Best Handheld VHF Radio UK
Best Handheld VHF Radio UK — What to Buy and Why It Matters
A handheld VHF radio is the single most important additional piece of safety equipment after your fixed radio. If your vessel’s electrical system fails, if you go overboard and get separated from the boat, if the fixed set is damaged — a handheld VHF in a pocket or clipped to a lifejacket is what gets you rescued.
Here is what to look for and the honest top picks available in the UK right now.
What Makes a Good Handheld VHF?
6 watts output — the maximum for handheld VHFs. Always buy 6 watts. Do not buy 1 or 2 watt models — the range reduction is significant. 6 watts gives you the best chance of being heard.
DSC — Digital Selective Calling. As with fixed radios — mandatory. The distress button that sends your position automatically. Every modern handheld has it. Pair it with GPS and your position goes with the distress call.
Waterproofing — IPX7 minimum — submersible to 1 metre for 30 minutes. For any marine use this is the minimum standard. IPX8 is better. Check the rating before buying.
Floating — the best handheld VHFs float face-up with the antenna pointing upward, continuing to transmit even if dropped overboard. This is a genuine safety feature worth paying for.
Built-in GPS — for DSC distress alerts that automatically include your GPS position without needing to be connected to an external GPS source.
Battery life — at least 10 hours transmit/receive cycle on a charge. Carry a spare battery pack if heading offshore.
Our Recommended Handheld VHF Radios
Icom IC-M37E Handheld
Compact, submersible, and very straightforward to use. The Icom build quality makes this one of the most durable handhelds on the market. Buy the lanyard attachment and use it every time.
Standard Horizon HX320E VHF Radio
The best waterproof handheld I would recommend for a backup radio. Submersible to 1.5 metres, floats face up, built-in GPS and DSC, 6W output. Everything you need in a handheld format.
ICOM IC-M94 VHF With DCS & AIS
Best with AIS Receiver – For those wanting an AIS receiver in their handheld — the M94DE adds AIS vessel tracking to an already quality handheld. See nearby vessels with AIS transponders on the radio display. Float-equipped, GPS built-in, 6 watts. The feature-rich premium handheld option.
Standard Horizon HX40E
Best ultra compact – The smallest quality handheld VHF on the market. Pocketable, 5 watts, IPX7, DSC. Excellent as a backup radio or for crew members who want personal VHF capability without the bulk.
How to Use Your Handheld Effectively
Keep it on Channel 16 when underway — the international distress and calling channel. Hold it vertically with the antenna pointing upward for maximum range. Do not transmit from inside a metal superstructure — move to an unobstructed position for best range.
Charge it before every passage. A flat battery when you need it is not a situation you want.
FAQs
What is the range of a handheld VHF radio?
Typically 5 to 8 nautical miles surface to surface. From an elevated position — up a mast or on a clifftop — range increases significantly. Coastguard stations can receive handheld transmissions at much greater distances.
Do I need a licence for a handheld VHF?
Yes — a Ship Radio Licence for the vessel and a Short Range Certificate for each operator. Both are inexpensive and straightforward to obtain.
Can a handheld VHF replace a fixed radio?
No — a fixed radio with masthead antenna, full DSC, and 25 watts is significantly more capable. A handheld complements the fixed set as a backup and personal device, not a replacement.
Always carry a handheld VHF as a backup to your fixed radio on any offshore or coastal passage. marinesafetyguide.com participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates and may earn a small commission on purchases made through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.
