Thread: Marine Radios

Looking for one for my small boat. Whats the go? Are the small handheld ones worse than useless? I'm guessing wattage is the best indicator of useful range? So is a 5w handheld okay for most things things one would use a Stabi 389 for?

This works for me.

Depends where you are, a handheld will pick up a repeater in most popular places but an aerial up a mast with more power is going to get you a lot further in places like Fiordland or Stewart Is. Its still "line of sight" but everything helps.

Originally Posted by madjon_

Attachment 69627
This works for me.

Can I ask do you actually use your radio Madjon or is it just there for a SHTF situation?

Is the 1w setting much use?

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I have a set in my biggest boat and it has about a 2m aerial , I have only ever turned it on to see if it goes.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Can I ask do you actually use your radio Madjon or is it just there for a SHTF situation?

Out of Whakatane where there is vol.coastguard,log in over the bar,log out on return.listen to weatherforecast.talking to mates i.e. where's birds, dolphins working.
Down here it's in the boat.......

Originally Posted by Tentman

Depends where you are, a handheld will pick up a repeater in most popular places but an aerial up a mast with more power is going to get you a lot further in places like Fiordland or Stewart Is. Its still "line of sight" but everything helps.

Most of it will be for bar crossings up here, then forecasts when out and about, not break Downs hopefyy. Plb for emergency. Phone for mates and gps Id say.



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Originally Posted by madjon_

Out of Whakatane where there is vol.coastguard,log in over the bar,log out on return.listen to weatherforecast.talking to mates i.e. where's birds, dolphins working.
Down here it's in the boat.......

Yep....I thought as much....
We have a coastguard but sometimes nobody to drive the boat

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If it is for one boat get something boat mounted. I bought a hand held unit for use in the dinghy and kayak.

get one mounted and correctly wired. get the appropriate aerial for the boat, some antenna are designed to be mounted on a metal groundplane which isnt much use in a fi-glass boat. higher you get the antenna the better and the shorter the cable between radio and antenna is better too.

After spending some 30yrs in emergency management ,I have come to realize that with out good Comms you aren't helping your self. Don't compromise your and other's safety with inadequate gear. Go to your dealer and seek proper and good advise. A full weather VHF and a good external aerial would be a start for a Runabout type boat and a water proof hand held for Kayak and dingy.

Originally Posted by Gapped axe

After spending some 30yrs in emergency management ,I have come to realize that with out good Comms you aren't helping your self. Don't compromise your and other's safety with inadequate gear. Go to your dealer and seek proper and good advise. A full weather VHF and a good external aerial would be a start for a Runabout type boat and a water proof hand held for Kayak and dingy.

i was working at a company that among other things repaired 2 way radios. the amount of people who would come in wanting cheap nasty gear repaired was unreal. i got so pissed off at one guy after i refused to even look at his POS asked him is that all he thought his families lives mattered to him.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

i was working at a company that among other things repaired 2 way radios. the amount of people who would come in wanting cheap nasty gear repaired was unreal. i got so pissed off at one guy after i refused to even look at his POS asked him is that all he thought his families lives mattered to him.

Do you have any suggestions as to what to start looking at then? Or which brands to avoid?

Originally Posted by Wildman

Do you have any suggestions as to what to start looking at then? Or which brands to avoid?

i'm not sure if motorola still make marine band. GME was pretty good though. Uniden was ok in performance but the fittings werent stainless and looked a mess after awhile