Handheld Radios

[Pond123]

I have a boat that currently does not have a radio installed. Now, I have very little need for a radio other than (hopefully never) making ‘oh crap, I am in trouble’ type broadcasts. So, rather than put in a crappy 27mhz set, what I am thinking of doing is buying a handheld VHF unit for emergency use.

Most of my boating is done on Port Phillip bay, which is an enclosed and well monitored waterway. Handheld radios seem to have a maximum power rating of 5 watts (as opposed to an installed unit, which is 25 watts). This may be a silly question, but what kind of range does a 5 watt radio give you? I am unlikely to ever be more than about 25km away from land in PPB so would a handheld radio suffice?

[chris69]

hi there pond123,you will only get a short range with the 5watt boat to boat close by if you were 25km away from volunteer resscue i dont think they would here you, i got a raymarine 101 vhf 5watt with my A65 combo and thought it would be ok to but its not and i think there only good for about 5km plus its a line of sight thing i hope this helps chees Chris.