BEST HANDHELD VHF WITH GPS: STANDARD HORIZON HX890 UNBOXING

[@redrobotsoup]

This is such a helpful and comprehensive video. I loved that you included the MMSI registration walk through. Thanks a bunch!

[@stwings98]

1 minor correction. The radio WILL transmit without an MMSI number programmed into it. It WILL NOT take advantage of DSC features without an MMSI number.

[@BroadBillHunter]

i was out that day. I headed to the sword grounds in the glass calm slick of the morning in my 24' . The day was very eerie, several boats were fishing in my area including the vessel that sank. a hazy fog blocked out the ability to see land. A couple hours went by, we made our 3rd drop without any sword bites, i looked back towards fort lauderdale and the fog turned almost as dark as the night sky. i overheard a couple larger boats with radar saying they were headed in. every sensor in my body was telling me go home. We pulled up and headed in. About 3 miles from land i got a view of one of the nastiest storms ive seen in south florida in my life. purple cell on the radar, We got into the inlet and were blasted with 35-45mph+ downdraft of cool wind. glad those guys made it several other vessels radiod for help.

[@JohnKlopp]

I got this one last month. Still learning how to use it. Do some more videos on this radio👍

[@Mike_44]

Boating gets expensive.. but this is one of those items you definitely don’t want to be without when you’re in open sea miles out.. a true life saver. Great radio and video btw!

[@bxlawless100]

Great review!!! I personally think this is a MUST HAVE device. If you’re outside your boat, or the electrically system is down. How do you relay your GPS coordinates? You need this. If you get thrown from the boat and can’t manage to swim your boat in an emergency situation? You’ll need s radio and a means to send your gps coordinates. You’ve made me completely change my mind about these devices. Again, thanks!

[@customledandfiberopticsinc2756]

epirb and Handheld VHF are life savers.

[@georgewashington7444]

I see lots of questions about distance. It’s a VHF radio. Distance is based on line of sight. From flat ground/water expect @3-5 miles radius at 6W. If coast guard antenna is high up you will get another 5-10 miles range. I am a ham radio operator and have had contacts over 150 miles with a 5W VHF handheld and a upgraded more efficient antenna from mountain tops 2-3000’’ above surrounding terrain. With a 3W HF radio North America to Europe is relatively easy but you need a 30-60’ wire antenna.

[@OSLO_eirik]

Great video. Have had the HX870 for my kayaking trips for a few years now. Gives some insight to the surrounding commercial traffic to watch out for as well, as I have it in scan mode for 16, traffic channel and port channels.

[@TheBelldiver]

I have the HX870 and could use some tips on using it.

[@TheBelldiver]

Is it possible to use a wire on a balloon for an antenna?

[@TheBelldiver]

@RL CL really; 🙄

[@brandonpardo9414]

That storm on April 26th was crazy, we barely made it to Haulover in time, it’s was freakishly big and it was scary! Supposedly 3-4 boats went down including that 34 footer in the video.

[@smittyplusplus]

So the MMSI requires this radio being tied to a particular vessel? I'm looking for something that provides some safety/peace-of-mind while chartering boats, is that not doable with DCS?

[@pghpa611]

Just bought one Thank you for showing the set up of MMSI

[@TheBelldiver]

I have the HX870 a couple years old. I bought it at a Trader marine store and everything works perfect. Right now I carry it while kayaking the river and around the hundreds of islands in the Peace River located in SW Florida. I was caught in a pretty big storm but rode it out and didn't need the radio. But; I had it.

[@stwings98]

I love my HX870

[@TheBelldiver]

@@stwings98 I have a question. I take mine out whenever I'm on the water but I never hear anyone on it and when I ask for a radio check I never get a reply. I checked it out at a West Marine store and it works fine.

[@stwings98]

@@TheBelldiver There are some places that have automated radio check systems. I don't get a ton of radio traffic where I'm at but when I go to Lake MI I hear quite a bit. I'm not sure where you're at but if you are on an inland lake you probably won't hear much.

