MacGregorSailors.com

I own a 5w handheld vhf .
Cause my sailing area is no more than 10 miles by the coast ( usually 2-3 miles ) well this kind of vhf is good for me.

I have a fixed VHF with a masthead antenna. I got a Cobra which I wouldn't do again (power drain even when it's off and no squelch on WX frequencies). I also have a West Marine handheld with FRS frequencies so I can talk to those cheap walkie talkies too.

I carry an emergency antenna I made for the fixed VHF in case I loose the mast. I can either attach it directly to the radio or unscrew the connector at the base of the mast and connect it there. It's also useful if I have the mast stowed on deck and want to use the VHF. The mast head antenna works well and it's something with which you can impress your friends--height does matter.

I agree with the comment that a handheld is not real reliable because of battery issues and short range.

BB

I have the same set-up as Chip- Uniden 525 with Wham handheld. Best of both worlds.

I am on the Great Lakes and when making the choice I went with fixed, but not on the mast - might want to motor without having the mast up, have had to motor without the mast up on our keel boat on the way down the Chicago river to have the mast raised and needed the radio. Antenna mount also lowers/swivels for low clearences. Went for a DSC unit then checked to see the implimentation schedule - it is not fully implimented and you really should check out your area to see if the Coast Guard is on line yet see http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21/about/impsched.htm
My VHF has a remote speaker that I mounted at the helm and the unit is just inside the cabin so that someone other than me can get to it in an emergency 'cause I might be a tad busy. Don't forget to make out a distress card - to add the panic'd when making a voice call for assistenance. And make the voice call because it is the only feedback that your distress has been recognized. Everyone in the family has been "trained" on radio proceedure, which IMHO should be a requirement for operation. OK rant over.

We have both, fixed and handheld. The handheld was purchased primarily as a backup, with a separate AA battery tray and detachable antenna so it could store in the emergency box. But it turned out to be the primary because of the big difference in current draw on standby and even receive. That matters much more with a 4HP outboard with no alternator. The fixed unit is still there for emergencies.

Yes, get DSC for the fixed unit, but be careful where you use it. In an area where there are a lot of fishermen with older radios, you may be better off making a MayDay voice call on 16 than waiting for an acknowledgement to a digital distress call.

One thing to consider if you go fixed, is the gain of the antenna. Many folks think a high gain antenna is good but not so for sailboats. The higher gain is achieved by compressing the radiation pattern, like squashing a doughnut, or going from a flood light to a spot light. This works well on a vertical antenna, but when your boat heals, the leeward side is looking down at the water while the windward may well shoot over antennas trying to hear you. Generally, 3db gain is about the most you should get for a healing sailboat unless you go real high tech and get the antenna on a swivel with a weighted counterpoise to keep it vertical even if you are knocked down.

I have often heard the antenna being the reason people go for fixed, but couldn't one attach a fixed antenna at the top of the mast to a handheld for the times you need the distance? I admit I have never quite understood the whole antenna thing, and I know antenna length is dependent on wavelength; however, the handheld and the fixed VHF would be using the same wavelengths. It seems to me that you'd just need the type of connector to match the handheld at the end of the coax.

Lovekamp - The VHF, antenna, height issue is related to line of sight. The higher th antenna the more distance it can "see". Just like being on a mountain or the flats.

On the VHF you can adjust how strong of raido that you can receive. This is the squelch (sp?). If you are next to somebody with the squelch turned up to high (like some bridge tenders or busy areas) they will not hear you in a hand held at 5 watts. Most fixed are 25 watts.

Most hand helds have a jack for an external antenna.

I have talked to Tow Boat assisting another 15 miles away but could not get a bridge tender 1/4 mile away with the hand held.

James V wrote:Frank C - I have put my antenna on the mast support arch. I have been in Bimini and received weather on the hand held VHF (55 miles away).

The National Weather Service 155 mHz transmitters are at least 200 watts and I bet the ones in Miami are leased on the TV towers that top out at 1000 feet.

Your 5 or 25 watt transmitters, on a small antenna 25 feet ASL, are not going to be able to reciprocate.

I went with fixed, but not on the mast - might want to motor without having the mast up

I have a little portable antenna which has a suction cup which I can put right on the cabin top if I don't have the mast up (a rare occurence for me). With my mast top antenna, I can pick up pretty much anything all around the Bay area (probably at least a 25 mile radius). When I radio check, its always the towboat U.S. folks that answer over by Port Richie. This has got to be at least 20 miles away and I can talk to them as if they are right next to me. This extra range could save you in an emergency.

I do like to use a handheld for bridge openings though, pretty much for the reasons that Duane mentioned about the fixed unit. Its not a bad idea having 2 radios and a cell phone on board. Heck, if I was going on a really long trip way off shore, I'd probably bring my aviation band radio along as well..then you can have planes flying overhead relay a message for you if need be. Radios are like friends, you can never have too many.

I have a fixed unit with a mast top antenna mount. After 6 years, I have not had any problems with either the antenna or the radio. The range has never been a problem. The downside is that the radio is hard to hear in the wind, as previously mentioned. If you are in trouble, and need the range and power, I recommend the fixed unit. Also, the radio runs off of ships power, so recharging and batteries is never an issue, unless the whole boat goes dead.

Andre

I would like to thank all of you for your suggestions. I have decided to go with Uniden UM525 fixed, and eventually, a WHAM x4 portable for the cockpit. I have put a 3 db whip on the crutch that I can swivel down when trailering.

I plan to mount the radio on the port side below the electrical panel. The UM525 was $171, with S&H, from Buy.com and it arrived yesterday.

Thanks again,

Paul

Paul,
Hope this doesn't belabor the obvious ... the Wham 4 is not correctly referred to as "a portable" in the same sense as handheld units. It is simply an optional wireless microphone for your fixed unit, enabing use of the fixed unit while you are above decks. I amplify this because a portable VHF (stand-alone handheld) can be used from a dinghy back to your vessel, at any distance. That's not true of the Wham 4.

Frank C wrote:Paul,
Hope this doesn't belabor the obvious ... the Wham 4 is not correctly referred to as "a portable" in the same sense as handheld units. It is simply an optional wireless microphone for your fixed unit, enabing use of the fixed unit while you are above decks. I amplify this because a portable VHF (stand-alone handheld) can be used from a dinghy back to your vessel, at any distance. That's not true of the Wham 4.

For that reason I'm buying a handheld. I figure I can tether it to me. If I go overboard I'll have a VHF & GPS to call for help.

I'm also going to get a DSC capable Northstar 710 to interface with my Northstar Chartplotter. That way I have some redundancy in having two radios and the extra safety measure of having one of them tethered to my body at all times.

Frank C wrote:Paul,
Hope this doesn't belabor the obvious ... the Wham 4 is not correctly referred to as "a portable" in the same sense as handheld units. It is simply an optional wireless microphone for your fixed unit, enabing use of the fixed unit while you are above decks. I amplify this because a portable VHF (stand-alone handheld) can be used from a dinghy back to your vessel, at any distance. That's not true of the Wham 4.

Point well taken Frank. That's one of the reasons I am letting actual experience aboard drive the purchase of additional gear for the boat beyond the basics.

Again, thanks to all for your words of wisdom.

Paul