BigBendFishing.Net

Does anyone have experience with handheld VHF radios? I currently do not have a radio and was wondering if a handheld would work OK. I never go more than 2 or 3 miles out and primarily fish around St Marks.
Thanks,

A good handheld radio is fine for flats fishing.

Handhelds don't have as much range.
Calls to other handhelds are weak unless they are close.
That being said, I carry a handheld and go out about 10 miles.
The USCG and Seatow can hear me wall to wall out there so it serves my purpose.

I have a Cobra unit that works well, of corse it wont every be as good as my regular vhf(Standard Horizon) I have been using the Cobia for a backup or when one of my buddies is along without a radio, I would say that a couple of miles is about all you can expect on any given day.

Get a good handheld and connect it to a short 3.5 external antenna. Your antenna is equally important as the radio. This will help extend your range.

Here's some good reading: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refere ... tenna.html

Thanks for the replies. I feel better about going with a handheld now. With limited console space this will help.

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