handheld Vhf advice please

[ragman]

Hi there.

Looking for a bit ofadvice on which handheld Vhf to get. Irealise that a fixed mount will be better but I don’t go offshore all thatoften. My thoughts for getting the handheld are I can take it in the kayak whenI head out as well. It will mainly be used in moreton bay and occasionallyoffshore from moreton and gold coast. I wont be headingmiles out as I only have a 5m boat. I was thinking of getting something likethe UNIDEN Atlantis 260 VHF. Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on this vhf and if therange will be enough for what I want to use it forr.

Thanks Craig

This splashproof VHF Marine handheld unit is ideal formobile marine communication. It is fully splashproof and Certified to meet theworld standard JIS4 splashproof level. The portable two-way radio is compactand lightweight and fits easily into the palm of your hand when you are on yourboat.

You are able to switch between 1 watt output, to preserve the life of thebattery and 5 watt output, which provides maximum transmission power. The LargeLCD Display and Keypad is backlit for easy viewing at night or in low lightsituations. The Atlantis 260 is also equipped with Triple Watch Mode whichmonitors Channel 16 and Channel 9 simultaneously for a signal while at the sametime allowing you to listen to the selected channel. It also has One TouchEmergency Channel 16 allowing you at the touch of a button you have access toemergency channel 16 or channel 9.

Designed in Japan to offer outstanding performance in virtually all conditionsand situations. Uniden’s Atlantis 260 is durable enough to take anywhere andideal for boating, marine, fisherman, commercial Use, recreational fishing andso much more. With extended range and crystal clear sound, the Atlantis 260 isthe ultimate in marine communications.

Features
Designed and Engineered in Japan
Ergonomic and Rugged Design
5 Watts Maximum TX Output Power
Splashproof
Backlit LCD Display and Keypad
Triple Watch Mode
One Touch Emergency Channel 16
Memory Scan
Auto Battery Save
Keypad
AdditionalFeatures
Operating Time: 10-13hrs

[=Wookie=]

I had an Atlantis for about 2 months before it died, had it repaired and it died again so I got another brand as I could not trust it. It was probably just a lemon though.

When it was working it was good, I used it in Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Straights. Battery life was good.

[joey_1987]

Icom tend to make the best handhelds, made in Japan but you pay for them. They're a bit cheaper from the US than from here. I bought a Standard Horizon myself, a Japanese company but most of their stuff is made in their factory in China. So far so good, I have even tested it by submersing it underwater. Model is HX370, I understand they have released several new models since then including some that float if that's what you're after. I read mixed thoughts about the Uniden range with many people saying they failed (customers who had bought them and reviewed them). Rarely read a bad thing about Icom or Standard Horizon. HX290s, which is a new one I remember that floats goes for about $100-$110USD and the equivalent Icom is about $50-$60 more.

[ragman]

ok thanks. Is there any problem with buying a handheld from the U.S and using it in australia?

[DTHCoCo]

ok thanks. Is there any problem with buying a handheld from the U.S and using it in australia?

Icom units are world wide compatible, as a handheld I own 2 of icoms ic-m88 my main unit is an icom ic-m604 all units purchased online out of the states.

[testlab]

ok thanks. Is there any problem with buying a handheld from the U.S and using it in australia?

Make sure it supports the International VHF channels as well as the USA ones. There are handhelds in the USA that are specifically for use on inland waterways and rivers. These ones use simplex instead of duplex on some channels and some are not fitted with all the relevant frequencies for Australia (but have others not supported outside the USA).

Check the specs and make sure it supports all International VHF Marine channels. Avoid ones that are promoted primarily for bridge communications as they will be very low power.

Hope this helps.

[ragman]

Thanks for the help guys. Now just wondering if anyone has used one in moreton bay and what coverage is like. A few people I have spoken to say that i wont get coverage once i get halfway across the bay towards moreton.

[Bear001]

I got a Standard Horizon HX750 for our Moreton Bay & Gladstone offshore trip....cant remember the coverage on Moreton Im sorry, but had no worries with it at Gladstone, we only ventured approx 30klm offshore (4.5m hornet) but for the money and usage we thought it was great value.

Purchased it via this mob http://www.myshopkart.net/koalagps/p...ts_id=48301297

[QF3 MROCP]

Thanks for the help guys. Now just wondering if anyone has used one in moreton bay and what coverage is like. A few people I have spoken to say that i wont get coverage once i get halfway across the bay towards moreton.

If you do purchase from overseas, make sure it has an INT/USA feature on it. When using it in Aus, switch it to INT mode. That way the unit is then aligned to the VHF channel and it's respective frequencies in AU.

As for a hand held in "the Bay" - Hand helds generally have a max power of 5 watts compered to 25 for the fixed mounted units so there will be a shorter range of transmission. There are a number of working channels used from the North to South of the bay so you need to be aware of that. Also, VHF transmission/reception is governed by the height of the sending receiving antennas and line of sight so in some pockets of the bay you may have to switch channel to be heard. I've been a night rescue at Flinders Reef and the rescue coordinator used a held held to talk to water police back at Whyte Island, admittedly it went via a repeater channel off the Cape so coverage was ok. Best advice - get a fixed mount, backed up with a hand held so in an emergency you can take it with you if you have to leave the vessel.

NOTE: Distress Channel 9 is NOT used in Australia. We use International 16 and subsequent channel 67 if Seelonce Mayday is imposed on 16 for search & rescue.

[Triple]

Prestige are comparable to the US for prices and are easy to deal with..

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index....jbgtcbol1pgr61

[LittleSkipper]

Gidday Craig

I have the Uniden Atlantis 260 model you've referred to and have had no problems, issues or breakdowns since it was purchased early 2010, being only splashproof one would assume that the minute any excessive amount of water enters the unit then you can kiss the electronics goodbye. But as I have the holding unit's bracket mounted in a tight little corner of the cuddy cabin of the boat (See Signature Pic Below) away from excessive water then I think it should give me many years of service. The purchase of a 100% waterproof unit would be the best option for total offshore work.

Regards
Wayne.

[MyWay]

I had Uniden atlantis 250 and was good for 4-5 years and I lost it between moving house
I could give 10/10 for unit how good was
good think it had rechargeable battery and also another case which I could just putt
4X AAA battery and change over when main battery get flat

peformenace was excellent
if I stand on top of my tinnie I could talk to guys at Barwon banks from Rainbow canal in moreton bay

myway

[ragman]

Righto. Thanks again for all the information. I think i will end up going a fixed mount in the boat for now as it is used more often where it would be required. A ssuggested I will probably buy a handheld further down the track. Cheers craig