Communication Radio

[user 7806]

This will be my 1st season out on the water. 90% of the time I will be by myself. I will be fishing mainly small rivers, like the Meramec, Big River, Gasconade. I see the VHF handheld radios at BP for $49.95 and was wondering if that would be a good investmant.

I have a GMRS/FRS handheld that has weather alert on it and was considering taking to so I could get a weather report/alert, I also have a CB that is both a vehicle mount and handheld. No weather.

I will also have my cell phone with me.

So what are the more experienced doing about radios?

 

[Captain Ahab]

On my FW boat I do not bother - i am always within cell range and have no real need to communicate with other pleasure boaters. if I was on navigable rivers I would certainly have a VHF just to communicate with the big ships if needed and also the coast guard.

On the SW boat we have two VHF units and a sat. phone but that is because when you are 100 miles away from the nearest land it is safe to be able to reach out if need be.

 

[Bob Landry]

Unless you are in an area without cell coverage, it's unlikely that a cell phone would not meet your needs. If you make a 911 call they can triangulate and pinpoin ypur location.I have a VHF console mount on my boat because I go to the coast and I like to listen to the tugboat captains, ships, and Coast Guard, but not for that I would take a cell phone and call it good.

 

[fool4fish1226]

I carry a hand held just in case but always have my cell also

 

[PSG-1]

Inshore, or in familiar areas, I usually don't carry a radio.

But if I'm going offshore, I carry a handheld VHF, as well as a GPS, and my cellphone.

 

[xbacksideslider]

Cell of course but $50 VHF as back up for coastal kelp.

 

[whistler]

It is on the to do list. Haven't decided on a mounted or handheld unit.

 

[Captain Ahab]

Inshore, or in familiar areas, I usually don't carry a radio.

But if I'm going offshore, I carry a handheld VHF, as well as a GPS, and my cellphone.

Cellphone will not work unless with 10-20 miles of the shore so they are not much use offshore - that is why I use a sat. phone

 

[hunterguy86]

Sorry for hijacking the original posters thread but where do you find a frequency list for vhf radios? or do you buy them preprogrammed?

 

[Captain Ahab]

Sorry for hijacking the original posters thread but where do you find a frequency list for vhf radios? or do you buy them preprogrammed?

They come programmed with the Marine channels


Here they are:

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf