
VHF Radios
- Fishfood
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:08 am
- Kayak Make: Stealth
- Kayak Model: Profisha 525
- VHF Call Sign: ZMX9388
- Location: Waipu
Afternoon Fishos, can anyone recomend an affordable VHF unit for kayak use? With prices ranging from just over a hundie to north of a grand, this paddler is confused. Obviously phrases like 'partialy submersable' are a bit of a clue, but what else should I be looking for?


- Hairy Little Dwarf
- Moderator
- Posts: 7133
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:39 am
- Kayak Make: Phoenix
- Kayak Model: Hornet
- VHF Call Sign: Red Dwarf
Based where you are, and assuming you only fish "coastal", then 3W will likely suffice, but upgrading to 5W will give you that boost when you need it.
Any unit rated IPx7, or IPx8 (forget any numbers that replace the 'x' - that's for dust). A drybag is recommended, but if you look after the kit well post-paddle, then not essential.
Floating units aren't really relevant for kayaking as it'll be tethered to your PFD.
What you do want :
Nice big display
Big fat buttons for cold, possibly panicky, fingers
Not so cumbersome you leave it behind as it's a pain.
DSC distress functions, at this point in time (as far as I am aware) NZ doesn't support this.
Factor in $30-$40 for a Coastguard VHF Operators certificate too, while anyone can use a VHF to broadcast a distress, it makes sense to know what the bod on the other end wants to know.
Avoid second hand until you know what you're looking for in terms of wear and tear.
I would suggest something like this as a minimum https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/handheld ... f-radio-3w
VHF always trumps cellphone when the excrement hits the air-shifter.
Any unit rated IPx7, or IPx8 (forget any numbers that replace the 'x' - that's for dust). A drybag is recommended, but if you look after the kit well post-paddle, then not essential.
Floating units aren't really relevant for kayaking as it'll be tethered to your PFD.
What you do want :
Nice big display
Big fat buttons for cold, possibly panicky, fingers
Not so cumbersome you leave it behind as it's a pain.
DSC distress functions, at this point in time (as far as I am aware) NZ doesn't support this.
Factor in $30-$40 for a Coastguard VHF Operators certificate too, while anyone can use a VHF to broadcast a distress, it makes sense to know what the bod on the other end wants to know.
Avoid second hand until you know what you're looking for in terms of wear and tear.
I would suggest something like this as a minimum https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/handheld ... f-radio-3w
VHF always trumps cellphone when the excrement hits the air-shifter.
Phoenix Hornet - Specialty Assault Craft
Dad! Dad! Look at his fish! It's way bigger than anything you've EVER caught! - Nosey 7-8yo boy on opening my icebox to father strapping down his $XXX Stabicraft 759(?) - Gold. Pure Gold.
Dad! Dad! Look at his fish! It's way bigger than anything you've EVER caught! - Nosey 7-8yo boy on opening my icebox to father strapping down his $XXX Stabicraft 759(?) - Gold. Pure Gold.
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- Posts: 541
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:27 am
- Kayak Make: SeaLand
- Kayak Model: Mac50L
- Location: Banks Peninsula
- Contact:
If you don't get a licence or do the course, this will give you some hints as to procedures -
https://canterburyseakayak.wordpress.com/documents/
Mayday and PanPan Call Format
https://canterburyseakayak.wordpress.co ... ll-format/
The most important thing to do, having removed your new radio from its box, is to switch it to the International setup. The options are UIC.
U is for use in the USA
C is for use in Canada
I is for use in the rest of the world, including New Zealand
If you don’t do this, on some channels you will not hear a reply to your call.
https://canterburyseakayak.wordpress.com/documents/
Mayday and PanPan Call Format
https://canterburyseakayak.wordpress.co ... ll-format/
The most important thing to do, having removed your new radio from its box, is to switch it to the International setup. The options are UIC.
U is for use in the USA
C is for use in Canada
I is for use in the rest of the world, including New Zealand
If you don’t do this, on some channels you will not hear a reply to your call.
- B0ydie
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 11:04 pm
- Kayak Make: stealth
- Kayak Model: Profisha 460
- VHF Call Sign: ZMW7673
marine deals have the below on special this week I have had an icon for the last 4 yrs no issues at all and really clear
https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/icom-ic- ... ekly+Deals
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/icom-ic- ... ekly+Deals
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Profish 400
- Hairy Little Dwarf
- Moderator
- Posts: 7133
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:39 am
- Kayak Make: Phoenix
- Kayak Model: Hornet
- VHF Call Sign: Red Dwarf
Didn't spot that one B0ydie
For sure, if you can grab an Icom you're getting a premium bit of kit.