[@TheBelldiver]

@@stwings98 I'm located right on Charlotte Harbor, Florida. There are typically 25 to 35 sailboats in transit or moored in the harbor. These boats come and go. I don't take my radio to the shore line or in my kayak all the time but expected to hear some chatter now and then or; get a reply when I broadcast. My radio is registered with the coast guard and expect to hear something sometime. I'm monitoring 3 or 4 channels or think I am anyway.

[@stwings98]

@@TheBelldiver You might try listening to some of the ship to shore channels, there's usually marina traffic on those. Of course, always monitor 16. You could be the one who saves a life. Happy boating.

[@tricountymailings]

This was a great video. You packed everything into a short video. Thanks for tanking the time. This was very helpful. I just ordered one based on this clip.

[@threesetstofailure9941]

If they were far out about 20 miles like you said how did the handheld help them out? Did they get a message to another vessel and then get the help? I'm guessing the DSC feature would have been good option linked with the GPS

[@andyk9685]

You probably did not understand the message on the display correctly. The radio works great without MMSI. MMSI is necessary for sending the DSC signal.

[@diagorasmoustakas249]

I am between this one and icom m94 .but I like standard best.It made in Japan ?

[@anthonypolizze4059]

Hey Captain Mike Thanks for posting this video! It’s so important to be dialed in on safety as you know. I was fishing a wreck off Big Pine Key the other day about 6 miles offshore and lost all power. I happened to be tied off to a mooring buoy so I was able to call for help and it wasn’t an issue but it did take two hours for Boat Us to come. If I was adrift I would be miles away and could be difficult to be found etc so this unit is a key to survival hands down. Do you program the same MMSI on all your VHS radios? I did and this seems to be the way to go. See below website: The MMSI number is a bit like a phone number for your boat, and all DSC capable equipment (including AIS units) associated with the specific vessel should use the same MMSI number, since the MMSI serves to identify the vessel, not the equipment. Tight lines! Captain Tony

[@alkaholic4848]

What about if you're using it as a portable radio, such as a sea kayaker? Does it allow you to blank out the MMSI with all zeroes?

[@roybuddle5487]

Had mine for about 6 years now - having tried ICOM handhelds before, which don’t stand up well. In addition to your PLB I recommend the Garmin InReach on your life jacket too and Sirius Satellite weather. It’s a godsend in the summer and you can see very clearly what weather is coming and from where. It’s saved my rear on many many occasions just by closely monitoring the conditions as they change during the day.

[@jclar3565]

Mine seems to transmit just fine right out of the box. Of course you should follow safety protocols and go on to boat US I'm just trying to make a correction

[@mikevadnais7722]

I just bought this radio a couple days ago. When I look up the GPS Info, the Altimeter appears to be around 40ft higher than it should be. Standing at Sea level in Tampa Bay, it was showing me 40ft. At my home it was showing me 83ft. I know my driveway is 43ft above sea level. Are any of you experiencing this issue? Great video BTW, it sold me on this radio.

[@NickWeissMusic]

Thanks for the overview, I fish with a kayak, carry a basic VHF but it doesn't have gps, time to upgrade, I don't need to make it any harder to find me out there lol. Never knew about MMSI, helpful video.

[@IrieBuilder]

The Coast Guard's minimum standard for their communications network is being able to hear a 1w handheld radio out to 20 miles. The distance you mentioned is what you can expect from your radio to another mariner. That being said, atmospherics and terrain can impact the distance, so don't take this as encouragement to go further offshore, just a bit of information for folks.

[@news_internationale2035]

Funny enough, on a handheld connected to a really cheap mag mount, I picked their tower up about up to 20 miles inland over flat area.

[@eddiekeeler9955]

Make sure that when you purchase anything, that you buy it from an authorized dealer. If you do not purchase the item from an authorized dealer, the manufacturer may not recognize the warranty as you won't be recognized as the original purchaser. I purchased my Standard Horizon HX 890 from West Marine before June 30, 2020 and will get a $50.00 rebate. Thanks for the video, good information. This is my first vhf radio and I'll be on the water in a kayak while venturing out into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean as well as tidal waters. I read through the instruction manual and felt a little overwhelmed. I'm not that technically adept and feel that a tutorial on this radio would help out a lot of people.

[@carmendiaz1388]

Love it Captain! Thanks for the video!

