VHS radio vs. two way radio: Whats the difference

[notime]

What is the difference between a VHS handheld radio and say a motorola two way radio?

[SamRiley]

As I understand it, the frequencies used on the two ways are not monitored by the CG. There may be some that can use 9 and 16 but I am not aware of any.

[KayakerStan]

With a VHF your able to contact either the Coast Guard,Harbor Patrol or Bay Constable if you or anyone else runs into trouble while out on the water. Your not able to do that on 2 way radios it's a different frequency.

[mcattardo]

I haven't had a 2 way last for very long, so much for weather resistant. A drybag should help that. The only people I've heard on them are the guys that launched with me. They can be handy for close range chit chat & can be used on land. Frs has a limited range. Gmrs is supposed to have a longer range, but you're required to get a license for those channels.

IMHO vhf's are the way to go, especially for emergency purposes. They have a better range then frs. It's illegal to use 1 on land. I just bought a vhf handheld that includes frs frequencies, along with a bunch of other bells & whistles.

[Bob Parsons]

It's illegal to use 1 on land
Interesting,
does that make all the pump stations, private marinas, bridge operaters, and land based harbormasters operating outside the law?

Or is it illegal to use them for non marine based shore to shore communication ie walkie talkies?

[FishinFromShore]

The previous posters are right-on. The simple answer is that the two types of radios broadcast on different ranges of frequencies - like AM and FM radio stations. VHF frequencies are set aside specifically for maritime-related communications. FCC Frequency Allocations (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.html) Channel 16 is the Coast Guard distress frequency. Vessels are required to monitor this channel - this is not for routine communications - it's essentially the maritime version of 9-1-1. VHF's operate on a line-of sight basis. Essentially, the top of your antenna needs to be able to see the antenna of the receiving station. I've had numerous occassions where my body got between my handheld and the person to whom I was talking and I lost communication. VHF's are teh best and quickest way to communicate with other boaters (and yacht club launches, harbor masters, etc.)

The commercially available 2-way radios are better for communication within a group who has decided on using a certain channel. They are not line-of sight and often have longer ranges in the right conditions. They, however, should not be relied upon for emergency use. There's no guarantee that someone will be listening. If you do get someone, it might easilly be some kids playing army in their back yard or a family camping on some island.

IMHO - buy a good quality SUBMERSIBLE hyandheld VHF (I'd recommend iCom) and if you still want a little 2-way, go for that too. They're not that expensive - and you can also use them to keep track of the family at Disney!

[mcattardo]

Interesting,
does that make all the pump stations, private marinas, bridge operaters, and land based harbormasters operating outside the law?

Or is it illegal to use them for non marine based shore to shore communication ie walkie talkies?

I'm a bit rusty on the subject, but, I beleive they need to be licensed to start. Shore to shore is a no-no.
If you have a boat on a trailer with a vhf, you're not supposed to transmit from it.

[FishinFromShore]

VHF Marine Channel Allocations (http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/vhfchanl.html)