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localboy



Joined: 30 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:19 pm    Post subject: Advice on handheld VHF Reply with quote

We had a very lightly used ICOM handheld. Now it no longer transmits or receives. It's not worth sending back for repair since it's near the price of a new low end unit just to have them look at it. Because of our experience and other bad reviews of ICOM I'm not spending any more money with them. I'm looking for input, suggestions, experiences, opinions etc on other brands.

We have two primary VHFs on board; one tied to our GPS for AIS/DSC etc so this unit is primarily for emergencies, communicating when we are off the boat etc. It need not do everything and I don't need all the bells & whistles.

Mahalo.

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ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 4:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Standard Horizon. I have an HX280. Granted I don't use it much, but it goes a couple of years between battery charges. I keep it in the ditch bag.

Mostly used when out in the dinghy to call "home".
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MikeR



Joined: 21 Apr 2013
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 4:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Same here, I've also had the HX280s, for what seems like 10 years or so. I can't seem to kill it no matter how badly I neglect it...sitting in the boat or garage for months unused, the original battery always seems to have a full charge. Bought it on a sale at Defender, I think for about $89 all those years ago. The current version, the HX380 is currently $121 at Defender, probably still a good value.

-Mike

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thataway



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PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a West Marine--which I love--had it for years--It has a battery tray and has metal case, which has no corrosion.

I have 2 Standard Horizons HX 100, which were two for $ about $100 on sale. Works fine.

My favorite is The Standard Horizon HX 870--now you can get the HX 890-which has the additional feature of a FM broadcast band, and encoded channels. Not only waterproof and floats. Full functioning GPS--with ability to put in waypoints and do basic navigation. The best feature, is that it is fully DSC compliant with a separate channel 70 receiver. Add your MMSI number and you have a great emergency radio.

The West, an Icom I keep in the ditch bag, and the SH all have Alkaline battery treys. That way, if in a ditch bag, and the rechargable battery is discharged, you can use AA or AAA batteries. Also you don't have to have a separate GPS in the ditch bag. It is also a great dinghy VHF--you can put in the waypoint when you leave your boat, and if the fog sets in, or late at night, navigate directly to the bost with the dinghy.

In rough weather we clip the 870 to our inflatable life jackets as well as the PLB--and in case of MOB or catastrophe--you have a DSC radio and EPIRB on your person!

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BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SH HX851 with GPS

Mostly use it when anchored and fishing to monitor 16, 9 and weather, and turn off fixed radio. It has a lot of features and for me, takes time to learn the features. I added my MMSI number to it. Personally with so few buttons and so many features, it is not easy to find a feature quickly or tell The Admiral to change a setting. It came with AA battery pack for backup power. Nonetheless, it is well built and will last for years.

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colbysmith



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PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 9:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've been happy with a cheap Uniden MHS75. Very basic without any bells and whistles other than weather alert or dual watch.
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have two Standard Horizon HX851's that I try to work to death. On my PFD, used for monitoring when at anchor, carry in the inflatable, and one in a ditch bag. Still work great, DSC capable with GPS (I think), though I have not used that feature -- pretty sure it is there because of the DSC. (Yup, just checked the box. They float, have an automatic white strobe if they get dunked, and will do weather radio alerts. Most of those features yhou don't need when you are on the "Mother ship" but if you are off on the dingy, or have it on your PFD and go overboard, they might come in handy.

Not as small as the West Marine but tough as nails.

Harvey
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localboy



Joined: 30 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got a nice Amazon card for 20 yrs at work (the city I'm assigned to takes care of us; the county could care less).

With it I bought a SH HX380. It's small and simple. Exactly what I needed in a handheld. Thanks everyone who contributed.
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hardee



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PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 2:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark, Congrats on the 20 years, and thank you for being out there. You and you brothers and sisters are appreciated -- at least by some of us. (Need a flag with a blue stripe emogee here.)

I think you will be happy with that SH radio. I mostly boat alone, but have 2 HH's and swap them off from PFD duty to ditchbag service. Even with 3 fixed mount vhf's there are times the HH gets put into use enroute.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon
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localboy



Joined: 30 Sep 2006
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City/Region: Lake Stevens via Honolulu
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: 'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
Photos: 'AU KAI
PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PM sent Harvey...
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Peter & Judy



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PostPosted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My wife and I have a pair of Standard Horizon HX870's which we bought primarily for sea kayaking. We carry them on the C-Dory when we leave the mothership in the kayaks and one normally stays in the ditch bag. We like them very much.
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JMacLeod



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PostPosted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We use a pair of Standard Horizon HX870's also.
So far we've been very happy with them too.
Eventually I'll get finished installing the Icom M506 in the console and then the handhelds will go in the kayak and ditch bags.
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garyf



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PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Based on comments in this thread, I just picked up an HX890.

All I've done so far is put it together and put it on the charger - but one question comes to mind... as a ham radio operator, I'm accustomed to replacing the factory supplied antenna with a higher quality aftermarket antenna on my ham handhelds.

Is that a "thing" with Marine handhelds? Anyone here do it? While I'm pretty sure it'd improve transmission and reception, I don't want to jump on that without hearing experiences of others - in particular, I don't want to turn a floater into a sinker in the process.

Appreciate any input.

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gulfcoast john



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PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

GaryF,
We found two SH 871 to be bulletproof, MMSI and DSC, alk battery alternate case, waterproof and floaters for our ditchbag.

I hope Bob Austin will comment re your antenna replacement query...he is the HAM radio expert here and I would and will do whatever he advises...
John

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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gary, I can't say I have heard of swapping antenna(s) more than maybe once or twice. The handheld, no matter which brand is power limited to 5 or 6 watts, and range is maybe out to 3-4 miles in my experience. And since it is a line of sight signal, getting much past that is only going to work if you are standing on top of the cabin. I guess that could happen if you are experiencing a real emergency, but in that case you might be wanting to use a full powered, fixed base unit unless of course you are up to your neck in the water, and then you are not going to get out past that 5 mile range (curvature of the earth syndrome), anyway.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

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