Why Buy a VHF?

skip · May 05, 2006, 22:34:31 CET

If you're heading out in your boat, having a VHF is an extremely valuable safety tool. Many feel they can get by with a mobile phone, but today a handheld VHF is not an expensive proposition and something that once you get, you'll feel lost without.

Having one on board gives you the piece of mind that if you need assistance, its just a radio call away and you won't be told "You have no credit remaining" !! If you're entering Valletta port you are supposed to contact Valletta Port Control to state your intentions.....large commercial traffic can always be found moving around and they won't stop if you're in their way, the biggest wins. Nonetheless if you have suffered engine failure etc you need to be able to radio in as quick as possible to help the controllers take appropriate action.

If you're out at sea you can also speak with others boats if needed, keep an eye out on the weather with weather reports being transmitted over the Air etc. I make it a point of carrying both a fixed base unit on the boat as well as a handheld for backup purposes.

Keep on Boating and Keep it Safe!

Skip

BG · May 17, 2006, 10:31:55 CET

Hey Skip,

Can you recommend any good handheld VHF's?

BG

skip · May 17, 2006, 16:00:00 CET

Things I look for are waterproof or at least Splash proof. Icom make very good sets as do Humminbird, but I have a Handheld VHF shootout in a magazine so will post the top three shortly.

Skip

Aab131 · October 24, 2007, 13:25:44 CET

Skip, I am interested in buying one VHF could you pls help since it's the first one for me and I have no idea of what brands are good?? from where?? an estimate of costings?? all you need to know about it. (If it's a problem to mention brands and shops could you please reply back by sending a personal message) Thks in advance

givella · October 24, 2007, 13:58:17 CET

Try this link. The shop is in Gzira.
You can choose either a hand held VHF or fixed.
http://www.medcomms.com.mt

skip · October 24, 2007, 19:35:58 CET

Medcomms is good, but Icom are quite pricey, so it depends on your budget.

Then you have Fabian Enterprises in the same road as Medcomms, RLR on the other side offering Raymarine which are good too and next to him Camilleri offering Humminbird.

If you buy a fixed set, def get a DSC type as they will be the standard soon. Handheld there's no need.

I'm afraid I'm a bit out of touch on prices, but set a budget against your requirements. Waterproof will always be more.

This link might help you

http://www.rya.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/1810320D-DB5D-4325-A263-4077A88172A2/0/HandheldVHF_DOC_working.doc

Skip

shanook · October 24, 2007, 19:47:24 CET

The difference between choosing hand held to base is how far out one intends to go. If you exceed 12 miles better go for a base unit as with a hand held it might get difficult to communicate in case emergency. Hand helds being less powerful that base. Mind you its always better to have at least a handheld unit whenever you intend to go out at sea. I always carry base and a handheld unit it is never safe enough when dealing with ones life.
I think that Caruana of Bir id deheb has some units as well. I have never complain and I had Shakespear, Lomax and last one is an Icom. A friend of mine bought one from Mecca (St pauls bay) and he found it ok so far.

Aab131 · October 25, 2007, 11:53:04 CET

Thks everyone for your useful help once more. Next Saturday I will go and searching in a few shops and compare them together. Thks again

gottie · October 26, 2007, 08:44:08 CET

I recomend icom m 72. I got one from medcoms in Gzira. Its water resistant, more powerful than most handhelds and compact. If you totally immerse it in water it will still work. It costs around Lm95 (Euro 221).

Aab131 · October 26, 2007, 15:38:27 CET

Thks Gottie therefore in your opinion one like that is good to stay coastal (approx 4 miles out approx) will be fine? Still will have good reception even if it is Handheld. Also normally these radios are covered with any type of waranty. Sorry for bothering but I am new on Boat Fishing. Thks again

gottie · April 15, 2008, 19:22:53 CET

By the way, since a couple of months ago licence fees on marine VHF's have been completely removed.

busumark · April 15, 2008, 19:46:48 CET

hi gottie where have you been during winter? to day i phoned the wireless dept and there was a very nice guy called alan cassar their technical officer and he told me that to be registered in malta a VHF has to be CE approved and has International channels only. he told me that a lot of people are buying them from the internet because they are cheaper but 8 out of 10 are not good to be registered in malta. so you have to pay attention before you buy one from the net

skip · April 15, 2008, 21:33:31 CET

Indeed, US based models contain other channels and with no CE stamp cannot be imported into Europe. They are only FCC compliant, they don't meet EU ETSI standards.

shanook · April 15, 2008, 21:54:49 CET

Hi Gottie nice to hear u again, did u hibernate mate?
Not only that skip I bought a radio from Italy which is used by everyone there without any bother, and its was not complaint with Maltese authorities. I had to scrap it. I dont know if regulations have changed since then. Always make the necessary research before taking a decision.

benri · April 15, 2008, 21:55:32 CET

I just got a relatively good handheld for less than Lm55 from Caruana in Bir id deheb (behind Montebello). The model is Navicom RT-311 and it is also registered (you need to take your boat licence with you to buy one). It also comes with a 2 year warranty.
http://www.scortel.com/upload/product_45_en.pdf