If you have a boat and plan it to take it in the ocean, far off the shore more often, an on board vhf marine radio is rather a requisite. These radios are not just helpful in tracking weather, but also act as an emergency backup in adverse sea conditions. It assists in communicating with other boats and waving an emergency signal at times of distress. There are plentiful of vhf radios available in the market to choose from. Depending upon the requirements, these come in different variants, therefore choosing the one that suits your boat most, may not prove to be an easy task.
Mentioned below is a set of instructions that are a must to follow, before setting out to purchase a vhf radio for oceanic activities. Go through them and then move forward.
Some Tips on Choosing a Marine VHF Radio
Channel Range of the Radio
Depending upon the magnitude of your oceanic excursions, the channel range of the radio varies accordingly. For sea ventures, restricted to rivers and lakes, a radio with a limited channel range is appropriate. However, if you are capable of taking the boat, out in open-ocean, a radio with an ability to support all channel ranges, is certainly a mandate.
Weather Alerts
Although the weather alert functionality is fairly standard on most of the vhf radios, it is important to make sure, the one you choose, has it. These radios allow you to be aware of the weather threats at a distance away, so that you can be prepared to combat the danger approaching.
GPS Enabled
GPA allows you to keep track of your location and provides you with exacts longitudes and latitudes. This is especially necessary when you want to relay your position to a boat in your vicinity at times of emergency. Therefore, make sure your vhf radio is GPS enabled.
Resistant to Water
Make sure the vhf radio you select is resistant to water and is submersible up to a respected level. This ensures, the radio remains safe from getting damaged from water.
Transmitting Power
The power of transmitting signals is a crucial factor to consider while purchasing a vhf radio. Some radios come with a noise cancellation feature that removes the background noise while communicating, and allows for a better listening and speaking through the microphone. Make sure, the vhf radio you choose is equipped with such functionalities.
Marine vhf radios are a big help in ensuring safe boating while out in the ocean, a lake or a river. Mentioned above are some of the basic features that are a must have in every vhf radio. Some advanced radios come with additional features as well. Therefore, make sure to conduct a thorough research while choosing a marine vhf radio.
