Posts: 107
Location: milwaukee | Fixed or hand-held, Icom or Standard are the way to go in my opinion. Built by companies in the radio communications business exclusively.
Handhelds are limited to 5 watts maximum transmit power compared to 25 for fixed units. On top of that the flexible rubber antennas on the handhelds are a compromise design that basically attenuates the signals (transmit and receive) anyway. So now you are WAAAY in the hole compared to a fixed unit, where the big antenna probably provides some gain ("virtual amplification") of the signals. Handhelds are pretty much intended to be used within harbors for close quarters boat-to-boat communications.
There is nothing technically that would prevent one from using a handheld in conjunction with a 8' marine antenna. Might have to get an adapter for the antenna connector is all. Better than the flexible antenna, but still not as good as a 25 watt fixed unit with 8' antenna. This is the way I will go on my boat.
Gotta consider the waters you are fishing:
small lakes: handheld
big lakes: handheld w/ external antenna, or fixed unit
BFLs (big f-in' lakes), flowages, or chain of lakes: fixed unit w/ tallest antenna available
Generally, the taller the antenna, the more gain it provides to transmit and receive signals.
If you get a handheld, make sure to get the 12 VDC adapter cord so you can plug it into the boat power when (and it will happen) your battery dies when you need it most.
Hope all of this provides some useful information.... |
