Kayak anglers fishing beyond the surf line have real reasons to carry a VHF that a car angler doesn’t — no engine, lower profile in the water, and often further from immediate help. Here’s what to look for.
Floating and waterproof are non-negotiable
A capsize or dropped radio shouldn’t mean losing your only means of calling for help. Both the Cobra MR HH600 FLT BT and Uniden MHS75 float and are fully submersible — genuinely tested features, not just marketing claims.
Size and one-handed operation
You’ll often be operating a VHF one-handed while managing a paddle or rod with the other — look for large, glove-friendly buttons and a compact size that fits a PFD pocket without snagging.
Battery life
A full-day kayak session with no shore access to recharge means battery life matters more than it does for boat anglers who can run off the house battery. Check the rated hours on standby vs active transmission before you buy.
Standard Horizon and Uniden both build reliable, well-regarded marine VHF radios, but they sit at different points in the market — Uniden’s MHS75 is a budget handheld, while Standard Horizon’s GX range covers both fixed and handheld with more advanced features.
Uniden MHS75 Handheld Submersible VHF Marine Radio
Standard Horizon GX1850 Fixed Mount VHF Radio
Price
£68.99
£229.99
Type
Handheld
Fixed mount
Power output
Handheld-class (lower power)
25W fixed-class
The Uniden MHS75 Handheld Submersible VHF Marine Radio is a genuinely capable budget handheld — submersible, straightforward to operate, and a sensible backup radio or primary unit for a small tender at £68.99.
Choose Uniden for an affordable backup handheld or a simple primary radio for a small boat or tender.
Choose Standard Horizon for a fixed-mount primary radio with longer range, or if you want AIS traffic display built in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a handheld enough as my only VHF radio? For small boats and tenders, yes. For anything with a helm and mast, a fixed mount radio gives significantly better range and should be the primary unit.
Does the Uniden MHS75 float? Check the specific model’s buoyancy rating on the product listing — not all budget handhelds float, unlike dedicated floating models such as the Cobra MR HH600.
Is AIS worth the extra cost on a Standard Horizon unit? If you cruise near commercial shipping or in reduced visibility, yes — it adds genuine situational awareness beyond voice communication.
Still deciding between a handheld and fixed VHF setup? Our team can advise — browse the full range in our online shop.
A VHF radio is essential safety kit for anything beyond very sheltered inland waters — it’s how you raise the coastguard, get weather and traffic updates, and communicate with other vessels when a mobile phone has no signal. Here’s how to choose between fixed and handheld, and which units we’d recommend.
Best Handheld Upgrade: Cobra MR HH600 FLT BT Floating Handheld VHF Radio
The Cobra MR HH600 FLT BT Floating Handheld VHF Radio (£149.99) floats if dropped overboard and adds Bluetooth connectivity for wireless calling and music through the radio — a genuinely useful upgrade over a basic handheld for the same rough price bracket as some fixed units.
Best Fixed Mount: Standard Horizon GX1850 Fixed Mount VHF Radio and Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix AIS Fixed Mount VHF Radio
Fixed mount radios transmit at higher power and connect to a proper external antenna, giving significantly longer range than a handheld. The Standard Horizon GX1850 Fixed Mount VHF Radio (£229.99) covers the essentials, while the Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix AIS Fixed Mount VHF Radio (£344.99) adds a built-in AIS receiver — see other vessels’ positions directly on the radio’s display, genuinely useful in busy UK shipping lanes.
Fixed vs Handheld: Which Do You Need?
Fixed mount: higher power output (typically 25W vs 5-6W handheld), longer range, connects to a proper masthead antenna — the primary radio for any boat with a helm.
Handheld: essential backup if the fixed unit fails or you lose power, and the primary option for kayaks, tenders and small craft with no fixed installation.
AIS receiver: worth having on busier waters or if you cruise near shipping lanes — shows nearby vessel positions directly on the radio.
Most boats benefit from both — a fixed radio at the helm plus a handheld as backup or for the tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence for a marine VHF radio in the UK? Yes — you need a Ship Radio Licence for the vessel and a Short Range Certificate (SRC) to operate the radio.
What’s the range of a handheld VHF? Typically a few miles depending on terrain and antenna height, versus 20+ miles for a fixed mount unit with a properly installed antenna.
Is AIS worth paying extra for? If you regularly cruise near commercial shipping lanes or in poor visibility, yes — it’s a genuine collision-avoidance aid.
Not sure which VHF setup suits your boat? Our team can advise on fixed vs handheld and antenna requirements — browse the full range in our online shop.
