Marine Radio?

[lungslicer]

Does anyone have any recommendations for what type of marine radio I should get for Lake of the Woods ice fishing? I am going to be spending most of my time in a small wheel house so I am leaning towards a handheld, but I do not know if it will have enough power to go back to the resorts. I primarily want it in case my dad gets sick during a storm and I can not get off the ice quickly with a truck. Emergencies mostly. Any info would be great. Thanks

[RebelSS]

I've had a Humminbird hand held VHF that's 8 years old. It's been WAY up north into Canada, all over Northern Minnesota, and rides in my boat cockpit wherever I'm soft water fishing. Love it...and it's taken a pounding without a whimper. Listen to it every day for weather. They no longer have this model, but the new updated VHF 55's are great units...two of my buddies run 'em. They have many, many nice features, including channel 10/16 emergency alerts, which I believe is what you are looking for. That's my .02 worth....

[slammer]

If you get a base unit, dont skimp on an antenna. Get a good 8ft one and buy a mount that you can fold down for traveling. Have seen this on alot of houses and looks like the way to go.

[CousinEddie]

If you're going to be more than a mile or so out, go with a base model with an 8' antenna opposed to a handheld. The handhelds do ok for weather info and as a backup but they're limited to 5 watt (6 on some models)broadcast vs 25 watt on a base unit. VHF operate on line of site broadcast so the higher the antenna, the better the range. On Lake Superior I can't hear anything from the handheld at dock once I'm a couple miles out. They can hear me for quite a bit further but it doesn't really do any good if it's a one sided conversation.

[jigginjim]

I had a boat mounted unit with a 3ft antenna. I could reach most of lake Mille lacs. Radio had 1-25 watt worked great. if you went with a 8ft antenna you should be able LOWs each. raymarine,is one type go to Cabelas in rogers see Jack he will point to a very good radio.