[@200milluminator]

Is there a cost associated with obtaining the mmsi number for a recreational vessel in domestic waters or is it free to register and obtain one?

[@lovinhouse374]

When pushing the distress button, does it transmit your lat/long only to other boats with a MMSI number within the 2 to 5 mile range?

[@calvinator3171]

Bump.. i have the same question

[@bulldogbrower6732]

It continues to transmit on channel 70 until a Coast Guard land based station receives it and acknowledges it. The signal is passed from vessel to vessel until the land base station receives it.

[@grahamjordan8278]

Yes, the other boat must have a MMSI number. That's why you're advised to follow up a DSC Distress msg with an audio msg on CH16.

[@TheEleaticOne]

Thanks for the Video Breakdown! Can you program LMR channels into this radio like you can with the HX380?

[@joefranco7012]

Great Video...Easy to follow for new boaters. Thank you!!!

[@mikejmardis]

Just to clarify something you misspoke. You CAN transmit without a mmsi entered. You cannot transmit DSC without the mmsi number.

[@Dqalex]

Just got mine today. I'm surprised they don't have an option for a larger antenna

[@TheBelldiver]

I'm thinking a six ft. Whip attached to the kayak wouldn't be any higher than a fishing pole and should increase the range enough to warrant the effort. There is a tuning issue I don't know how to do though.

[@leventak911]

Very informative, look into buying a handheld. Thank you!

[@GEAE_Denny_L]

Can the radio still operate without MMSI right away by using regular channels to transmit/ weather, then later imputing that number to be able to use the duress button ?

[@jeffcaminero7576]

Thanks for the video. Had no idea what that mmsi thing was or how to register it

[@diagorasmoustakas249]

hello my friend .i am thinking to buy the sh hx890 or icom ic37 .what do you think

[@christianc1256]

Great radio I had mine since 2016 and worked awesome I placed an order this week on my net thank you for the live bait Early invite

[@DannyMacNair]

Great video, got mine a year ago as back up. We go back and forth to Catalina all the time, yes there seem to be more to this unit and would love to learn more.

[@DoAnythingNew]

Hi! I’m looking to get one because we are jet skiing from San Pedro to Catalina. Wonder how good your range is to and from Catalina? 1 to 10 how good do you think?

[@reddyman6915]

So in a emergency you would use the distress function on the handheld radio and the PLB ? Sorry for a dumb question , but was wondering if they inter feared with each other when both activated. Thank you .

[@rolandocamangon9711]

Good Stuff.. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.. Very Helpful.

[@DARTHDANSAN]

You need a garmin in reach mini satellite communication that’s works pole to pole

[@bidof1888]

Recommend this for jet ski users?

[@ocsrc]

Is the MMSI transmission via a VHF low orbit satellite or a terrestrial signal ? I have seen some land based GPS emergency location transmitter that used a satellite frequency that it transmits to a low orbit satellite to send your distress call and GPS Is this the same thing or does it require being within range of a land-based receiving station ? Thank you

[@charlesmorgan2309]

Great unit Captain Mike !! I was looking at one a few months back at the AC Boat Show . Thank you for video !!

[@CeeCast]

I joined a boat club and take different boats out all the time. I was wondering if there’s a way to use this since Im not on a specific vessel

[@aubreyowen5146]

Capt Mike, I want to use this radio on my kayak and in my state you dont have to register your kayak so how do I get a MMSI? I tried and it will not work on us boat without a registration number. HELP! Thanks

[@MrMacman71]

Thanks Mike. Awesome information. Ordered it just now!

[@timrice7486]

Thank you Capt Mike! Just ordered one to carry on board with my Uniden Atlantis 270 (1-handheld good, 2-better) I wish it was a high visibility color like my PLB. Considering attaching a piece of high vis colored surveying ribbon to the antenna.....what are your thoughts?

[@NovaDexter]

How well does it work over land with buildings and hills and valleys?

[@alanmckenzie3228]

Thanks for tutorial. Just got mine yesterday, you cannot put a price on safety.

[@j.c.9256]

Great video Capt. Glad to see another one, seems like it's been minute since the last one. Hope you're staying healthy!! How's the boat build?

