Best Marine Two-Way Radios in 2022

Last update: December 28, 2022

Can you use marine VHF on land?

No, marine VHF cannot be used on land. Marine VHF radio waves only travel over water and will not reach land.

Do marine radios need a VHF Licence?

No, you don't need a license to operate a marine radio in the United States. However, you must have a license if you want to operate a marine radio in Canada.

Do police use VHF or UHF?

Most police and law enforcement agencies in the United States use VHF (Very High Frequency) radios for their daily operations. UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radios are typically used for specialized operations or in areas where VHF radios may not work well.

How do I increase my VHF range?

There are a few things you can do to increase the range of your VHF radio. One is to make sure the antenna is mounted as high as possible. Another is to use a higher gain antenna. And finally, you can use a repeater to extend your range.


Standard Horizon HX890 Handheld VHF Navy Blue - Floating 6 Watt Class H DSC Two Way Radio Review:


Although I did observe that it goes quickly when the battery is getting low, the battery life is good. I hope I never have to test the water resistance so I can't speak to it. It is a little challenging to use and takes some getting accustomed to. The static on channel 14 as it was traveling through the river locks would not go away with the squelch setting; this may have been due to interference, but it also seemed to drain the battery.



Standard Horizon HX870 Floating 6W Handheld VHF with Internal GPS Review:


So far, it has performed well. I added channels for scanning and the NOAA WX alert, and both channels worked. It is rather simple to manually program and straightforward to program, and it was made to provide easy access to the key features.Comments Section 2 The DCS emergency feature of this radio is its greatest asset, however to use it, you must apply for and get an MMSI number. My search for a nice, simple application form on the Power Squadron website was successful.it does involve logging on with a password and registration:The Man-Machine-Interface is not too difficult to learn, and radio programming is simple, if not a little tiresome. In case you have more than one kayak, the MMSI application works just fine for an unregistered kayak and does not require a precise description of the kayak.The radio only has one flaw: after entering the MMSI number, you have to mail the device back to the manufacturer to have it reset.With another boater, I double-checked the MMSI number operation, and it was successful. There is a non-emergency procedure for contacting other MMSI numbered vessels using MMSI numbers.To connect to common SO239 antenna cables, you will need an adaptor if you want a stronger antenna. I obtained: B00MFRMLIA/ref=cfb at prodpg from Amazon.com.and my base antenna made it function perfectly.



Uniden UM385 25 Watt Fixed Mount Marine Vhf Radio, Waterproof IPX4 with Triple Watch, Dsc, Emergency/Noaa Weather Alert, All Usa/International/Canadian Marine Channels, Memory Channel Scan, White Review:


On my 17' fish and ski, I installed it to replace a very old radio. Easy to install, picks up all the weather channels. Finally used it to speak with several passing barges while out on the local channels, and it worked without any issues. The mic clip is the only thing I can see. The plastic clip that slides into the metal holder on the rear of the microphone has the potential to break off, but only time will tell. It appears to be a pretty decent product overall. If you intend to get this, you will undoubtedly need an antenna.



Uniden UM385BK 25 Watt Fixed Mount Marine Vhf Radio, Waterproof IPX4 W/ Triple Watch, Dsc, Emergency/Noaa Weather Alert, All Usa/International/Canadian Marine Channels, Memory Channel Scan, Black Review:


On my 17' fish and ski, I installed it to replace a very old radio. Easy to install, picks up all the weather channels. Finally used it to speak with several passing barges while out on the local channels, and it worked without any issues. The mic clip is the only thing I can see. The plastic clip that slides into the metal holder on the rear of the microphone has the potential to break off, but only time will tell. It appears to be a pretty decent product overall. If you intend to get this, you will undoubtedly need an antenna.



Standard Horizon Eclipse Gx1300 Fixed-Mount Class D Dsc VHF Radio Review:


Although Standard Horizon is a highly regarded radio brand, this particular model is not loud enough. It is in a Polaris RZR that I use for off-roading. To hear it over the motor, I had to attach an external speaker. This radio is not the best choice if you plan to use it in a noisy setting, but it has never failed.



