Recently, I have noticed how many vessels sailing the Sea of Cortez in Baja California, Mexico have neglected arguably the second most important piece of safety equipment on their boats while cruising. Second only to your brain, the VHF radio can be the most important device in saving your life. In almost every seaborne emergency your radio could save your boat or your life.

Your VHF radio should be checked regularly, connections inspected and cleaned and when in doubt – replace the whole darn thing. Pinched cables, corrosion, moisture and just plain time can take its toll on your radio. Even cleaning corrosion from the surface of the emitter antenna can make a significant difference in your radio’s health and output.

Your VHF radio transmits in basically, line of sight. Your radio’s unobstructed range should be easily 15-20 miles. The radio on my vessel is tuned and checked regularly and I have carried on conversations with similarly well tuned radios from my location in La Paz to their location near Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side and Agua Verde about 45 miles north in the Sea. It is also prudent to have an auxiliary antenna. A 6’ whip can be purchased for under $40. Most sailboats carry their antenna on the top of the mast. In the event of a de-masting, your communications ability will go overboard with the mast. DO NOT RELY ON A HANDHELD AS A BACKUP! All handhelds are a fraction of the power of a ship board VHF and may only broadcast a few miles. Transmitting n full power (3Watts vs: 25 for inboard models) a set of batteries may only last a few minutes, not adequate in the event of an emergency.

Test your radio on a non-working frequency with a friend or other radio operator. Check your range, clarity and modulation. Know how to use the radio, proper radio protecall and what to do if you are on the receiving end of an emergency call.

In Mexico a vessel over 7 meters is required to have a working VHF radio on board. Wiggle your mike cable while testing – the mike cable can be one of the most fragile parts of your radio. A broken mike cable can distort or break your conversation and be particularly frustrating and dangerous during an emergency.

If your radio does not pass muster – replace it, now. For less than $200 you can replace the entire system and enjoy a great degree of safety while navigating the Sea of Cortez. This makes your VHF not only one of the most important lifesaving devices on your vessel, but also one of the least expensive.