[@ShaunPaget]

Wow I'm thinking of removing my old school radio from the console and going this route. Living on the Mississippi it only gets used to call the lock master.

[@stevenbatt7355]

Great advise Cpt. Mike. Looking forward to Live Bait store opening soon. I hope you will be carrying the sabiki rigs you recommend. Fun fact, they work great! But, seem to be getting hard to find online.

[@josephsaeteurn9158]

i just got one. helpful video. are there 2 antennas? also, the fee of $25 on MMSI, is that for the GPS service?

[@IrieBuilder]

No, the MMSI is like a digital ID card. If you enter all of the appropriate information (please do), it will provide it to the Coast Guard after hitting the DSC alert button and will aid them in your search. Don't under estimate the power of information. We can track down family members to find out where you were fishing, find your Facebook to see if you posted about your plans on the water, and follow many other avenues that will help us find you. All too often people do not register their radios which makes you anonymous when you hit the button (aside from your position), which is the last thing you want to be.

[@thebindydiaries9717]

The position on the VHF says you're on the grass outside Ocean Marine Yacht Club, Miami. Did you have a large white bag over your head when you filmed that bit..?

[@ReelReports]

This was a fun day.

[@obiwanfisher537]

Friend of mine got a handheld VHF but he never entered his MMSI number, still uses it to lock in or out and stuff like that.

[@darenleeper1644]

Read a book.....i think it was called adrift. Basically guy was in a life raft for months. He said he wished he had hand held vhf instead of flares. Ships kept passing him buy no one saw his flares. I always keep a life preserver on with a plb in pocket cause i fish by myself.

[@cswann8]

No surprising...those ships are all run by GPS linked navigation computers and the crew are busy doing various things that have nothing to do with anything in the surrounding water.

[@darenleeper1644]

@RL CL i saw that movie. The book was a solo male sailer. They also made a movie but the movie wasn't called a drift

[@alexa8826]

Great video Captain! I’ve been wanting to purchase a handheld unit for some time now. Will be purchasing the same one 👍

[@jimmycake7143]

I believe you can transmit without MMSI, But not using DSC. ?

[@Mr.Stroke0331]

Hey Capt Is it worth it to upgrade the hx870 to the hx890?

[@jamesnurkka4006]

No almost identical features

[@krisbeedle2818]

I hope the build on the new boat is going well

[@lb7wade518]

Hows the new boat coming along!!

[@ReelReports]

A little bit of a lull period with 2 boats in front of me, but update soon.

[@Patriot2609]

Is MMSI a US-only thing?

[@rustyd5070]

Very good info, Mike. Thanks

[@alechamid235]

Super helpful video, thanks a lot friend.

[@Mad-i134]

Nice orange jacket, what brand is it?

[@ReelReports]

Grundens

[@jackblack9208]

@ReelReports is this unit able to be used with a bluetooth headset? Standard horizon made a handheld about 8 years ago that had a bluetooth headset but after a short run they discontinued it. I have been wanting a bluetooth headset compatible handheld as I work offshore and use my current handheld a lot. I have been using the yaesu headset and it works great except that no matter how well I secure the wire it ends up snagging on something and breaking the wire.

[@Walternator]

Great video 🤙

[@jimdunn2958]

Very well done video. Thanks

[@leecatlow8805]

I had one of these last fall and winter. I liked it very much, but be warned- they do not float as advertised. Mine went overboard north of Abacos, and when we turned around and went back to retrieve it, it SANK! I’m still working with SH on whether or not this should be warrantied.

[@stwings98]

I hope you got SH to make it right. I have the HX870 and it floats. I did have one that was not waterproofed and it malfunctioned. SH replaced the unit but it was a slow process.

[@bombebombola8728]

IM PLANNING TO BUY ONE DO I NEED TO REGISTERED THAT TO MMSI EVEN DO I DONT HAVE ANY BOAT ? WHAT IS THE REQUIRMENT TO REGISTERED THE RADIO

[@weread4you]

I just registered mine to a kayak and from what I was told I can use it on my John boat also

[@TheTrashPirates]

Thank you for the video. Purchasing one as we are now going out deep to get trash.

