Tag Archives :Fix

When getting your vessel ready for use in the summer months it is important to make sure you kit it out with the right gear. One piece of gear every vessel should have is a reliable marine radio. These radios are available as both a portable handheld and a fixed mount solution. First, what is a handheld VHF? A handheld VHF is as it sounds, a VHF radio that fits in your hand.  ...

The reach of a two-way radio is largely dependent on the output power of the radio. This is measured in watts. As an example, a typical fixed mount radio outputs at 25 watts and is good for a range of in excess of 50 km unobstructed. Handheld radios typically transmit at 5 to 6 watts and are therefore good for a range of 12 to 18 kms.  This is only a rough measure as other aspects affect the effective range of a VHF radio. The antenna type, design and length will have an effect on range.  ...

Digital Selective Calling—DSC—is one of those features that, despite having been standard on every fixed-mount VHF for more than a decade, is little understood and little used by recreational sailors. One reason is perhaps that it requires two devices to be wired together—a process that requires some head-scratching if the two are from different manufacturers. Another might be that DSC requires you to obtain a Marine Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number that must be programmed into the radio.  ...

VHF radio lets boaters have two-way contact with other vessels, rescue services, and anyone else using VHF radios. While they used to be a one-size-fits-all product, these days they have a range of extra features that may better suit your requirements. Here are the features you can choose from at your next marine radio installation.  ...

The most popular way of communicating at sea is via a marine VHF (Very High Frequency) set. These are combined transmitter/receivers that operate on allocated frequencies known as ‘channels’. Marine VHF radios are used for a variety of purposes including; contacting harbours, marinas, locks, summoning the rescue services and ship-to-shore or ship-to-ship communication.  ...