Checklist for Handheld VHF Radios
Here's a checklist to think about when choosing a handheld VHF radio.
Is it waterproof?
Hand held VHF radios are more likely to get wet - especially if you are in a small boat.
Two things to think about are:
- Does it float?
- Is it waterproof?
The battery
Premium models use Lithium Ion batteries which are the best batteries you can buy for a VHF radio. The cheapest are Nickel Cadmium which suffer from reducing charge life the more you use them.
Nickel Metal Hydride are the best value option as they aren't too dear and the battery performance is pretty good.
Power
One thing to note is that handheld VHF radios have a lower power rating than fixed mount VHF radios. This means range is limited so only choose a hand held VHF radio if portability is required.