Handheld VHF radio
Communication
A battery-powered marine VHF you can carry. It's the backup when the main radio or the boat's power fails, the radio for the dinghy or foredeck, and the one to grab for the life raft. Expect much less range than a fixed radio with a masthead antenna.
How it works
A handheld uses the same marine channels as a fixed set but with far less power; one maker's model offers 1, 2 or 6 watts, against 25 for a fixed radio. Its short antenna sits at head height, and VHF range depends mostly on antenna height. Many newer handhelds have DSC and their own GPS, so they can send a distress alert with a position, and many float and are waterproof when every cover is sealed.
Using it
- Keep it charged and stowed where anyone aboard can reach it quickly, and take it in the dinghy or life raft.
- Because range depends on antenna height, use it from the highest safe spot and keep the antenna upright and clear of your body and the cabin.
- Use low power for nearby calls to save the battery. One maker notes that when its alkaline battery tray is fitted, output is fixed at 1 watt and battery life is much shorter.
- Handhelds don't drop to 1 watt on channels 13 and 67 by themselves, so select low power yourself for bridge-to-bridge calls.
- If it has DSC and GPS, it can send a distress alert with your position, but only after an MMSI has been programmed into it.
- On a DSC handheld, a Test Call to the Coast Guard number 003669999 checks that it transmits and receives without sending a false alarm.
- Aboard a recreational boat in US waters, a handheld is licensed by rule like any marine VHF; no individual FCC licence is needed (47 CFR 80.13(c)).
- Using a marine handheld from land, including the dock, the beach or home, is not allowed without an FCC marine utility station licence, which goes only to people who serve ships or control a bridge or waterway. A ship station licence doesn't cover it (FCC).
- DSC on a handheld won't work until an MMSI is programmed (FCC). A handheld kept for one boat can use that boat's MMSI (BoatUS, USCG NAVCEN). For a handheld used on several boats, the FCC issues a handheld-format MMSI starting with 8 under a portable ship station licence.
- Handheld portable radios are exempt from the automatic 1-watt drop on channels 13 and 67 required of fixed radios (47 CFR 80.215(g)(4)).
Looking after it
- After salt spray, rinse the radio under fresh water or dunk it in a bucket, then dry every part with a soft cloth, as the maker's manual advises.
- Waterproofing and floating depend on the battery cover, data-jack cover and mic/speaker cap being fully closed; check their seals.
- Charge only with the maker's approved batteries and chargers, keep battery contacts clean, store batteries somewhere cool and recharge fully after long storage.
- Check the antenna for cracks and make sure it's screwed on firmly.
Troubleshooting
Battery runs down fast or won't hold a charge
- Charge fully with the approved charger and cradle, then check the battery indicator.
- Clean the battery and charger contacts.
- If the alkaline battery tray is fitted, expect short life and 1-watt output only.
- If the pack is old and still won't last, replace it with the maker's approved pack.
Other stations can't hear you
- Check the power setting; you may be on 1 watt.
- Move to a higher spot and hold the antenna upright.
- Check the antenna is tight and undamaged.
- If it has DSC, send a Test Call to 003669999 to confirm it transmits.
Radio got wet inside or won't switch on after a dunking
- Rinse in fresh water and dry thoroughly.
- Check whether a cover or cap was open when it got wet.
- If it still won't work, contact the maker's service department.
Buying a boat that has one
- Check the battery pack's age and whether the maker still sells replacement packs and chargers for that model.
- See whether it has DSC and GPS, and whether an MMSI is already stored. One maker says its handheld accepts an MMSI only once, and changes need factory service.
- Inspect the seals, covers and antenna for cracks; a damaged seal means it may no longer be waterproof or float.
Sources (10)
fcc.gov · fcc.gov · fcc.gov · ecfr.gov · ecfr.gov · navcen.uscg.gov · navcen.uscg.gov · boatus.com · standardhorizon.com · shakespeare-marine.com
General guidance for recreational boaters, researched from the sources listed and written in our own words. Your equipment manuals, local knowledge, the Navigation Rules and a qualified instructor come first.