Handheld VHF Radio Question

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 5:41 pm

I am just wondering as some mobile signals do not work on the beaches around the East Coast would it not be better to carry a handheld VHF radio?

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 5:50 pm

This may seem like a silly question, but what would you use the radio for. All i can think of is an emergency, and those must be few and far between. And you would also have to hope you were calling on behalf of someone else, because if you were swept into the sea etc neither phone or radio would work. confused

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 5:52 pm

Yes it would, remembering that first a test should be taken, second that it is not used for idle chit chat and third no foul language is used.

We dont want it to go down the same road that CB radio went.

God knows the coastguard have enough problems with irrisponsable people.
Cheers keith big grin

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 5:55 pm

But why would you want one. confused

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:12 pm

Obviously for emergency purposes only big grin

I climb alot of mountains so have map, compass, mobile and a handheld GPS device that pinpoints me to within 10metres etc etc so if you were fishing alone on a beach and needed assistance in an emergency and had no signal on a mobile phone what would you do to call for help if the obvious (shouting) was not working?

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:32 pm

Ah right, but as i said if you were swept into the sea unless its waterproof it wouldnt work, and if you were shielded by cliffs would it work any better than a phone, both need a land based ariel.

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:39 pm

manic_muppet wrote:

Ah right, but as i said if you were swept into the sea unless its waterproof it wouldnt work, and if you were shielded by cliffs would it work any better than a phone, both need a land based ariel.

Yes a waterproof one would be the only one of choice in my opinion but as you say how would the cliffs effect the signal confused

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:44 pm

Phones etc are not linked directly to satellite, we have masts, around the country which relay the signal, so if a radio is masked by cliffs or similar would it not affect the signal

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 7:34 pm

You can't use a Marine VHF radio on land so that has put an end to that question lol

Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:23 pm

Interesting question which prompts several thoughts; a) You need a licence to use a VHF Marine radio legally. 2) Why shouldn't a VHF Marine radio work on land? (would it know it is on land and not at sea?). Finally) A message from a VHF Marine radio can be picked up and relayed via another vessel/radio so being under a cliff would not be a problem.

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 5:21 am

What a lot of you chaps have overlookd is the fact that VHF works by line of sight. Therefore if you were in a vally the signal wouldn't be recieved therefore it could not be relayed by a repeater station.
Cheers keith big grin

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 5:24 am

Exactly my point keith, same as a mobile phone, its only any good providing your signals uninterupted. whew!

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 7:36 am

can i just point out that yes Vhf does work on land they are used by inland waterways users ie britishwaterways and inland cruising boats, it would be usefull on a rock mark or sand as you are never more than 2 miles from a repeater station but what none of you have mentioned is that you have by law to be licensed to operate a vhf radio

Dave big grin

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 7:44 am

Hi Dave, I think you will find Tomsgrandpa mentioned that you need a license, Which is to be expected, no govt would pass up the chance of taking more dosh off the public. winking

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 7:27 pm

i have a boat for sea fishing and all gear and boat is checked by the lifeboat crew and no one as ever asked me if i have a licence they only check its in working order