View Full Version : VHF Marine Radio
I am in the market to buy a VHF radio for my camper and boat so I can communicate with my wife when she isn't in the boat with me. Would the 5 watt portables do the job up to about 15 miles or do I need to go with the 25 watt mobile unit?
Time to Move
05-21-2001, 12:23 PM
Operating from land is strictly forbidden by the FCC in most cases. Get a cell phone or those new FRS radios.
Shellback
05-21-2001, 04:09 PM
Just saw a tip in a boating magazine on VHF radios. It stated that 2 boats, each with an antenna 10' above the water could expect to communicate at a max distance of 10 miles. I believe they were speaking of 25 watt units.
vetspet(ind)
05-21-2001, 05:11 PM
the 25 watts is the only way to go....the antenae can be placed high on camper and get max distance....i don't think the land thing is that big a deal but i figure murphy's law could apply if you got a stickler....the coast guard is more interested that you not broadcast on chan 16 , use foul language, etc on radio... i know many people who use it on land and have not been even yelled at as the coast guard would have a difficult time knowing if you were on land near the water or on the water near the land...i doubt they care that much as i have never heard them say so and i'm on the radio often...its always on in my boat....steve
FROGMAN
05-22-2001, 01:14 AM
VHF radios are considered line of sight communication devices, meaning the waves radiate out in straight omnidirectional waves. If there is anything in between the two communicating units it will interefere with that communication. Maximum expected range is somewhere around 19-21 miles. There are a lot of variables that factor into this such as antenna, antenna height, power, curvature of the earth, and other units operating in the area, etc.
With all that technical garbage said it boils down to this. Handhelds are great for a backup, but thats it! Standard VHF radios with at least an 8' antenna (If practical) are the best way to go. The FCC once upon a time issued licenses for "Base Station's" which is what your camper would be. With the law reform that took place several years ago I'm not exactly sure if the requirement for base station was rleieved or not. You no longer need an FCC license for your boat mounted VHF.
Hope this helps, depending on your situation a cell phone just might be easier. Good luck
Keith Segar
NPAA #260
Airwave(OH)
05-22-2001, 02:36 AM
The answer to your question is -get the 25 watts. 5 won't work..
Time to Move
05-22-2001, 12:12 PM
Coast Guard ahas nothing to do with the enforcement of radiotelephone regulations, the FCC does.
47 CFR Ch.1 80.87
"Stations must not:
(f)Transmit while on board vessels located on land...
It's illegal for individuals to transmit on Marine VHF frequencies from shore, unless licensed. These "shore" licenses are normally only issued to businesses such as towing services, marinas, etc. And, yes the FCC *does* care! Getting nailed can cost serious greenbacks.
Hans