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Olly, couldn't find the thread where jehler was asking you about best options to contact the coast guard. Looking for something that will work 80-140 miles offshore.

A marine VHF radio. For that range you'll need something stronger than 5W which is what most handhelds produce so a mobile mount is what you want. Also get a good antenna and tune it right, the antenna is way more important in any radio setup then the actual radio.

The CG uses several different brands of radios but my favorite "none professional" meaning cheaper has always been Standard Horizon. They are owned by Yaesu one of the best radio manufactures in the world and my favorite HAM radios.

The 1200 model is a base model and produces 25W and will fill your distance requirements, pair that with the pretty much universal 8' whip antenna and you're all set. The CG uses Shakespeare antennas almost exclusively.

http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Horizon- ... 25&sr=1-12

http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-5101- ... gy_e_img_z

A common mount

http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Stain ... y_sg_img_y

I would install the radio and antenna (following the directions) and then find someone who has a SWR meter and have it tuned (following the directions for the antenna) or just buy a cheap one, they can be had for less than $75.

Awesome, I didn't realize VHF radios had that kind of range. The boat already has radio and a simillar antenna I'll check the specs next time I'm down there. Just assumed it would take a sat phone at that range. Thanks

Flightstopper wrote:Awesome, I didn't realize VHF radios had that kind of range. The boat already has radio and a simillar antenna I'll check the specs next time I'm down there. Just assumed it would take a sat phone at that range. Thanks

Well honestly over 100 miles will be a rareity. You're realistly looking at 50-80 miles max realibly, I thought you were asking about handheld vs mobile mount radios. If you really need to talk over 150 miles all the time I would get a sat phone. Sorry if I was misleading.

All good, in 50 to 80 mile range we are in close contact with rigs and other boats and feel pretty comfortable there. We want to go further note and at 140 miles we would still be 60 miles from a rig to relay a message but boats become more scarce. Would feel more comfortable having direct contact and not have to rely on our message not reaching correctly. Going to look into a sat phone.

This is what you need. Unless you plan on chit chatting with the CG sat phones are way to expensive.

http://www.navtec.de/english/epirb2.htm

A single sideband radio is what you need if you're not gonna have a sat phone. A VHF isn't going to get close to that range unless atmospheric conditions are perfect and the signal can really get out and/or the antenna is mounted very high...on top of a tuna tower.
We've talked from offshore Hatteras to my great uncle in Venezuela many times via the sideband radio. It's not absolutely necessary for us when fishing at Hatteras, but when fishing out of va beach and ocean city, md where we're fishing much further offshore, the sideband is needed since we don't have a sat phone on the boat.