Buying a Handheld VHF

Once away from the mother ship, a handheld VHF is often the best form of communication for a tender.

There are, of course, a number of important factors to consider when purchasing a handheld VHF radio. Water resistance, battery capacity and transmission range are some of the more important ones. But first and foremost, if you are only a charterer and do not have a boat at home, there is no need to spend a fortune: Get the simplest VHF you can. Price will range from $130 to about $400.

Here is what you need to know.

Water Resistance

Most sailors will appreciate a handheld VHF radio that's not only water-resistant, but also actually waterproof. This is something that not every manufacturer can claim, so ask about this feature ("submersible" is usually an accurate term; "watertight" is occasionally misleading). If you're still uncertain how a particular unit will stand up to a good dousing even after you get the lowdown, you should find out how that particular model has fared in previous testing.

If you decide against a waterproof unit, you can use one of those waterproof pouches you will find in any marine store.

Battery Capacity

An important feature for most sailors, and some of the smallest handheld VHF units are impressive in this regard. You also want to know what is powering the unit you're looking at. Rechargeable electronics, Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries have become pretty standard. There really isn't a downside to them, but there are now superior forms of batteries— Lithium Ion (Li-on) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)—that are smaller, lighter and have improved capacity for their size.

Also, since all charter boats are equipped with DC power, having a 12-volt battery charger that's adapted for your unit is an essential feature, since most charter boats do not have an AC-DC inverter but 1 or 2 12-volt outlets. Several manufacturers include this as standard equipment, and it's definitely a worthwhile option.

Range

The effective range of a handheld VHF is not only related to its battery power, but also to antenna's height. On most handheld VHF radios, the transmission range will generally not exceed 4 miles, depending how obstructing is the local geography. You can, however, increase the range substantially by using an external antenna, and many units are fit with an adapting port specifically for this purpose—another feature we'd recommend sailboat owners to consider.

A Versatile Alternative to VHF: FRS (Family Radio Service)

If you've been to an amusement park lately, or ski slopes, no doubt you've witnessed kids and parents running around while chatting into what appears to be walkie-talkies. These devices, called FRS units (Family Radio Service) have become more sophisticated over time and more popular since they were introduced in 1997. Since then, almost every electronics company on the planet has introduced its own take on the device.

The FCC has set aside 14 frequencies for FRS units, most of which operate on a half watt of power and can communicate up to two miles without significant obstructions. Some units offer a voice scramble feature so only others with the same model can receive communication from that unit. Others have ring and beep functions to alert the user to an incoming call. Most have battery packs that will allow the FRS to work for prolonged periods.

These items can be very handy for a sailing crew on shore that needs a way of contacting its members. Prices for these units range from $40.00 a pair to $200.00 depending upon the bells and whistles included.

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