You don’t need to spend a bundle of cash to get a first-class handheld VHF radio.
A handheld VHF radio is a useful tool for a variety of tasks aboard any boat, be it big or small.
On a kayak or skiff, these types of VHF radios serve well as the primary method of communicating. Plus, you don’t have to worry about running wires, or mounting the radio and antenna.
On larger boats with a fixed-mount VHF radio already installed, a VHF portable can serve as a viable backup radio.
It can also play a role as a means of two-way communication if the dinghy is launched or a member of your party is ashore nearby.
A $100 Might Be All It Takes.
What we found from our comparison is that dropping down a notch in price from a more expensive handheld VHF marine radio doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing quality or performance of the functions and features our testers believe are most important.
In our review, most of the less expensive radios performed as well as those units priced significantly higher.
So what do you lose by opting for a less expensive radio? Bells and whistles.
If DSC calling, scramblers, or the ability to make and receive transmissions on aircraft, AM/FM, or family radio bands are the special features you are looking for, then the lower priced radios we’ve tested won’t likely meet your needs.
However, if all you want is a high quality portable VHF radio to serve as an emergency backup to your fixed-mount radio, making short-range calls from your cockpit or dinghy, then a number of the less expensive portable VHF radios will serve you just fine.
As you’ll see in our reviews, the quality of the transmitters and receivers varies somewhat, as does the all-important battery life.
Safety Backup
Here’s another value added feature when you use a handheld as a backup to a fixed-mount.
Some handheld radios will allow you to connect to the boat’s main antenna using an adapter and significantly increase your portable vhf radio transceiver range.
Just make sure you plan ahead and have the appropriate hardware aboard.
How We Test Handheld VHF Radio
First off, the batteries of each handheld marine VHF radio we test are fully charged using their associated AC ch