[@bocabretts123]

Unless other boats were in the 3-5 mile range and relayed the information through an actual vhf antenna, i wonder how they were able to communicate with boatUS and the coast guard being they were so far out?

[@ReelReports]

You are correct the message needs to be relayed by other boaters nearby.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

The system is designed to keep transmitting distress on channel 70 through as many vessels as necessary until a land based Coast Guard system receives it and acknowledges it.

[@petertitle]

Hey Cap, how is the new boat coming along? You left us hanging after the foam and top cap.

[@joel231]

Life after 60 yeh I’m keen for the rest of the boat build too.

[@mingo0817]

they should have made it a neon yellow color too.

[@la5150hi-lophoto]

So many people think accidents happen to others…even when you’re doing everything right, shit does happen esp in the gulf. I scuba dive and do a lot of drift diving always carry a gps enable emergency beacon. However, a lot of kayakers think that they’ll never need a radio and pour all their money into fishing gear. I can personally attest that no matter how experienced , shit happens.

[@YAKMANONT]

Great video , I have that same radio ,Thanks for posting that video

[@john7017]

Great Video! Thanks for sharing.

[@edwarddow360]

Can you register this radio without owning a boat?

[@ReelReports]

Yes

[@Z0S084]

@@ReelReports so I can register one for a kayak?

[@eddiekeeler9955]

@@Z0S084 Yes, you can. A kayak is a boat, even if it is not legally required to be registered.

[@eshootziscrs2868]

You can register it without a boat. Be very careful though about using it if you are not actually on the water. Inland rivers and lakes count but triangulation might not place you on water and for some reason it's unlawful to use when not on the water. Far too many rules and regulations.

[@beingaware8542]

Does the emergency signal transmit over satellite or radio transmission?

[@grahamjordan8278]

VHF radio

[@UrbanFisherman]

Thanks for the info

[@keithvandyne8140]

Thank you for this.. Very Helpful!!!

[@topfishingdeals7609]

Very helpful! Great review

[@ericbell8166]

this Might Sound stupid.... But does This Work On The lakes..... instead of ocean

[@greg123168]

what are your thoughts on a satelite phone?

[@mikerice5298]

Every body has a phone numbers so satellite phone is very good but Radio some body would have to Hear you .

[@timbookedtwo2375]

Why are radios like this one black? They should be signal orange and floatable, maybe with a flashing light that is activated by (salt) water in case it goes overboard or you lose your grip on it, Maybe there are some radios like that on the market already. But all I have seen are ones like this.

[@news_internationale2035]

Or traditional white.

[@TEKKKNO]

How do u go fish without fish finder with gps in it

[@SteffenRoller]

I just got my Restricted Operator's Certificate. I'm going to get one of those :-).

[@dude999642]

This guy is awesome!

[@joee.fuytinck2465]

Thanks

[@eldrugoalex]

Any pilot who could recommend this as radio backup?

[@charlesfoglio7183]

Not sure if you know about the 50.00 rebate for this VHF radio thru Standard Horizon. You can download the rebate form right here www.standardhorizon.com/pdf/Standard_Horizon_2020_On_the_Horizon.pdf

[@whalerlife53]

The first thing to have in a float plan for going off shore is a Boston Whaler.

[@teachingrounds]

Another super video

[@arnoldlueders7500]

You mean your name is Mike and you are a captain!?!

[@Tech-NO-City]

a better antenna would be a good idea

[@socialbot4881]

The cobra hh 600 is the best.

[@AjarnSpencer]

wish ONE SINGLE PERSON would make a video on a boat and see how far out one can go and still talk with coast guard. Any other part of the review is unboxing and specs.. no real life usage demos!

[@georgewashington7444]

It’s a VHF radio. Distance is based on line of sight. From flat ground/water expect @3-5 miles radius at 6W. I am a ham radio operator and have had contacts over 150 miles with a 5W VHF handheld and a upgraded more efficient antenna from mountain tops 2-3000’’ above surrounding terrain. With a 3W HF radio North America to Europe is relatively easy but you need a 30-60’ wire antenna.

[@istra70]

Is Captain your name or surname ? I got this about radios OK.... Thanks for posting

[@MrRobertkhall]

"The storm came out of nowhere"