Handheld VHF Radios

Wireless VHF Radios Resources and Information

VHF radios and hailers are absolutely necessary for ensuring your safety when out on the water. PartsVu offers a broad range of these essential communication products from some of the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. Browse VHF radios and hailers from Icom, Garmin, Cobra Electronics, Standard Horizon, Lowrance, Uniden, Simrad, SI-TEX, and others.

Complete your purchase with VHF radio accessories from our VHF radio and hailer and accessories selection. If you’re looking for more boat products, choose from our full selection of boat products and accessories, or electronics and navigation. 

Handheld VHF Radios FAQs

Do I really need a VHF radio?

The short answer is, yes, you most definitely need a VHF radio or 2-way radio particularly if you boat any significant distance from the shore. But, why? If you get into trouble you can simply call the authorities on your cell phone, right? Well…maybe and maybe is not the answer you want in an emergency. The following are the reasons you need a VHF radio on your boat in addition to your cell phone.

Imagine that you find yourself in an emergency situation and you are offshore and away from cell towers. Or maybe you are not that far offshore, but the day is very overcast and your phone is having difficulty obtaining reception. You need to contact the authorities or other support and you look down at your phone and see no or maybe only one of those coveted bars. With VHF radios you never have to worry about losing service. While cell phones rely on cell reception, data, and wifi, two-way radios are a self-contained communications network. This means that if for whatever reason cell phones aren’t working, your two-way radio is there at the ready.

Certain two-way radios are built to withstand very harsh environmental conditions. Rain, sand, extreme cold do nothing to stand in the way of these rugged radios as many two-way radio models are waterproof and sand-proof. Some can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, in a depth of three feet, and still be functional.

Multiple people can be dispatched at one time reducing the need to call people individually. In addition, everyone involved in an emergency situation can communicate instantly assuring help is on the way as quickly as possible and all involved can stay in touch in the meantime.

Fixed VHF radios are powered by the boat’s electrical system. However, handheld 2-way radios generally have longer battery lives than your cell phone and serve as great backup communication devices.

What is the typical range of a VHF radio?

With the right technology in place, a two-way radio’s coverage can be extended across a very wide distance – 30+ miles. Obstacles in a radio’s line of sight will block or diminish its signal, but more powerful antennas can substantially extend this distance.

Can VHF radios communicate with telephones? 

Many two-way radios have what’s called a telephony feature, which allows for communication between the radio and a landline, or cell phone. This is possible because radio base repeater stations can be connected to telephone networks. Telephony functions are very helpful if there might be a need to communicate with people who don’t have a two-way radio. This said, emergency and rescue organizations are very used to communicating with two-way radios.

Do VHF radios have a use beyond emergency communication? 

Radio ahead for a berth at a marina or maybe you want to chat with a passing boat for advice on entering a new channel. Do keep in mind, however, marine VHF radios, whether fixed or handheld, may not be used on land – it’s the law. Once a VHF radio goes ashore, it cannot be used for marine band transmission without a Coast Station license. While your marine VHF radio cannot be used onshore, many boaters find 2-way radios not using a marine band transmission – think walkie talkie from your childhood – handy for communicating fairly short distances with friends and family while onshore.

What makes the ICOM M93D Handheld VHF Marine Transceiver with GPS unique? 

The M93D radio is professional and stylish with an easy-to-use interface. The M93 is slender, has a 2-tone body, is feature-rich and smart. Enjoy Icom’s continued tradition of Float’n Flash, AquaQuake™, and Active Noise Cancelling. The M93D will keep you safe with integrated GPS – providing location, bearing, and speed. Plus this handheld meets ITU-R M493-13 Class D DSC with a dedicated built-in DSC receiver for CH 70. Icom’s new M93D is built for the serious boater.

What is the ACR SR203 GMDSS Survival Radio?

The SR203 GMDSS Survival Radio meets all the requirements of the IMO for carriage on SOLAS vessels. Built tough for all marine applications and easy to use in an emergency situation, the SR203 is the ideal choice for mandatory and voluntary carriage. The digital display and control buttons are backlit making operation in low light environments simple. Once activated, the SR203 is automatically tuned to channel 16 and has a single push channel 16 call button to quickly return to the emergency channel. The SR203 boasts an exceptional battery life of over 16 hours (@ -4°F (-20°C)) thanks to its highly efficient transmitter designed to maximize battery life. The innovative battery protection tab means the primary battery can be permanently attached to the radio without fear of losing its charge. The radio will always be available for use in times of emergency without the need to remove protective labels. Simply break off the red protective tab and the radio will be immediately ready to turn on to channel 16. For everyday use, ACR offers a lithium polymer rechargeable battery option. The quick-release rapid charger provides the ideal solution for keeping the batteries fully charged.

What is the difference between EPIRB, PLB, and AIS technology?

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. They are used to alert search and rescue services in an emergency. They transmit a 406 MHz distress frequency signal via satellite and earth stations to the nearest rescue coordination center.

The network EPIRBs work on is called Cospas-Sarsat, and it is an international collaboration. It’s up and running 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. In 2021, 263 people have been rescued so far—143 of those people at sea. Worldwide, over 48,000 people have been rescued since 1982.

It is essential for boaters to understand that this network is to be utilized in the case of genuine emergencies, not simply if your boat breaks down and you need a tow.

PLBs work the same way that EPIRBs do— they send a coded message on the same distress frequency and utilize the Cospas-Sarsat network. The most crucial difference is that EPIRBs are registered to a vessel, whereas a PLB is registered to a person. This means that if you switch to a new boat or you decide to use a friend’s boat, the PLB will still be registered to you.

EPIRBS, on the other hand, would need to be reregistered if you buy a new boat. If you rent or use someone else’s boat, you wouldn’t be able to take the EPIRB from your boat. That’s because if you did use it, it would send a distress signal describing a vessel that isn’t yours. So, you will need to rent an EPIRB, which you can do relatively inexpensively from Boats U.S. Foundation and other sources. 

Why should boaters follow safety regulations?

Boating on various waterways is similar to automobiles out on the roads and highways—safety devices are designed to keep people safe. Thousands of accidents occur, many of which have a high probability of injury and a substantial number of cases resulting in death.

Specifically, in 2020 the Coast Guard counted 5,265 recreational boating accidents resulting in 767 deaths, 3,191 injuries, and approximately $62.5 million of property damage. Where the cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.

Since most accidents occur unexpectedly, there may not be sufficient time to put on a life jacket, especially when stowed away in a locker. In cases where a person is thrown overboard, it is harder than you think to get them back on board, which can be assisted with proper equipment. Always be sure personal floatation devices (PFDs) are in good and serviceable condition. For extra protection, equip your PFDs with a whistle and emergency light.