FAYOGOO Kids Walkie Talkies, 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Radio, 4-Mile Range Two Way Radios with Flashlight and LCD Screen, and Toys for 3-12 Year Old Boys and Girls Review:


These are awesome!Pros:1) tiny. Even for a young toddler, these are very portable. They also have a cord attached, which I adore because you can hold them conveniently in that way. You might also fit in a pocket.2) Quite understandable for a walkie-talkie. Good but not ideal quality.3. The color pink is extremely pink. You receive what is promised. Handy!4) The USB charging option is fantastic. This is helpful to us. Kids don't comprehend how off switches function, as you are well aware, I'm sure.Cons:1) I do not possess any. Although we haven't tested the entire range, they function from our park to the house, a distance of about half a mile. What we need is this.



Standard Horizon HX300 Standard HX300 Handheld VHF Marine Radio Review:


Being somewhat inexperienced with marine communications, I wasn't sure which type to buy. I went online to read some reviews and compare prices after spotting a promotional discount offer in a neighborhood brick and mortar marine store. I purchased this item after discovering a fantastic offer on Amazon.It's fantastic that the radio has a USB charger, but since it's not a micro-USB, your phone's connector won't work with it. If you need to charge the radio, at least you can merely carry the cable.The device is said to float by the manufacturer, not by my tests (yet), and when the radio is submerged in water, a flashing beacon appears.Based on my own usage and testing, the response is excellent. both emergency and weather bands. On the water, the radio can be charged for the full day and still have power for a second half of the day. While on the water, provided you have it switched on.It charges quickly. I've seen it charge fully with one bar of power left in less than two hours. Whether it is on or off, it shows "FL" when it has finished charging (meaning FULL).I needed a handheld radio, and I figured the floating feature and flashing light would be helpful while swimming.I thought this radio was an excellent fit because it fulfills all of my requirements and was reasonably priced in the low hundred dollar bracket.I hope this evaluation was beneficial to you. Best of luck.



Standard Horizon Eclipse Gx1300 Fixed-Mount Class D Dsc VHF Radio Review:


I bought this radio so that I could stay in touch with my fishing partners when on vacation and fishing on big Canadian shield lakes where phone and texting don't function. The radio is excellent; we could hear talks from a distance of around seven miles away and others from as far away as ten miles, albeit they were a bit fragmented.Additionally, I've used it more frequently than I anticipated in Wisconsin while fishing and when my friends are out on the water. To go with this, I bought a Shakespeare 5401-XT antenna that is four feet long. The combination is very effective.I've had the radio/antenna in my boat for nearly a year, and it's great.



Cobra MRHH350FLT Floating VHF Long Range Marine Radio, Tri-Watch, Burp Feature Review:


This radio is serviceable all around. I purchased this VHF to keep in touch with friends when on river float trips and to wear on my PFD when kayak fishing larger lakes and coastal waters. It has so far endured really well. Just be sure to wash the salt spray off after use, as you should with all of your equipment!Great battery life is provided. I continuously scan a number of channels and often broadcast at the lowest power level. The battery indicator just lost two bars after being in use for two complete days. I haven't intentionally submerged it in water to test the waterproof claims, but I'm confident it will be fine. Everything appears to be well sealed.The fact that this device can only be charged with the included charging cradle is my sole criticism about it. It would be wonderful if it included a USB-B or C port so that multi-day trips could be fueled by a portable battery bank.In general, I consider this radio to be an excellent buy. It is incredibly feature-rich, portable, and lightweight. It is a wonderful value for weekend users and meets the bill adequately. Having said that, I would probably spend more money on a better quality Icom or Standard Horizon portable radio due of their reputation for dependability and longevity if I were using a handheld radio every day.



