Very Helpful Feature - VHF radio

With all of the savvy technology that exists on boats today, it is easy to overlook that the most reliable communication tool on your vessel is your VHF radio.

- JEFF MERRILL

VHF stands for Very High Frequency (not the title, very helpful feature). Marine VHF radios have been around for decades — Wikipedia reports twelve coastal stations in New England around 1920. They are simple and designed for easy operation. There aren’t many other 100-year-old technologies still as important. The original magic that allows us to talk between boats miles apart using the airwaves — not connected by wires or cables — is still an unbelievable illusion to me. The fact that it works is pretty cool.

If you were born before the 1960s (like the author), you may remember the old days of the party line telephone — no privacy, you picked up your home phone and if someone else was on the line you had to wait your turn so you didn’t interrupt the call in progress. VHF has a similar social component and is truly one of the first commonly used mobile communication devices. Like the party line, however, everyone in range can listen in to your conversation when you are on the air. For the uninitiated, and until you are familiar with the basics, it can be a bit intimidating. Many novices get “stage fright” and don’t want to click the mic. There is no mystery, this is truly a very simple and easy-to-use device.

The sound signal transmitted through the airwaves has a range based on the height of the antenna. In theory, you can be heard through any other VHF unit within that same line of sight range. Most boats that I’m on have a communication range of about 16 miles. This range is influenced by what type of equipment you are using, who you are connecting with, settings, antenna height, and local atmospheric conditions.