Cobra MR HH125

[apshutt]

As a small Sib owner who won't venture more than a mile off shore I wanted to know if the above radio would be suitable. I know it's the cheapest on fleabag but with the cost of the license and exam it's all I can really afford!
I have life jackets, anchor, oars etc and want to be safe hence the vhf. BUT if I went for the best of everything I couldn't afford to get out on the water!


Thanks all

Andy

[Nos4r2]

It's not about how far offshore you're going, it's about how far you are from someone else who can hear you.

You'd be better off buying good quality 2nd hand than new poor quality kit.

[kaman]

I bought a Cobra MR HH125 when I started sibbing a few years back. However having used another handheld device of a fellow boater I quickly realised it's inadequacies! It is limited in range and not water resistant. As they say you gets what you pay for. I eventually bit the bullet and spent 120 quid on a Standard Horizon which was heavy discounted in a sale. The S.H unit
is in a different class to the Cobra . It picks up transmissions that were garbled on the Cobra. Its bombproof, it floats and is 100 % waterproof. All in all it's a pleasure to use. I gave the Cobra to my old man as a a backup for his boat.
I would personally advise against the purchase of this unit.
If you are limited to that kind of budget - get a second hand Standard Horizon or Icom or similar.

[Peter_C]

I would recommend a radio with GPS for DSC, that floats. If you blow your whole budget and need help without taking the class, hit the red DSC button and beg them to come and write you a ticket, at the GPS coordinates you just sent them. (Unless of course they will not give you a MMSI number without the class?) That is said tongue in cheek...somewhat.

[chris.moody]

+1 for Icom and Standard Horizon. Far better quality than the cheaper brands which are false economy.

[apshutt]

Thanks for the comments. It looks like I will have to save a bit more

[apshutt]

Whats an MMSI number? I have seen them mentioned.

[apshutt]

Got it thanks. Answer to question that is not the radio.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by apshutt

Thanks for the comments. It looks like I will have to save a bit more

This isn't an official ribnet recommendation bit some people might suggest that you get the radio (you don't need dsc, especially if a. You are always in a similar area and think through how to describe it and even less so if b. You have a GPS... it's nice to have, as is floating but some thin cord can stop it being lost) Then do the training at a later date when funds allow. The ownership license (and mmsi no) are free and don't require the operators certificate. Op cert only required for routine use, not in emergencies. Routine use will make you more confident in emergencies, but even a bad mayday is better than no mayday.

[paul sparkes]

gets pricey this boating lark!!

every thread i read makes me realise that i need to throw more cash at my new hobby. Should have taken up smoking, it would have been cheaper!!!

[apshutt]

Thanks Poly for that. I realise that you should have some training or at least do an online course as people need to follow procedures. The RYA SRC training at my local club will cost £99 for the training and £60 for the assessment!
I think that's a little steep for some people (me included).
I think you might have opened a can if worms now though! Love yer style

[apshutt]

Originally Posted by paul sparkes

gets pricey this boating lark!!

every thread i read makes me realise that i need to throw more cash at my new hobby. Should have taken up smoking, it would have been cheaper!!!

I gave up and still can't afford it!

In all honesty though I have seen people out further than me on lilos! I just want to be a bit more responsible and maybe help the emergency services by picking up someone on a lilo!

[paul sparkes]

I have one of the cobra radios that you mentioned as it was all i could afford at the time and thought it would be better than nothing. Now having read all of the threads about them i might as well bung it in the sea!!

Best start saving again for the next one

[apshutt]

Originally Posted by paul sparkes

I have one of the cobra radios that you mentioned as it was all i could afford at the time and thought it would be better than nothing. Now having read all of the threads about them i might as well bung it in the sea!!

Best start saving again for the next one

Can I be next to you when you go to throw it in please?

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Poly

This isn't an official ribnet recommendation bit some people might suggest that you get the radio (you don't need dsc, especially if a. You are always in a similar area and think through how to describe it and even less so if b. You have a GPS... it's nice to have, as is floating but some thin cord can stop it being lost) Then do the training at a later date when funds allow. The ownership license (and mmsi no) are free and don't require the operators certificate. Op cert only required for routine use, not in emergencies. Routine use will make you more confident in emergencies, but even a bad mayday is better than no mayday.

Good information from Poly

From the results posted by the Nautilus Lifeline manufacturer (A scuba divers radio) the small handheld VHF radio reached out about 3 miles with voice calling and 12 miles with DSC. To me that makes DSC far more desirable. I guess it depends how remote the boating location is.

[paul sparkes]

as a back up, a even a mobile phone with no signal can still call 112 in an emergency and can be located via satellite, handy to know!

http://www.europe-direct-stuttgart.d...2-flyer-en.pdf

[John Kennett]

No it can't [1] and no it can't.

[1] It can use any available network so may work even if you don't appear to have a signal though

[paul sparkes]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

No it can't [1] and no it can't.

[1] It can use any available network so may work even if you don't appear to have a signal though

i take it back then, i have recently been told by someone studying a nursing degree that it can be used when no signal is available.That is what she has been told by her lecturer anyway.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by paul sparkes

i take it back then, i have recently been told by someone studying a nursing degree that it can be used when no signal is available.That is what she has been told by her lecturer anyway.

And you didn't think - I wonder how that is possible?

As JK says if for example you are on O2 and there is no O2 coverage but there happens to be EE or Vodafone coverage you CAN use their network to make 999 or 112 calls [any UK bought phone will work with both]. They also can't be located "via satellite". No ordinary phone is able to send data to a satellite. Some phones could be configured to provide GPS data back via a data network (e.g. using "Find my iPhone") this isn't something routinely available to the emergency services. Further, data is usually the first part of the signal to be lost. It is possible (with quite a lot of effort) for the emergency services to try and identify a very rough location for a phone by checking which cell towers it can "see". This is MUCH harder and less accurate than VHF direction finding which is one of the reasons he coastguard discourage people from relying on a phone as the first means of calling for help at sea. In many cases (where you have a weak signal) your phone will only see one cell tower. With no obstructions in the way a phone can "see" towers many miles away. It wouldn't be impossible for this to leave the coasties with an area of 100 sq miles to search!

Just because someone is a lecturer doesn't mean they can't talk pish, or be misunderstood!

[John Kennett]

There's nothing magic about 112 either. It's exactly the same as 999 except it's a standard number across Europe.