handheld or fixed radio?

[bhotz85]

im looking to put a radio on the boat this year only have a 17 1/2 fter and was wondering how the handhelds compare to the fix radios. would like to get a handheld so i dont have to monkey around with wires or a antenna.

[Splitshot115]

Go with the fixed radio much better value with the proper antenna, not to mention reception and output, which could save a life someday.

[spoonfed-1]

Go with a fixed.

A good 8 ft quality antenna is more important than the radio.

[jimski2]

For every six inches of elevation above the water, and with good weather conditions you gain one mile of reception. A helicopter can receive your handheld signal though and the USCG has an antenna on a ridge above Lake Erie that can reach from Detroit to the St. Lawrence River. Also the local USCG stations have elevated antennas. The point being if you want to reach a nearby boat or unit, use a standard antenna.

[BAZOOKAJOE]

I bought a really nice handheld last summer...and it's seems to be useless when you are a few miles out. With the exception of the weather reports.

[Mortigan]

Yep. It should work for contacting a boat you can see or probably contacting the Coast Guard, since they have the highest reception points. Keep it as emergency backup.

[BAZOOKAJOE]

I figure it's better than nothing. It's the floating type, so i figure it would be good to have in-case i end up swimming for shore. I never really played with it too much. Seems like the reception wasn't very good. I thought i'd be able to listen to reports as i fished. But i usually fish an area where the boat traffic is pretty minimal.

[Misty IV]

BOTH!!! I have both a fixed and a handheld radio. If one fails, battery in the handheld goes dead, etc., it's always nice to have a back-up if and when you need it the most. The small added expense could save your life, IMO.