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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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VHF handheld question:

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/24/2005 : 14:33:06

Which VHF handhelds have the greatest transmission range? The ICOM M32LI has been recommended. Range is most important since my newly purchased C-250 has no radio or antenna. Thanks in advance

Frank Farmer
Long Beach, CA
aa.diver@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/aa.diver

PRETTY PENNY
'01 C-250 WK, Hull #558

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2005 : 16:57:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by FARMHAND
 Which VHF handhelds have the greatest transmission range? The ICOM M32LI has been recommended. Range is most important since my newly purchased C-250 has no radio or antenna. Thanks in advance

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Depending on the height of the antenna, handheld radios have a range of around 3-5 miles.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2005 : 00:14:12

IHMO: Shop for a handheld based on reliability, ease of use, battery life and waterproofness.

I have an ICOM, and I have been very pleased with it. Regarding range, I've talked out 10 miles or so but that was to the Coast Guard. They have top-grade equipment... and their antenna here is about 150' off the water. Boat to boat, 5 miles or so is doing good.

Since VHF is basically line of sight, you have to go to a masthead antenna to get good range. While a cell phone is NO REPLACEMENT FOR A VHF, on coastal waters (at least around here) you can often talk reliably further out on your phone than regular VHF.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2005 : 10:08:45

Hi Clambeach, I have been looking at radios and was wondering where I would mount an antenna for a hand held or fix radio. The Windex is on top of the mast so where would I put the antenna? Cheers.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2005 : 10:59:02

You have a couple options up at the masthead.

First alternative is to use a mounting arm (usually a piece of aluminum) to move the windex far enough aft to clear the antenna. (Just a matter of arranging antenna and windex mounts.)

The other alternative is to purchase one of the windex models designed to fit over a VHF antenna whip. (link below to West Marine page Windex, AV Antenna Vane [Windex 15] - #3160

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=27246

You'll be wanting to purchase one of the short whip antennas made for sailboats. The signal pattern of the antenna is designed to be effective when the boat it heeled.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2005 : 11:45:14

Thanks CB. I went into WM two days ago and they signed me up for the new boat owner 10% discount so I guess I better get on that as the discount is only good for 30 days. Can I also mount my am/fm antenna up there without confliction with the VHF signal? Cheers.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2005 : 23:20:25

I believe you can mount your AM/FM antenna up there, however all it did was wire the antenna to the chainplate, I now have a 30 foot antenna that picks up everything from Detroit to Buffalo with half of Canada included.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2005 : 23:25:18

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2005 : 17:16:16

Hi Duane, that is a great idea, but I thought AM/FM antennas have two wires. Don't they use a co-ax with an inner core wire and outer braided wire? Cheers.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2005 : 17:34:34

I have my windex on a bracket which offsets from the masthead towards the stern (duh, so I can see it)
I also have a masthead mounted Shakespeare whip antenna. I then connect the antenna to a Shakespeare splitter, which cost about 25 bucks. This splitter lets you hook up your VHF radio, and also your FM radio to the same antenna. Somehow it has a circuit which seperates the signal, and lets you transmit without blowing up your FM radio. I use the Shakespeare centerpin connectors, which are solderless, and pretty easy to attach, so you can make your own antenna leads.
The whole system works great.
I also have a backup handheld Icom M88, which is submersible, and has a lithium ion battery. Works great when on the dingy.
For offshore use, I want range, thus the masthead mounted antenna. If I was only sailing on a local lake, then a handheld would work just fine.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2005 : 18:10:12

That sounds like a good way to go Frank. I was concerned about blowing out the AM/FM. The lead going up the mast for the origian whip is shot so I know I have to replace that, but it still stumps me as to why the guy would take the old antenna??? Hopefully I will have the mast down next week to put an antenna back in place and make sure all the shives are in working order. Cheers.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2005 : 22:51:45

djn,

It very well may be two wires - however I remember the antenna as a single yellow wire coming out of the back of the unit. I actually bought the unit for a tape player back then (now I throw in a cd converter tape) so I wasn't too concerned about the radio, figuring I could get am if I really needed it. So I ran it to the mast, it works like a charm, I've moved on to sattelite radio now, but still listen to the radio event.

duane

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.