NAUTICAL WALKIE-TALKIES

A modern handheld VHF radio can make time afloat better and safer

- DAVID SCHMIDT

MY FRIEND RECENTLY POSITED that if forced to choose, he'd rather lose his wallet than his iPhone.  After pondering, I had to agree. Communication is key everywhere, and, at least ashore, the smartphone has become the most important nexus of modern culture's holy trinity (wallet, phone, keys). On board, however, the argument changes, especially when cruising outside of cellular coverage. At that point, the VHF radio and its ability to communicate with multiple nearby vessels and shore stations juggernauts its technology to the top of the importance pyramid. While there's no question that a fixed-mount VHF radio is a must-have for every helm, few electronic tools are a better universal fit than a reliable and fully featured handheld.

POSITIVELY BUOYANT

The first floating handheld VHF radio didn't arrive until 2007. Today, virtually all good handhelds are buoyant, and many are designed to flash or otherwise attract attention if they hit the drink.