Cobra Mr Hh600 Flt GPS Bt Floating Handheld VHF Radio W/GPS and Bluetooth Review:


A VHF radio is essential safety gear whether you are boating offshore or in the main intercostal canals. Both recreational boats and large commercial vessels that need a backup radio can use this handheld VHF radio. Most mounted and hardwired radios become inoperable when the electrical power on your boat is lost. The solution is this handheld.Both must and do exist:- Offers the VHF and weather modes that mariners want.- Has a GPS receiver integrated in.- Has a Distress Button and Digital Selective Calling (DSC).Let me elaborate a little more about the Distress Button. Once everything is set up, all a boater or passenger needs to do is push and hold the Distress Button to broadcast a distress signal throughout the radio's entire range. The built-in distress button will automatically and digitally communicate the following information to all ships, boats, and stations equipped with DSC, including the Coast Guard: the boat's name, registration number, description, and—most importantly—its GPS coordinates/location. This implies that anyone on board the boat can transmit this vital information without speaking into a radio or needing any prior radio skills or training.The only things the boat captain needs to make sure of are that the radio is preprogrammed (detailed instructions are available) and that everyone on board is informed on how and when to "Press The Little Red Emergency Button." With the aid of this distress button, my "non-radio people" relatives and family can save our lives in an emergency without my assistance. For me, this element is sufficient compensation for the entrance fee.Ideally Having:- Your cell phone connected via Bluetooth. It works since I quickly connected my iPhone to my HH600W. I placed my iPhone in a water-resistant box a few feet from my HH600W, and I successfully took a test call. It is unable to send text messages.- Floats, Water Resistant, and High Visibility Colors. NOTE: There are two things that the manual makes extremely clear. One: Only the Lithium Ion battery pack makes it float (included). With the five AA Alkaline battery adaptor, it does not float (included). Weightier batteries are alkaline ones. Two: If it is properly sealed, it is only waterproof to the specified depth. In order to prevent water from entering and damaging the radio, you must properly protect the battery compartment, antenna connection, and optional microphone connector port.- Reverse Once more possibly helpful in some circumstances. I'm not very interested in this feature.On my yacht, this radio serves as a safety feature. Every advertised function was tried by me and was successful. It is reasonably priced and has the primary modes that sailors want. It's simple to set up using a menu system, however I do suggest reading the handbook thoroughly. If you do, you will get more enjoyment from the radio. Register your boat or radio online for the necessary Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number by devoting the 10 minutes necessary. On BoatUS, SeaTow, or the United States Power Squadrons, you can obtain your MMSI for nothing. Important safety advice: This radio's distress button feature cannot be used without an MMSI.Despite the fact that it may not be the ideal answer for many users, I gave this radio five stars. My observation is that some people have exaggerated expectations when it comes to technology devices. Most boaters will find this radio to be of great use.


How do you talk on a VHF marine radio?

To talk on a VHF marine radio, you will need to have a radio that is properly licensed and programmed with the correct frequencies. You will also need to know the proper radio etiquette for talking on a VHF marine radio.

How far can a VHF signal travel?

A VHF signal can travel up to about 100 miles (160 km) under ideal conditions. However, in most cases, the range will be much less. Factors that can affect the range include terrain (hills, trees, buildings), weather conditions (rain, snow, fog), and the type of antenna being used.

How far will a 100 watt ham transmit?

A 100 watt ham radio will transmit about 30 miles on flat terrain. In hilly or mountainous terrain, it will transmit about 10 miles.

How far will a 6 watt VHF radio transmit?

A 6 watt VHF radio will transmit approximately 6 miles.

What 2 Way Radio has the longest range?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the type of terrain, the weather conditions, and the power of the radio. However, some two-way radios have a longer range than others, and it is worth doing some research to find the radio that best suits your needs.

What is the best marine radio for boat?

There is no definitive answer for what the best marine radio for boat is. However, some factors to consider when choosing a marine radio for boat include: the type of boat, the size of boat, the budget, and the features desired.