Marine radio vs cell phone

[MILLERMANKT]

How many of you have a marine radio plus your cell phone ?  I've never really had a problem with my cell phone , just wondering if you more experienced guys recommend a mariner radio. I'm hoping to get out more on Erie and Ontario. And is a hand held or mounted advised ? Thank you for any advice

[taxid]

Doesn't a Marine Radio also give you weather reports and alerts? Maybe an advantage over cell phones? OTOH todays cell phones probably do that too? I assume although I do not have a cell phone.

[Mac Attack]

both
rarely if ever use the VHF these days.
bridges and locks is when you need a VHF...........for the present.

[SeanP]

I have both,  I use my boat in saltwater as well so many times there is no cell service.  In the great lakes and finger lakes, the State Police monitor the radio.

SeanP

[modeler]

I use both, cell phones are nice but you can only call one person at a time. With a radio you can broadcast to a lot of people at once

[trapper2000]

lots of places on water  there is  no service .....i  don't  use a boat  big enough to worry about and   going threw the  locks most  people  do call ahead with the cell phones  now

[Old Timer]

Mounted marine radios don’t fall overboard…

[trapper2000]

funny you say that i dropped mine  and  broke  it yesterday

[finsntins]

if you are going to fish erie or ontario,you should have a fixed mount vhf radio and 8' antenna.dont waste your money on a portable radio as they are pretty much useless with only being able to transmit at 5 watts and short antenna.as stated above there are dead spots for cell service out there and if you ever did have an emergency and dialed 911,there could be anywhere from 5-10 minute delay in help being called due to the call having to be transfered between different agencies.uniden makes a decent radio that is fairly priced.you will want to make sure you get one with a programable scan feature,.also i like to have one with the noaa emergency alert mode that will sound an alarm if any weather warnings are issued.

[filetandrelease]

 I have both

[Mac Attack]

if you are going to fish erie or ontario,you should have a fixed mount vhf radio and 8' antenna.dont waste your money on a portable radio as they are pretty much useless with only being able to transmit at 5 watts and short antenna.as stated above there are dead spots for cell service out there and if you ever did have an emergency and dialed 911,there could be anywhere from 5-10 minute delay in help being called due to the call having to be transfered between different agencies.uniden makes a decent radio that is fairly priced.you will want to make sure you get one with a programable scan feature,.also i like to have one with the noaa emergency alert mode that will sound an alarm if any weather warnings are issued.

I fish both Erie and Ontario and never have trouble getting a cell signal out on the lakes.

[trapper2000]

because your  cool mac .......now get fishing

[taxid]

because your  cool mac .......now get fishing

 

[skinny40]

As soon as I get near either lake I lose signal or my phone says welcome to Canada.... international rates apply. Lol so basically useless out there for help. On a plus side when I finally do get time to get out there nobody can call and bug me. Hopefully I can loose cell signal out there soon and do better on the browns and perch this spring. Last year was not good for me. Who's ready for spring?

[lowaccord66]

Both and adding a epirb this season as my nautical adventures are starting to take me 50-80 miles from shore.  Vhf required to get bridges to open when I am accessing some spots.