Using Handheld VHF Radios | Basics for Kayak Fishing

[@georgemorcom9700]

Great explanation of the VHF radio. I have the HX320. I carry it with me all the time but have never used it. This helped to remember things I’d forgotten as well as learn things I didn’t know. Thank you!

[@1220freddie]

This presentation was so good. Recently started kayaking and quickly realized the importance of this safety tool. The presentation discussed the basic functions that I wouldn’t even know to ask about VHF radios. At the same time, it taught me a whole bunch about what I basically need to know. I’ll be purchasing two radios soon and it’s good to know that I have a starting point to begin the purchase of what I can afford. Well done, Sir.

[@rogerroberts5857]

Great breakdown on all the features and how to use. Thanks for the great content

[@MartinCheifetz]

Great work as always, Jim. Thank you

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

Great presentation! I had a VHF radio but didn't understand how to use it. Thanks!

[@sanjaymajumder9673]

Very very informative video for a new boater who never uses a VHF

[@mahershop7139]

Thanks for you for making this basic use of handheld vhf radio. It helps for beginners.

[@TheBowserJournal]

My wife and I have considered this option recently. Yes we have cell phones but "two is one, one is none". We don't go out to open water like your marlin story but emergencies can happen any where on the water. Thanks for this video!

[@davids8132]

Great overview! It is very helpful as I'm shopping around for a handheld VHF. Appreciate you taking time to share this valuable information with fellow boaters.

[@paulmerritt7540]

great explanation for being as you say "basic" thank you so much!

[@wildandbarefoot]

I'm a windsurfer. Also a navigator. During a storm (English Channel) I heard a RNLI call out for a windsurfer blown out off Brighton. We were busy surviving the Sea ourselves, in troughs, and no way could we have helped him, if we could have seen him. I would recommend a portable VHF to any water user, and even fastening one to a life vest, and kept charged. I don't know of any sinking/survival situation that wouldn't have benefitted from VHF on a life vest of one of the survivors. Ever. Most of the stories of survival, they saw some kind of distant vessel, or oil rig etc. And would have been rescued much sooner. Never Dick about with VHF, you can be fined, or your VHF confiscated. Use it properly and it's a major contribution to your safety

[@scottconnorzzzzz]

Thank you from the UK. Have watched a few videos but found yours the most helpful so far. Great stuff 👍

[@carleecrawford1506]

Great tutorial!!!! Thanks for posting this!! I have a very similar radio and had no idea how to use it. You fixed that with this video!!!! Thanks!!!!

[@sdyakin6821]

Great info! Starting to yak fish, safety is my priority right now. La Jolla, one day!!!

[@oldstudbuck3583]

Thank you for the effort making this video

[@demetrioamador5034]

Thanks for the video, very informative!

[@aquamanaquaman1715]

Just got my first radio, HX 890. Thanks for the training.

[@luiscamacho2640]

Thanks for the video, from Puerto Rico very helpful

[@erichong5357]

This helped a lot coming from a new boater! thanks

[@modsurgeon]

Great info. Thanks!

[@clarkewoodfin]

great video ! Thanks for the information. I just ordered one of the Hx300 units you use.

[@TheDcrocks1]

Hows the transmission ability been like? Im interested in this vhf but not sure how well it will transmit.

[@lexheath8276]

I bought a JK Kraken because of this dude, no regrets... good man to listen to.

[@jamesphung3091]

Thanks for your video. I’m currently in the market for a radio.

[@genelamb4427]

I have thought about getting a VHF radio for safety. I fish large lakes out of my kayak in Kansas. I am not sure if anyone monitors VHF here like on coastal waters. I have begun to ask around. So far I have heard that it is hit or miss. I am planning to ask the Corp of Engineers. Thanks for the information.

[@Aesop101]

Outstanding info. Thank you Sir

[@davidholt4216]

Very helpful...thanks so much!

[@gpi1955]

thanks so much for vid... got to find me one since I fish alone in cold water temps alot

[@stevenseguro]

This was great.

[@schalazeal07]

Paranoid af! XD I plan on purchasing 2 plbs and one vhf even tho I don't do much travelling yet. XD

[@pbkayakyer]

Definitely good information!!

[@djcue7608]

Awesome bro

[@jelly_fishing]

Great video and breakdown explanation

[@pedrodiaz6869]

Thanks for the info. Happy New Year :)

[@joseponce3674]

Thanks very good info.!

[@jasonposte8521]

For grater rang can I hook my hand held up to a bigger marine antenna?

[@lhez]

Regarding the DSC feature and the possibility to link the distress call to the GPS included in the handheld and send automatically your position, do I need an MMSI number? If I do, do you know what´s the procedure with a kayak that has no MMSI number?

