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Handheld vhf as crew walkie talkie

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by Brebla, Sep 17, 2020.

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  1. Brebla, Sep 17, 2020
    #1
    Brebla

    Brebla Guest

    Noob here wondering about using our handheld vhf’s for inter-crew communications. They will mainly be used for docking, giving briefings, and really any communications when crew is not face-to-face. What are the best channels to use? Any tips would be appreciated.
  2. Beau, Sep 17, 2020
    #2
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    They make personal intercoms for your purpose. Crew coms is not a proper use of VHF radio service
  3. Capt J, Sep 17, 2020
    #3
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Megayachts use vhf's for crew use almost exclusively. Any channel other than 09.13.16,22. 68, 10, 12 are popular. Problem with them is, when docking they tie up your hands to communicate and a hands free handset is better in that aspect.
  4. Beau, Sep 17, 2020
    #4
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Well there you go. Learn something everyday. Aren't those designated ship to ship, but ....
  5. Ken Bracewell, Sep 17, 2020
    #5
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    The ICOM M88 VHF is also has "land" channels which crew use for onboard comms. And if you really want to be private you have have them encoded for your vessel's radios, which also eliminates the chances of getting stepped on or listening to another boat's comms. The problem with the M88 is transmission range, and lost comms due to interference onboard. As such, I've switched to a Motorola digital system. It's not cheap, but is WAY better than VHF.
  6. NYCAP123, Sep 17, 2020
    #6
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    What kind of boat are you dealing with? Big boats get serious equipment, but for the average 40-60' I always used those Motorola walkies. With VHF you're likely to get stepped on by someone discussing where to meet for dinner etc while you're trying to tell your DH what to do. The walkies are also cheap. So NBD if it goes overboard. So it all depends on what you want to spend and how much use it's going to get. But if you do use VHF learn what channels you can use and then learn which of those channels isn't used much in your area.
  7. Brebla, Sep 18, 2020
    #7
    Brebla

    Brebla Guest

    Thank you for all of the replies. I’m going to try a pair of Icom m73’s. Hopefully I can find some little used frequencies and make it work for us. I tried a Standard Horizon with voice activated headsets, but the headsets were too flimsy. I’m going to try the speaker microphones which clip to your shirt collar and see how they work.
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 18, 2020
  8. Capt Ralph, Sep 18, 2020
    #8
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    We picked up a Cobra set years ago. Still PTT but private channels and very good NR and range.
    There is (was) a headset and VOX option when purchases but the options cost more than the lil hand helds.
    BTW, they still work great.
  9. NYCAP123, Sep 18, 2020
    #9
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Keep your list of allowable channels handy and monitor them for several minutes before you need to use them to make sure they're clear. If you're traveling keep in mind that a channel that doesn't get much use in one area may be the local chit-chat channel in another.
  10. MBevins, Sep 18, 2020
    #10
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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  11. NYCAP123, Sep 18, 2020
    #11
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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  12. Pascal, Sep 18, 2020
    #12
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    There is also an app for that. Sometimes we use Zello on our iPhones. Works great with AirPods or any Bluetooth headphones. Works thru the boat WiFi so no cell service needed but also works on cell data so it is useful to communicate with the tender if cell service is available

    you have to press the PTT button on screen but no action needed by the crew who will hear the instructions without having to press a button, just like a handheld
  13. NYCAP123, Sep 18, 2020
    #13
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    My experience has taught me that the waters are like a magnet to things like cell phones and jewelry.
  14. Pascal, Sep 18, 2020
    #14
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Easily solved with a phone float :)
  15. MBevins, Sep 18, 2020
    #15
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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  16. NYCAP123, Sep 18, 2020
    #16
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You can use a headset, but yes it's not private. And yes everyone with a set hears but on a small boat that's ,aybe 2 plus the captain and I'd just as well like everyone coordinated. Again though when you get bigger, maybe 80'+ you want more sophisticated (and expensive) equipment like Ken mentioned.
  17. Oscarvan, Sep 19, 2020
    #17
    Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    FMRS radios are cheap on Amazon. Rather dunk one of those than a hand held VHF.
  18. ranger58sb, Sep 19, 2020
    #18
    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    We tried some similar to those, a pair of Motorola T6220s. The radios work well, but the time delay when trying to use the VOX feature was very irritating. Count to four -- out loud -- before saying anything important...

    So we switched to SENA headsets.

    -Chris
  19. yr2030, Sep 19, 2020
    #19
    yr2030

    yr2030 Senior Member

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    We use them for that purpose. Ch 10, 11
    It's a long way to shout when you're guys are 30m ahead on the bow
  20. Capt J, Sep 19, 2020
    #20
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    A lot of the new handheld VHF's are submersible and float. Plus you can take them on the dinghy etc. etc.
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