I have a Uniden UM355 VHF radio that has succumbed to the humidity in the boat and completely broken down.
I feel the need to have a VHF radio because it makes me feel safer knowing I can call for help on something
"professional", however, being a Pittwater sailor I don't need a fullblown rescue system so I'm wondering if
a 5 watt handheld will suffice. I like the idea of taking it home with me in the carry bag I always have so that
it's out of the humid environment. Good idea or not ??.
The range on the 5w handheld is no where near as good as the 20w fixed with aerial.
We we have both. The lack of range is quite frustrating some times. I was even considering a thread on how to improve.
It is useful for race starts, but not offshore emergencies.
Ed
Within Pittwater, the handheld will do the job, mostly. You will struggle to be heard in a few spots tho, such as McCarrs, The Basin and on the northern side of West Head (yes even though Terry Hills is just up the road). But as there are usually enough boats around to respond, that should not be a problem. If the handheld is not received in those spots, use your mobile as it will work in those areas. Just have the local water police on speed dial.
When you get to the stage of doing offshore trips, then replace the fixed vhf.
I would fit a fixed radio regardless.
Mine is a GME GX 700 which I have not used yet but I have a lot of faith in GME products. It is IPX7 waterproof rated and was the bonus pack coming with a really neat emergency torch.
This radio is easy to dismount and take home if you wish. Pretty good buying at $289.
www.gme.net.au/catalogue/fixed-mount-radios/vhf-marine-radio/gx700w.aspx
For $20 less you can get the GX800 hand held which floats. I don't know how they managed that.
www.gme.net.au/catalogue/hand-held-radios/gx800w.aspx
I also have a Uniden Atlantis 250 hand held which I paid $250 for and I am quite happy with though it is a discontinued model.
Uniden and GME seem to be fairly well par with their latest offerings.
If you can afford it I believe it is worth having a fixed and a handheld. Handheld is handy when going exploring in the dinghy.
Thanks for the response fellas. Just as an aside but still on the same subject of effects of humidity, does anyone
spray the back of their control panels with WD40 or similar to stop this from happening ??.
No, I haven't sprayed the back of mine which must be 20 years old or more.
Concur with Cisco, a fixed installation with the aerial on the mast is the way to go. As you know I was in Pittwater for many years and I have a very good Uniden hand held I use for Lord Howe. It was pretty useless after you have rounded West Head. There might be other boats around but they aren't going to have their radios on normally and if they are they won't be listening for you so they can relay for you.
I have used my VHF up in there a few times for various reasons that you could argue were necessary calls. I called Marine Rescue for a bloke who had run out of petrol in his stink boat and another time to check on the passage of a front coming through.
You don't need anything more than a basic VHF without DSC for your sailing environment. If the cabling and aerial are Ok it will cost a couple of hundred $$ and an hour of your'e time to install it
Select to expand quotesamsturdy said..
Thanks for the response fellas. Just as an aside but still on the same subject of effects of humidity, does anyone
spray the back of their control panels with WD40 or similar to stop this from happening ??.
I have sprayed the back of electronic circuit cards with varnish to enhance their marine environment durability. The correct varnish for this purpose can be purchased from J-Car. Not even sure if it helped, but I felt better for doing it :)
Select to expand quoteCav30 said..
The range on the 5w handheld is no where near as good as the 20w fixed with aerial.
We we have both. The lack of range is quite frustrating some times. I was even considering a thread on how to improve.
It is useful for race starts, but not offshore emergencies.
Ed
We have both and I do find the hand held a bit more convenient. My controls are downstairs.
In an emergency there is also a chance the hand held will end up in the water.
I carry flares which are my back up offshore.
We have had both on previous boats. The fixed radio is used most of the time but the hand held is used when exploring in the dinghy and as a backup to the fixed radio.
Our hand held can be kooked to the main radio's antennae if necessary but even when this is done it still doesn't have the range of the fixed radio.
As long as you are aware of the limitations hand helds are a good option. Best option of course is to have both.
Wealso have a cpl of citizen band uhf 5w hand held radio's for when crew/visitors go ashore for bushwalking etc so that we can keep in contact and in case of emergencies etc.
Hope this helps
I have an old GME, the one we used to make phone calls on! Works perfect and with a SS masthead aerial has exceptional range. I also have a waterproof handheld Uniden on a lanyard that clips on to the cockpit coaming. The lanyard is to go around my neck and my lifejacket has a tag I sewed on so that the handheld can be clipped to it. I rarely use the handheld but it is very handy in close quarters and I think would be very handy in places like Sydney Harbour.
With my basic flow through ventilation there is no humidity to worry about and I think ensuring there is a decent flow of air through your boat while on the mooring might be the first step.
Sam have you ever tried damprid from the supermarket in your cabin.
Seems to work well for me this time of year although in Summer up here it fills in a couple of days
I have both but if I had to choose only 1 I would go with the handheld. Mine is 6W so a little more powerful than many others, it's a Standard Horizon I bought online from the US. It is waterproof and floats (I haven't tested it though??). If I have to go in the water at some point it will come with me along with the grab bag so I could potentially contact rescue services/other boats. I recall reading of the guy (I forget his name) who was adrift in a life raft for weeks and who said he would have been rescued much sooner if he had had a Handheld as he had seen many ships in the distance who didn't see him.
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..
Sam have you ever tried damprid from the supermarket in your cabin.
Seems to work well for me this time of year although in Summer up here it fills in a couple of days
Yes BB. We use Damprid all the time, I also have a solar vent on the front hatch and a breather gap where
the rear hatch overhangs the storm boards. So the boat is by no means airtight.
Select to expand quoteCockpit said..
I have both but if I had to choose only 1 I would go with the handheld. Mine is 6W so a little more powerful than many others, it's a Standard Horizon I bought online from the US. It is waterproof and floats (I haven't tested it though??). If I have to go in the water at some point it will come with me along with the grab bag so I could potentially contact rescue services/other boats. I recall reading of the guy (I forget his name) who was adrift in a life raft for weeks and who said he would have been rescued much sooner if he had had a Handheld as he had seen many ships in the distance who didn't see him.
That's interesting Cocky, I have seen them when googling radios. I'll have another look and see what I think.
Select to expand quotesamsturdy said..
Yes BB. We use Damprid all the time, I also have a solar vent on the front hatch and a breather gap where
the rear hatch overhangs the storm boards. So the boat is by no means airtight.
Ideally should have a scoop forward and an exhaust vent right near the stern and hatch way vents.
