Need advice on VHF radio
 

Looking to get a handheld VHF RADIO for my kayak. What should i be looking for, playing to paddle to La Jolla kelp. Dont want to leave home with out one. I was looking at the:
Midland Nautico NT3VP - Two-way radio - VHF - 88-channel
What is the big difference in the number of Channel?
Any info would help. :confused:
Thanks
HUGO

Standard Horizon and Icom, hold up well to kayak abuse. Submersible that floats is a good idea.

X2 icom has been the best for me:reel:

Icom IC- M72 is pretty nice.....small and compact....floats and submersible.....I wear it on my jacket and barely know it is there.....Use to have the ICOM IC-M34....good but bigger than the M72

Ditto on the Icom usually in stock at West Marine. I always look for submersible and floating when buying electroinics for the kayak. My Icom has held up to years of abuse and is on my go - no go list.

X4 on the Icom, I have the IC-M72.

I use a ICOM M88 with remote mic.

The Radio doesn't float but is about the size of a cig pack so I keep it in my vest pocket, with the remote clipped up on the strap.


http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6...lvestradio.jpg


http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/6518/radioout.jpg

Lots of harbor patrols and police boat crews use this setup, they make belt clips for it but I prefer having it in the vest since it's a speaker mic anyway.

When I got it the M88 had something like the best specs of any Icom handheld. That was a few years ago, so I'm not sure how it stacks up now, but I'm sold. Mine's been dunked many times and left on till the battery drained etc.. No problems with it what-so-ever.

I have two of them. Got the first one on sale half price online, the second on ebay (bad charger.. salt damage) but with the radio and mic in great condition for practically nothing.

I still run a Uniden in my skiff but when it comes to marine waterproof radios hand held or for boats I don't think you can beat Icom.

Jim