our group that goes to canada used handhelds that like everyone else said worked great but range was limited and communication could be frustrating. we all now have fixed radios with 8 foot antennas and now we can pretty much talk from our cabin to the guys out on the lake 9 miles away. limited through the trees a little but it does work. we have never seen how far we can reach just across open water but it always seems to work within the area we are in.
Which one would you want if you NEEDED one?
This has more to do with the antenna than with the radio. The flexible “rubber duck” antennas on hand held units aren’t very good compared to a fixed 4 or 8 foot antenna.
I had a cheap 4′ antenna on my last boat to start, and it was almost useless. Maybe 3 mile range. About the same as a handheld. I upgraded to a 4′ made by digital and that was much better. Extended the range out to about 9 or 10 miles. Just a little less than a cheap 8′. Don’t buy a cheap Shakespeare 4′. Go with an 8′ if you have room.
AT&T installed a tower on the Ash River Trail a couple of years ago. Very good coverage on Kab. & Nam.
For a radio get a unit that mounts in the boat.
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