foreign vhf radios

Jizm · 04 October 2002, 20:58

I am a bit naive on the subject, but will a vhf handheld radio from the states work in the uk with respect to frequencies etc?

I only ask as I have managed to source a Hummingbird VHF5 model for $72 (about £45!!!) from the web but don't know wether it will be of any use at all in this country.
Advice please!

regards
Jiz

jools · 04 October 2002, 21:07

There are 2 types of VHF band

International and USA (Because they like to be different!)

In the UK we use the international band and all radios (I think) in the UK that are sold can switch between the two bands (you might sail your yacht to the US for example)

Therefore as long as the radio you are buying can be set to use the international band then you will have no problem. (Nowmaly you hold a key in for 3 secs or something and it swaps from U to I and this is displayed in the screen)

Possibility I suppose that some US radios are US mode only

Jools

Jizm · 04 October 2002, 21:27

thanks jools, you were right and it is switchable between international and USA. Have just contacted them to see if they will ship it to england, fingers crossed!

Richard B · 04 October 2002, 21:57

I think there's three parts to the question:

1. Will it work?
2. Will it be legal?
3. If No.1 is yes but No.2 is no, will you get found out?

I've had a look at Humminbird's website, and you can download the manual to the VHF5 Marine Radio (I assume this is the one you're considering)

http://www.humminbird.com/Media/SupportPDFs/vhf5.pdf

It has US and international channels (but strangely not Canadian), so I guess that the answer to part one of the question is yes

There is, however, no mention of type approval, either FCC (US) or CE (European) so it looks as if the unit won't be type approved for the UK or Europe

But as to whether you'll get found out and thrown in prison (or put into Dave Mallett's stocks)... who knows?

Rich.

Jizm · 04 October 2002, 22:15

yes that is the one.

here is the link to the page on iboats website.

http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi...d%20held%20vhf

Richard B · 04 October 2002, 22:29

Ah, no rechargeable battery!

mccabe · 05 October 2002, 19:43

Hi
I purchased a Standard VHF with a rechargable type battery and it works fine but remember to buy a appliance to convert 220v/110v priced about $20.Buy two as mine burnt out after a year.Vhf prices vary but are around $170-$220.Makes sense to buy if travelling to US as I found postage adds to make it less
attractive.