Hand-Held Vs. Bracket Mount Marine Radios

Communication is vital for a marine boater.

When sailing a boat, having form of communication available, such as a marine radio, to speak with other boaters or land personnel in the event of an emergency is vital. Both mounted and hand held versions of marine radios are available with varying effectiveness.

Function

Marine radios use the very high frequency (VHF) band between 156 megahertz and 174 megahertz. The communication works with one person speaking at a time and signing off to indicate their portion of the conversation is finished. This allows the other party to begin their side of the discussion.

Features

Smaller vessels can use hand-held marine radios. They are portable with batteries that supply the power. Since they use batteries, the communication range will be smaller due to power constraints. Bracket-mounted marine radios are permanently attached to the vessel, using the boat's battery for power. This allows a larger communication range, especially if installed at the highest point on the vessel.

Considerations

Even if a bracket-mounted radio is installed, it is helpful to have a back up radio in case of overall failure. Consider purchasing a hand-held radio as a backup to ensure uninterrupted communication.

References

• JMS Online Marine Supply: Marine Radio Systems