VHF Radio- Boat mounted or Hand held

[my three sons]

Hi Wetliners

Can I get some feedback on the pros and cons of VHF radios,is it better to have a fitted or hand held model in a tinnie.

Regards

Cam

[Testlab]

How big is the tinny? Where do you fish? What is the purpose of having it (emergencies, call up mates)?

A fixed mount unit is more powerful and the use of a fixed antenna will have much better range than a handheld. But that won't matter if you will never need those capabilities.

[pjbink]

VHF range is limited to line of sight, so a boat mounted one has greater range due to the height

of the aerial. A portable one (if waterproof) has the advantage of being able to attach to your person

so if you end up in the water you can call up your rescuers.

So if your in a small boat close to shore and fishing alone I would lean towards the portable and clip

it to your lifejacket.

[Testlab]

Something to add, with the CH 21, 22, 81 and 82 repeaters the range of a handheld may be sufficient but inadequate on CH16 in case of emergencies especially when in estuaries or up the Hawkesbury. Although not part of any formal education program on marine radio it is worthwhile remembering that if no answer is heard on CH 16 to change to a repeater channel and try again.

[my three sons]

The tinnie is only going to be about the 4m range and its only needed when we venture down the South coast,otherwise I have been informed that a mobile phone will do the job.The wife wants to make sure that we are safe on the water( I think she is talking about my boys not me ).

Thanks for the feedback so far.