Handheld VHF

[melkal]

Does anyone know of a Manufacturer that makes a quality handheld vhf radio that uses a rotary control knob for the channel selector instead of the up/down arrows. Everything I see in a new radio seems to use the up/down arrows.

 

[sugilbert]

Seems to me that waterproofing is 'Job 1' in a handheld. Membranes are for more waterproof than a shaft & knob.

If it were me, I'd go with an Icom or Standard Horizon only.

 

[Radioactive]

What Steve sez, plus a membrane key is enormously cheaper than a mechanical switch. ( even if it is just an optical encoder ). In short, they don't use the rotary knobs any more because they can't be effectively waterproofed, the switch costs too much, and it is more expensive to mount the knob. It is all done on printed circuits and in software now. Way cheaper and more reliable.

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Yes. I miss the knobs, too.

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ditto on Icom and Standard Horizon.

 

[mixman]

I have a Standard Horizon and just looked at their current models. It seems they mainly have rotary on/off/volume controls. Why mix the two (membrane and mechanical)?

 

[dancerscap]

It doesn't have a knob, but my preference is the Standard Horizon HX851. It is a good, heavy duty handheld that is DSC ready with a built in GPS that can be tied to your dash mounted radio, it floats, has a glow in the dark gasket and is obviously water proof. I carry one in a plastic bag in my bc pocket when I go diving in case the boat gets away from me. They are all in one so they also make a great addition to a ditch bag. $0.02

 

[Radioactive]

"Why mix the two"

I can't answer for the mfgr's engineers, but I would suspect one or both of the following:

User acceptance

channel selection is under software control, whereas volume is not.

( Also, from a deep into the circuit view, maybe they ran out of pins on the cheaper microcontroller. Hard to say. MAny different reasons likely influenced the decision. )

 

[Stephen]

Why not buy the one you want but keep it stored in a waterproof VHF bag? Some bags are pretty nice with a zipper and a hanging line. The trouble is you may not use the bag all the time because it won't be as convenient to use the radio, and of course that's when you'll drop it.

 

[caltexfla]

Ergonomically, you tend to set volume once, and if you inadvertently hit the volume knob it is no big deal. It is easier to use buttons with one hand, and more importantly it is more difficult to inadvertently switch the channel when you don't want to as it would be with a knob. Ergonomics are a very personal thing, but overall, I think the volume knob/ push button channel set up works best for me and the way I use the radio (often times switching between hailing and working channels). I personally wouldn't want a knob channel selector on a hand held.

George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport
Icom M88 handheld VHF

 

[mixman]

I think George nailed it. I hate setting the volume with the buttons on my RAM (remote) mic for my mounted SH VHF. But there's nothing to using the knob on the handheld (I keep the handheld mounted at the helm too).

 

[melkal]

Does anyone know of a Manufacturer that makes a quality handheld vhf radio that uses a rotary control knob for the channel selector instead of the up/down arrows.

I appreciate all of the responses, and the discussion, but I find much easier to twirl the knob from a calling channel to a working channel and back. That is my preference, I still use a older ICOM M1 and have a Standard HS280, but I grab the M1 every time. IT happens to be smaller to fit in a pocket when going ashore, and I find it easier to use, and since I don'get it wet, I have never had a problem. When I use it in a dinghy excursion, I do put it in a zip lock.

Surely waterpoofing is not the reason though, the volume knob is rotary on most radios now and that works ok and they find a way to keep it dry. The new fixed mount radios that select channels by a rotary knob are not turning a bunch of mechanical stuff anyway. I have both ICOM and Standard fixed radios as well, and I was able to purchase rotary knobs on the better models. Again, my preference.

SO, I guess the answer is no, no one makes the rotary channel knob anymore on handhelds for whatever reason.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[Stephen]

Hey Melkal, even though they may not be available in a store, you should find many replacements available on Ebay. You'll probably even find a lot of NOS listed.