Types and Features:
Handheld VHF Radios
The benefits of handheld VHF radios are numerous. Even if you already have a fixed mount and/or any other type of radio on board, a handheld VHF can save your life. Why? If your electrical system happens to go out on the boat, none of the on board systems will be working and having a handheld as a backup will be your only line of communication to receive help.
VHF handhelds also offer many of the same features found on fixed-mount units. One advantage is the portability of a handheld such as that of a cordless phone. They may be just perfect for a dinghy or a small boat without its own electrical system. Handheld VHF radios do have a limited range of five miles due to their short antennas. They also have a maximum output of six watts. Connecting an external antenna or using a telescoping antenna can achieve a significant increase in range.
Battery life on hand helds vary with the size of the battery pack. Many models have optional battery packs with longer operating times, or greater transmitting power, or both. Some have battery saver circuits that turn off the receiver to save power. The battery life of a handheld can be increased by switching from full transmit power to one watt of transmit power. Options of different kinds of batteries range from Ni-Cd to alkaline to lithium.
Fixed Mount VHF Radios
VHF radios of today are broken up into two main categories; fixed mount and hand held. As far as which is a better product, that is based upon the needs of the person who will use it. Many models can be mounted flush to the dash of the boat. Some have a die-cast aluminum construction for durability, heat dispersion, and signal clarity. For added communication privacy, optional voice scramblers can be added to your system.
Fixed mount VHF radios have a maximum output of 25 watts. This is the maximum allowed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). Since the system that is used by VHF radios is a line-of-sight system, meaning the radio waves will not bend to follow the curvature of the earth, than the height of the antenna is more important than the radio wattage. The antenna of the radio must "see" the antenna of a distant station, which allows the effective useful range of a VHF radio to be about 20-25 miles.
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