Subject says it all. Not necessarily for use on my catamaran, but on boats that are supposed to have working radios (i.e. bareboat charters). I just got back from cruising with a group of teens in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior, and much to my chagrind, the radio didn't work worth a darn. Luckily there were three other boats in the party who could get weather, etc., but if plans changed, I was very much in the dark.

So...thinking of getting a handheld vhf.

Your recommendations would be appreciated!

Cheers!

Tim

I've got a Uniden that I'm pretty pleased with. It was dropped inside my monoslug and after hitting the floorboards, it wouldn't receive anymore. I sent it back and it was promptly repaired for nothin' with no hassle by Uniden. Before you think it's "fragile" consider that it has survived three Tybee 500s and a bunch inbetween

Try that with a 5 month old Tivo (don't ask)!

Tim, I can't remember which radio they recommended, but hopefully Gary Friesen and Bill Mattson will pipe in. They are the authorities on submersible. Bill actually changed West Marine's ratings for "waterproof" and "submersible", and got a bunch of us free waterproof pouches to boot!

From Hobie Gary:

Re: VHF Radio

With my Icom M32-Li I was sailing a Tornado on a broad reach, going
12-18 knots when a tall wave hit me and took me right over the rear
cross bar. I dragged in the ocean for some time before getting back
on the boat. One of the first things I did was to get the radio off
of my shoulder and give it a test. The reception was gurgled until I
banged it on my hand about 25 times to get the water out of the
speaker enclosure. Everything worked fine after that.

Shortly before that, I did an extensive test for Bill and Gary's
EXCELLENT Adventures. We haven't had time to do anything with it yet,
but it is impressive to see what this radio can endure.

GARY

The most recent issue of Practical Sailor has a review of handheld VHF radios in the upper price range (over $175), an upcoming article promises to cover less expensive models.

They tested a variety of things, including a submersion test (which all radios passed, an improvement).

Their picks:
Budget buy: Standard Horizon HX370S
Best Choice: Standard Horizon HX600S
Recommended: ICOM IC-M72
Recommended: ICOM IC-M88

For me, I have the ICOM IC-M88. I'm pretty happy. The only issue has been the rechargeable battery has toasted itself, but I tend to use the AA battery pack more anyway. It's had more than a couple of dunkings and so far it still works.

All this being said, keeping the radio in a fitted dry bag will really help extend it's life.

I second that. I don't care how "waterproof" the radio claims to be, it still goes in a bag. That's the best $20 insurance policy I've seen so far.. The bag also has a nice lanyard to tie the radio off (to the boat, to you, whatever).

Besides water-resistance, should he be considering the transmit power?

Hi Tim, Remind me to show you my Apelco at our next mutual regatta. I had the battery upgraded after a few years, but other than that, its been quite reliable.

Wally

I really bang the crap out of my radio and it often sees 20 mph water impact. I never use a bag to protect it. The radio I have now is a year old and has seen hundreds of miles of use in the ocean. I really love the (ABS?) plastic case for its light weight, corrosion resistance, and overall toughness. I have only rinsed this radio in fresh water about 6 times in a year. I usually "put it way wet and salty."

Here is my one year affirmation vote for Icom M32 series handhelds.
Waterproof vhf radio endorsement

Waterproof vhf radio endorsement by Gary Friesen of BAGEA, Bill and
Gary's Excellent! Adventures.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beachcats/message/61697
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beachcats/message/61798
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beachcats/message/61928

http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=2pysrxt
duplicate here:
dunking a radio

My advise is to smear an ultra thin layer of dielectric grease (tune up
grease, auto parts store; made for spark plug boots) on the charging
contacts, then cover entire charging contact area with either elec. tape
or duct tape. This will prevent electrolysis across the contacts and
thereby will a) save battery life and b) save the contacts from corrosion.

My criticisms:

I wish that the battery was as large as the one on my old Icom Mv1.

I wish that the broadcast and receive quality was as good as my old icom Mv1. (Even so, this M32 is very close to being just as good as the Mv1.)

I wish that the water would drain out of the speaker's bezel a bit easier. (I may drill an extra hole for this.)

GARY

I recently walked into West Marine, a Very Big U.S. retailer of marine sailing goods. I still do not see any radios that can compete with the Icom M32 for submersibility in the price range of under $500 USD.

The icom M32 and M32-LI are the only ones that I see that have NO Through The Case mechanical control knobs.

Here is an updated version of the BAGEA endorsement.


See me dunk my radio for 40 minutes Bill and Gary's Excellent Adventures

GARY

West Marine is having a sail on them right now. $150 for the lithium one. I have the older model, NmHs, and like it alot.

Later,
Dan

Here is link for it.

http://www.westmarinebooks.com/webapp/wc...roductId=151890

Doug

Standard Horizon or Icom - both can take a beating, and like being dunked. I prefer the Standard Horizon HX350S

I have been using this radio for the past three years with no issues. Some of the abuse this thing has taken; left in a bucket of water overnight and still works perfect, left in tramp bag after a hard day of ocean sailing for about two weeks still works perfect, dropped on the pavement from the deck of a NACRA 5.8 on a trailer to the pavement still works perfect. And, I attach this radio to my life vest so you know it is getting drenched with almost every sail. As well I have tested while transmitting with head just above water and was able to communicate with other boats perfectly and I think the transmitter is a little more powerful than the Icom

Icom makes a good product too. I have the IC-A22 (Aviation Radio) and never had a problem with it in the past 10 years that I have owned it. This radio has also been dropped, left in the sun, left out overnight atop a wing (dew), and dropped again – and the communication and navigation properties still work great. If they did their homework with the Marine as they did with the others they make it should be a good product.

My advice on getting a VHF Handheld – don’t go cheap – both of these have saved my kiester and won’t leave terra firma with out them.