For sure, if you can grab an Icom you're getting a premium bit of kit.
Phoenix Hornet - Specialty Assault Craft
Dad! Dad! Look at his fish! It's way bigger than anything you've EVER caught! - Nosey 7-8yo boy on opening my icebox to father strapping down his $XXX Stabicraft 759(?) - Gold. Pure Gold.
Dad! Dad! Look at his fish! It's way bigger than anything you've EVER caught! - Nosey 7-8yo boy on opening my icebox to father strapping down his $XXX Stabicraft 759(?) - Gold. Pure Gold.
- awondering
- Posts: 6637
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:47 am
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Viking PF400 Custom Black
- VHF Call Sign: ZMT8884
- Location: Auckland
- Contact:
It’s a very good unit, good Choice mate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
3 chicken livers, 1 half a newt and some charcoal mixed into your hair, then dance in ya birthday suit during the full moon

Ocean Kayak Prowler 4.1 Ultra
PB Snapper-68cm(12.5lbs) Waihau Bay 30/7/20
PB Kingfish -113cm(26.5lbs) Port Charles 27/2/20
He that would fish, must venture his bait.
PB Snapper-68cm(12.5lbs) Waihau Bay 30/7/20
PB Kingfish -113cm(26.5lbs) Port Charles 27/2/20
- Fishfood
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:08 am
- Kayak Make: Stealth
- Kayak Model: Profisha 525
- VHF Call Sign: ZMX9388
- Location: Waipu
Shiny new wireless has arrived in the post. FYI Coastgaurd course for Maritime VHF Radio Cerificate is $90 for the online course or $125 for the 6 hour classroom option.
- awondering
- Posts: 6637
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:47 am
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: Viking PF400 Custom Black
- VHF Call Sign: ZMT8884
- Location: Auckland
- Contact:
Good onya for doing it mate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Hairy Little Dwarf
- Moderator
- Posts: 7133
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:39 am
- Kayak Make: Phoenix
- Kayak Model: Hornet
- VHF Call Sign: Red Dwarf
Jaysus that's gone up in the last couple of years!
Phoenix Hornet - Specialty Assault Craft
Dad! Dad! Look at his fish! It's way bigger than anything you've EVER caught! - Nosey 7-8yo boy on opening my icebox to father strapping down his $XXX Stabicraft 759(?) - Gold. Pure Gold.
Dad! Dad! Look at his fish! It's way bigger than anything you've EVER caught! - Nosey 7-8yo boy on opening my icebox to father strapping down his $XXX Stabicraft 759(?) - Gold. Pure Gold.
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- Posts: 44
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 6:30 pm
- Kayak Make: Ocean Kayak
- Kayak Model: Trident 4.3 Ultra
- Location: Wellington
Yea crap that's gone up big time.
I think I did it 18months ago, I'm sure it was around $50ish.
I think I did it 18months ago, I'm sure it was around $50ish.
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- Posts: 1595
- Joined: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:11 pm
- Kayak Make: Hobie
- Kayak Model: Outback 2019
- VHF Call Sign: ZMU5052
- Location: West Auckland
I sat the course as part of the Boatmaster cert. around 1994 ish. Can’t remember the price. There was no “ pan pan “ that I remember, maybe I should do a refresher. But I need the money for another kayak.Hairy Little Dwarf wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:09 pmJaysus that's gone up in the last couple of years!
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- Posts: 592
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:13 pm
- Kayak Make: Viking
- Kayak Model: PRO 400 LITE
- VHF Call Sign: ZMQ4712
There has always been a Pan Pan. Used for urgent message when lives or vessels are not in immediate danger. Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan Pan ! It would seem you do need to do that refresher course. Hard to believe one would forget the three most important words at sea.. MAYDAY...PAN PAN... SECURITE..dedant wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:08 amI sat the course as part of the Boatmaster cert. around 1994 ish. Can’t remember the price. There was no “ pan pan “ that I remember, maybe I should do a refresher. But I need the money for another kayak.Hairy Little Dwarf wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2019 6:09 pmJaysus that's gone up in the last couple of years!
