Marine VHF Handheld for Powell

[sintax]

So we're finally doing a houseboat trip this year, and was wanting to pickup a handheld vhf to communicate from houseboat to pleasure boat since cell service is not really a thing out there. Primarily for having the pleasure boat out scouting for a spot while the houseboat is chugging along behind.

I was thinking about grabbing a ICOM IC-M37, are there any better options?

Anything I should be thinking about? I'm sure the handheld range wont be amazing, but hoping it works a bit.

 

[Gramps]

VHF on Powell is pretty much line of sight unless they put a repeater on Navajo Mtn. With line of sight you might have poor service in the canyons. I have used vhf and cell there...cell is OK in some areas if you can see Navajo

 

[DaveH]

VHF is very line of site. not going to work any distance from the houseboat.

 

[Bajastu]

Thats a 6-watt radio, roughly you can talk about 6-7 miles within line of sight. It’s a tough gig communicating with cell or VHF on Powell as mentioned above.

 

[sintax]

ok, good to know info.

I'll keep it in mind. Sounds like we'll need some guard rails put in place to make sure we dont get out of range.

 

[Cobalt232]

I bought this one specifically for Lake Powell:

Amazon.com

Last summer we had a houseboat, and found that it was useless unless you could see the houseboat pretty much.

A VHF radio is a must-have there though as at least in theory someone could relay in an emergency.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Yeah i wouldn't get fancy, its basically line of sight.

I personally dont know of any repeater channels that are open to the public up there. I dont have the ability to reprogram my radio anyway if there was one.

If you get to the main channel you can typically get cellular service at least enough to text if you cant make a phone call.

FYI Channel 16 is the main channel for the park service. No chatting, only use to hail park service or other vessels for emergencies only.

You will get a stern voice asking to move your conversation to another channel.

 

[92562]

They don't really work for scouting. I know people who rent satellite phones from https://www.satmodo.com/rental/ and really liked them. Probably a good idea in an emergency too. We use 2 wave runners and my Howard to scout and each has a waterproof walkie talkie. I put the wave runners on potential sites and then I zoom back to call the houseboat on their talkie. Been working fine for decades.

 

[77charger]

I have and early model baofeng uv5r. Nice thing is I can program marine channels into it. Can’t do that with the current models that easy.

Mainly use the radio for off road but if need a marine radio it’s capable.

 

[Jed-O]

I have and early model baofeng uv5r. Nice thing is I can program marine channels into it. Can’t do that with the current models that easy.

Mainly use the radio for off road but if need a marine radio it’s capable.

This is what I carry and you can't beat the price

 

[Tamalewagon]

As mostly mentioned in previous posts, it's pretty much line of sight communication unless you are close to a marina. We had satellite phones for the "just in case". Definitely doesn't hurt to have a little reliable backup considering how far you are from help.

 

[gqchris]

Dont forget the new Iphones can send SOS satellite messages as well in an emergency. Little peace of mind thats already in your phone.

Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone - Apple Support

With iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, or iPhone 15 Pro, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services when you're off the grid with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

support.apple.com

 

[2Driver]

I have and early model baofeng uv5r. Nice thing is I can program marine channels into it. Can’t do that with the current models that easy.

Mainly use the radio for off road but if need a marine radio it’s capable.

We use the same. Antennas make a huge difference. Get the longer whip antenna for the hand held and the remote Magnetic antenna for the boat. Transmit on High mode.

We program in a bunch of standard channels, marine channels and FRS channels because there is always people that show up with only FRS radios.

 

[Desert Whaler]

I have an icom IC-M73 , 6-watts , same batteries I bought it with years ago . . . zero complaints.

The 'IC-M37' is also 6-watts . . . but unlike mine it floats if dropped in the drink, and has a strobe/ flash feature.

The IC-M85 is another option, 5-watts, but it has 100 programable land mobile channels . . . which may or may not be appealing to you.

I've had other brands of VHF handhelds over the years . . . standard horizon, raymarine, etc. . . . . unless there's a certain feature that you HAVE to have, icom is the only way to go IMO.

 

[77charger]

We use the same. Antennas make a huge difference. Get the longer whip antenna for the hand held and the remote Magnetic antenna for the boat. Transmit on High mode.

We program in a bunch of standard channels, marine channels and FRS channels because there is always people that show up with only FRS radios.

Yup antenna is worth more than watts. And by frs channels. You only “monitor them”correct.

 

[2Driver]

Yup antenna is worth more than watts. And by frs channels. You only “monitor them”correct.

LOl. btw that 2 channel monitor feature looks useful. can monitor 2 channels at same time.