Walkie Talkies; 2 way radios

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• krash Posts: 699 Officer

  July 2011 #2

  Handheld VHF...

  Old Fugger who just likes to fish

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• Yaksquatch Posts: 499 Officer

  July 2011 #3

  I agree, don't bother with the 2-packs of walki's. Most are not worth your time and can't handle saltwater. You need a Marine VHF that is AT LEAST submersible, even better if it floats or tie a piece of pool noodle to it. Be sure to read the manual and familiarize yourself with proper hailing etiquette as well as procedure to Mayday if it hits the fan!
  
  Good luck,
  Alex

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• Pit Posts: 7 Greenhorn

  July 2011 #4

  I'm used to using a panel mount VHF in aircraft. Are there open freq's to use with the VHF? I'm used to FCC regulated channels. Sorry if that's a noob question, just never used a handheld for this reason.
  Thanks...

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• ruskinredneck Posts: 1,121 Officer

  July 2011 #5

  I use a Garmin Rhino GPS/radio. It has a function that allows you to see where the other person is on the GPS. Very handy at the hunting camp also.

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• guido4198 Posts: 2,247 Captain

  July 2011 #6

  Another SERIOUS vote for handheld marine VHF.
  To answer your question, I have used the inexpensive 2-ways. Also used the "message function" on cell phones.
  Scrap all that...go with a MARINE Handheld VHF. Get all you can afford. If you can go for the internal GPS so much the better. All this might seem like a bit of overkill...right up until YOU NEED IT, REAL BAD.

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• Lt.FireDog Posts: 1,112 Officer

  July 2011 #7

  Another yes for a handheld VHF!
  My fishing partner and I both carry one, alot of the time we're fishing out of sight of each other (really important when fishing Jax'ville) on the hunt, when one get's in the fish the other is just a shout away....beats using a cell phone.
  I carry the Standard Horizon HX750S floating 6 watt. He carries a Icom M32.
  
  

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• livebhater Posts: 62 Deckhand

  July 2011 #8

  I 2nd the ICOM. Used to use it to listen to the weather reports while out to sea off of boyton/delray. Now I live in Ft Myers and I still carry it with me. A must have when things hit the fan...

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• Hooked Posts: 391 Officer

  July 2011 #9

  I am tryin to save up for a Icom IC-M24 VHF but I might save some money and go with Cobra MR HH475.

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• Yaksquatch Posts: 499 Officer

  July 2011 #10

  Pit wrote: »

  I'm used to using a panel mount VHF in aircraft. Are there open freq's to use with the VHF? I'm used to FCC regulated channels. Sorry if that's a noob question, just never used a handheld for this reason.
  Thanks...

  
  The US Coast Guard monitors marine VHF transmissions and have particular frequencies designated as distress only, hailing only, commercial vessels, open use, etc. Whatever VHF you settle on will have a detailed explanation in the instruction booklet as well as a list of frequencies and their designated uses. The basics are, use channel 16 ONLY for Hailing and/or Distress calls. Then switch to another to carry out a conversation. The local kayak fishing community up here in the Panhandle uses 71 and/or 72. Not sure what they use in your area.
  
  Good luck,
  Alex

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• Pit Posts: 7 Greenhorn

  July 2011 #11

  Thanks for all the replies and the idea for the VHF. Sounds like the way to go. I don't really have a need for the wx side of things and have never needed to mayday (in a kayak at least). But I'll look into those...

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• Fireman Bill Posts: 578 Officer

  July 2011 #12

  handheld waterproof floating VHF radios is the only way to go. Buy a good one.
  
  Fireman Bill

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