Marine Radio For Catalina Runs?

[FASTERDAMITT]

Will a portable 1 / 5 watt work or do I need a bolt in unit with a whip to transmitt from catalina to the mainland?

[HTRDLNCN]

Handhelds have very limited range.
here is some info:
http://www.ybw.com/ybw/vhf/range.html
IMHO No boat on the ocean should ever be without a VHF radio.

[77charger]

portable will most likely not transmit from cat to long beach.Marine radios go by line of sight also.Portable will reach another boat that is in sight or close by which in an emergency is a lifesaver.Safest bet is a fixed mount which i believe is a full 25 watts.
Either one is better than no radio at all

[FASTERDAMITT]

You guys answered my question. Thanks.

[Outnumbered]

What they said. Also, don't buy a cheap Shakespear antena. Get one from these guys. They also have cell booster equipment. I have ordered twice from them. Good company.
http://boatantenna.com/

[Flying Tiger]

My handheld Cingular cellphone works all the way across the channel, my 5 watt handheld marine radio works for about 4 miles line-o-site.

[FASTERDAMITT]

My Singular cell works sometimes. Now a secure feeling.

[JB in so cal]

Cell phones will work for Sea Tow or something, but the Coasties can't pin point your location with it. If you have a VHF, they can triangulate your position in case of emergency.

[KACHINA KEN]

The Uniden Mystic has an epirb like locator/ distress + GPS, I love it.
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=MYSTIC

[FASTERDAMITT]

That's cool. To bad I already bought portable GPS.

[Mandelon]

The handheld works fine to get the shoreboat to pick you up.... :cool:

[FASTERDAMITT]

I just oerdered a fixed radio and antenna from Ebay for $140. Of course the antenna will not be mounted. Thanx.