Widely known for its CB radios, wireless-communications leader Midland Radio provided its Nautico 2 for testing.
![standard horizon hx300 lanyard standard horizon hx300 lanyard](https://s30384.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/0713-WALK-E-TALK.jpg)
Marine electronics icon Standard Horizon submitted three: the HX290, HX300, and HX400. Global communications-product manufacturer Icom supplied testers with two units, the M92D and M24.
![standard horizon hx300 lanyard standard horizon hx300 lanyard](https://www.stevestonmarine.com/image/cache//catalog/phase2/standard-radio-vhf-h-held-floatng-usb-hx300-69920-500x500.png)
Testers evaluated seven radios from leading marine electronics makers, but the field of finalists was narrowed to six. Like many of the VHFs in that test field, the HX850 has since been replaced by an improved model (HX851), and a completely new crop of handheld radios has hit the market. In the end, our favorites were the Standard Horizon HX280S for sailors on a budget and the Standard Horizon HX850S for those who wanted all the bells and whistles like GPS and Digital Selective Calling (DSC). In the April 2009 issue, we looked at budget-priced handhelds in June 2009, we reviewed their high-end counterparts and the December 2009 issue included a test update.
STANDARD HORIZON HX300 LANYARD FULL
Our last series of full tests of VHF handhelds was in 2009. Portability allows them to serve as the primary radio on smaller boats, as an emergency backup or secondary working unit to a fixed VHF, or even as a way to summon help during an unexpected swim. However, they have one big advantage over their mounted brethren: portability. Handheld VHF radios offer many of the features provided by fixed VHFs, but their lower antenna height and reduced transmit power means they have a shorter range (about 3 to 5 miles versus 10 to 15 miles for a fixed-mount VHF, or farther if theres a masthead antenna). VHF radios not only provide direct communication with search-and-rescue (SAR) agencies in the event of an emergency, but also enable other vessels in the area to hear a distress call and respond, potentially even faster than SAR agencies-thats something a cell or sat phone cannot do. While technologies like cellular and satellite phones have revolutionized onboard communication, they are still just supplements to the good-ole marine-band VHF radio.