Need advice on VHF radio - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

reefer · 06-10-2011, 02:49 PM

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.

Thanks
HUGO

Iceman · 06-10-2011, 03:39 PM

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

mtnbykr2 · 06-10-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

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

bigbarrels · 06-10-2011, 09:11 PM

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

petemaranda · 06-11-2011, 09:37 AM

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.

Flyfisher70 · 06-11-2011, 06:28 PM

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

Fiskadoro · 06-11-2011, 10:11 PM

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.

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

06-10-2011, 02:49 PM	#1
reefer Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: CAMARILLO Posts: 60	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. Thanks HUGO

06-10-2011, 03:39 PM	#2
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	Standard Horizon and Icom, hold up well to kayak abuse. Submersible that floats is a good idea. __________________

06-10-2011, 09:11 PM	#4
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	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 __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

06-11-2011, 09:37 AM	#5
petemaranda Junior Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 8	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.

06-11-2011, 06:28 PM	#6
Flyfisher70 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 69	X4 on the Icom, I have the IC-M72.

06-11-2011, 10:11 PM	#7
Fiskadoro ....... Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,509	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. 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