Jayp603 -- I have to concur with the above. We have both handhelds and a 25 W unit in the boat. The handhelds (because they are virtually "Line of Sight) are extremely handy for us but are used as a "secondary" device. For example - our 5W handhelds are barely audible in the background noise from Merideth NWZ to FL#1 which is strait line of sight. When you get a few islands in your path, forget it. On the otherhand, if your intent is to only "listen" a 5W will recieve most of the chatter ......... you just might not be able to get back to the boat xmitting, based on their location
We use it a lot for boat to boat conversation, when friends visit and they don't have a VHF we give them a portable ......... saves yelling back and forth between boats (hard to hear the portable when underway however).
Hope that helps
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A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!
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