[@spev7989]

It is easy and free. Usps.org or search United States power squadron, then there will be a tab on the top right of the screen that says mmsi. New user and register. I believe the category section is where the drop down tab for canoe/kayak is. Don't worry about hull number and most of the other questions. I used my phone number, name and address. I think that was about it. Once you submit the for and they accept it, you will have your MMSI number in a few seconds.

[@carlossantini3605]

Yes, you do!

[@wdh1855]

Do you know which Standard Horizon models are compatible with the speaker/mics?

[@vicinitydigitaldesig]

Would you recommend the Standard Horizon HX40 over the HX300?

[@ADVNevada]

Awesome thanks 👍

[@andrewmaccaskey4388]

Thanks

[@benoitsimonet-n6k]

I had 2 HX300 that I kept in my lifejacket pocket sailing a small sports catamaran (Hobie Cat 16). I was very happy until they both ended the same way: they took water and stopped working after first capsize. It only took a couple of min in the water and that was it ....after 2nd radio I lost like that, I wonder if Standard Horizon's waterproof certification is real or not ...😢

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

Standard Horizon makes a very good radio, but the factory antenna is Crap ! Get a replacement. Better yet, get an ICOM ! And no matter where you go, or what you are doing on the water, prepare and leave a FLOAT PLAN with at least 2 people. As for "radio checks" depending on where you are, companies like SeaTow have automated radio checks. Speaker mics are ok if you are talking to someone very close by. For the most effective comms, hold the radio in your hand with the antenna vertical & unobstructed/not blocked by your body or anything else. Even if the radio floats, attach a 2-3 ft lanyard to it and wear around your neck/tie to PFD

[@jamessilverman4887]

Just purchased West Marine VHF470. I plan to use it on two different kayaks for fishing. One in Florida. The other in New Jersey. On first turning it on I got the message to input the MMSI number. Aside from the $25 fee the problem I have is neither kayak is registered officially as it is not a requirement since not motorized. Apparently MMSI is tied to a boat registration number. What is the way to make this radio MSI ready in these two situations? Thanks in advance.

[@WalterRash]

So with a hand held VHF with DSC it has its own built in GPS. You can go to Sea Tow, Tow Boat US or other sites and register your Hand Held VHF and get an MMSI number. I kayak in Delaware and used my kayaks hull number, which you can find usually towards the back of the kayak, and I made up a boat name for it. The most important part is to keep your contact and emergency contact info up to date. If the Coast Guard receives a DSC distress alert from your MMSI # they pull up all the info you have provided and the clock starts ticking. They will reach out to you and your contacts while they are gathering the last known gps coordinates of the beacon and putting Search and Rescue plans together. Yes, people have been cited for false activations. It’s just like calling a fake mayday call. I have the Standard Horizon 870, which is similar to your unit.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

@@WalterRash Unintentional/accidental activation is one thing... False or prank distress calls WILL get you arrested and charged !

[@kred2770]

Do you need a license to operate Marine VHF Radio in the US?

[@KayakFishingTales]

Not in USA

[@damage3538]

whats the best radio for kayak

[@KayakFishingTales]

Ray Velez I use Standard Horizon

[@justinmckinlay]

Perfect

[@barnaclebill1615]

You could also buy an ACR Personal Locator Beacon. With a vhf radio your reliant on an audible response. Yet with a PLB (once you activate it) you can guarantee help is on the way. Check out ACR Electronics. Radios are nice but do have their place. Carry redundancies, because “two is one and one is none”. 😊👍👍

[@user-sx4yu3nw4j]

With a DSC-equipped VHF/GPS, is an audible response required? Sure, an EPIRB or PLB would be great as backups for an emergency, but they’re not going to be of any value for routine comms with other boaters

[@bschonec]

Nobody ever said, "I'm glad I didn't have that $90 VHF radio as my backup." Even if you're on a boat with a build-in VHF radio, electrical systems can and do malfunction. Fuses blow.

[@dalethebelldiver7740]

What about a CB RADIO?

[@WaldenSpawn]

I think those are for land and VHF is for water, I could be wrong but I don’t think you can use CB radios on water and vice versa

[@user-sx4yu3nw4j]

You’d be the only one on the water using it, so it wouldn’t do you any good. The USCG is on VHF, so use that. Also, what CB radio is waterproof, floats, and has DSC distress signaling with GPS location??

[@benoitsimonet-n6k]

I had 2 HX300 that I kept in my lifejacket pocket sailing a small sports catamaran (Hobie Cat 16). I was very happy until they both ended the same way: they took water and stopped working after first capsize. It only took a couple of min in the water and that was it ....after 2nd radio I lost like that, I wonder if Standard Horizon's waterproof certification is real or not ...😢