Portable VHF advice

[Ragin_Cajun]

Hey guys,

Looking at a portable VHF for the boat. Any recommendations?

Have this one at academy, your thoughts?

Cobra MR HH500 FLT BT VHF Radio

[keakar]

it has been a few years since I shopped or tested them but I never really found any portable hand held vhf that worked beyond line of sight only, they just don't seam to have enough antenna to work long range or even medium ranges, so for me, I determined they are useless and you need a dash mount style with regular antenna to have it work as intended.

[meaux fishing]

I have one that I use as a backup for my dash mount in case I lose power on the boat and am out of cell range. It is a cobra that I bought at academy. I got the non bluetooth model

[marty f]

I too was looking for a hand held a while back, but the more I researched the more I found to be true, the range simply sucks. Not sure what your putting it on, but if there is anyway you can get a mounted unit and a mounted antenna I would go that route.

[GasCan]

what channel do people normally use on big lake?

[Let um land]

Have this one that is a year and a half old, back up from the offshore boat. Paid $120 for it, $50 and it's yours.

[Mr T]

Cobra, Uniden and Garmin are the ones I'm familiar with. If all you want to do is stay in touch with boats a mile or two away, they are certainly not useless. Depends on your need, but don't expect to talk to someone 10 miles away, 5 at most on open water.

[Ragin_Cajun]

Thanks guys, just for emergency purposes only. Maybe potlick a guide or two..HAHA