Looking to buy a Standard Horizon HX270S handheld, good or bad radio?
Looking to buy a handheld marine radio and don't know a thing about them or being a ham in general. I just would like to have something in the boat for emergencies. I can buy this radio for about $70, so am I passing up a better radio at around $100 or less? This radio is submersible but doesn't float, and is that a necessity in a handheld? We boat on inland waterways here in Idaho.
Icom makes one of the best vhf's.
Model M36 floats and has 6 watts of power.
Consumersmarine has some very good prices $189 or less for that model.
You will need to get a number from the F.C.C.
We have the M72 and it is very nice.
It has very good range.
But for reach the best is a fixed mount vhf.
Originally Posted By portagee:
am I passing up a better radio at around $100 or less?
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=22&t=625973
ar-jedi
AKcaribouhunter: Thanks for that, after jawing with the she devil she agrees that the ability of a HH to float makes sense so I will certainly look again at the ICOM radios. Mopst of our boating is on lakes hereabouts and we've been over to the Wilamatte River in Oregon a time or two but seriously doubt any offshore action which will require an ability to get out there far requiring a fixed VHF.
Thanks for the tip on the ICOM's.
ARjedi: I read that thread when I used the search option but 99% of that conversation went over my head as my exposure to using radios comes from blathering on a CB while hauling ass in a Peterbuilt on the highway. Honestly I barely know a firestick from a ugly stick, when it comes to radios.
I also have an Icom M72 and am very pleased with it. Just keep in mind that the floating radios tend to have a shorter battery life than their non floating counterparts. May not make a difference to you...just wanted to point it out.
