NINE REASONS TO OWN A VHF RADIO By Bill Boudreau, Cobra Marine
In times of emergency, a VHF radio can be one of the most important pieces of gear aboard a boat. This means of communication can be a boater’s only line of communication from sea to shore or to nearby vessels, so it’s important to select a radio that has the most advanced and the most helpful features. Here are the top reasons to own or simply upgrade a VHF radio.
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integration with certain radios, so that users can safely avoid collisions on the water. Combining these sophisticated functions with VHF radios makes the units even more valuable to boaters.
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Bluetooth® Wireless Technology-Enabled Mobile Phone Calling/Integration: Certain VHF radios now
incorporate Bluetooth wireless technology. Users can pair
DSC Calling: A unique feature of VHF radios is Digital
their cell phones with the units and make and receive phone
Selective Calling (DSC). This enables even novice
calls, all while the cell phone is safely stored where it won’t
boaters to, when the VHF is connected to a working global
get wet or damaged.
positioning system (GPS), send a digital distress message
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that contains the vessel’s GPS position to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) or other DSC-equipped craft.
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Better Battery Technology: New radio models feature lithium ion batteries or the option to use AA batteries,
reducing the chance of the radio being out of power when
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
it’s needed most. Some new handheld radios will transmit at
(NOAA) Weather Alert Monitoring: Some VHF radios
the higher, six-wattage level of power. The better the battery,
offer NOAA Weather Alert Monitoring, which provides instant
the more reliable and stable the power output will be.
access to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and other
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weather information, 24 hours a day. This helps to determine when to head back to shore to avoid getting caught in a storm. No cell phone can do that.
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Rescue 21 System: The Coast Guard’s investment in its new, VHF-receiving, Rescue 21 system reaffirms that the
marine VHF radio is the preferred method of electronically contacting the USCG when in distress. Cellular devices are
JIS7 Waterproof Rating: Meeting JIS7 standards means
unreliable in the harsh maritime environment, while a VHF
a VHF radio can be fully submerged for 30 minutes in
radio is the best way to alert search and rescue crews to a
three feet of water and still function properly after it’s taken
boater’s condition and location.
out. The radio can remain in the open, right where a boater
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may need it.
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Bigger and Better Displays: With brighter and larger displays than ever before, boaters can quickly identify
Floating Handhelds: The ability to float is a relatively
who’s calling them. The radios also have descriptive menus,
new feature for handheld VHF radios. Now, owners don’t
making them easier to use and resulting in less wasted time.
have to worry about getting their radios wet or accidentally dropping them overboard. They can easily retrieve them.
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Whether used for communicating with marinas and locks, or when making a mayday call, a VHF radio is a necessary
Unique Features: Technology is constantly advancing,
piece of boating gear. Manufacturers now offer a wide range
and likewise, so are the features of VHF radios. Some
of unique, innovative and, sometimes, lifesaving features
of Cobra Marine’s models offer Rewind-Say-Again™. This
on their units. No matter what type of VHF radio boaters
digital voice recorder enables the radio to record up to 20
own, they’ll gain peace of mind and security when they are
seconds of any incoming call. Standard Horizon provides AIS
properly equipped with the latest in marine communication.
32 GLB | May/June 10