VHF Radios on lakes

Does anyone use VHF radios on inland lakes? I know VHF works via line-of-sight, but does that mean you can't pick up a signal at all if there is any terrain between two units? Lake Mead is a huge lake and while I don't need to communicate clear across the lake, I would like to have the nearby marinas and other boats accessible in nearby coves.

Does anyone have experience communicating over terrain with VHF?

Thanks.

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Vegasvec
2015 Pro Angler 17t
Lowrance Elite 5 Chirp
Zieman Trailer w/ Cradles

It depends on the terrain and to a lesser degree, the transmission power of your radio. You get get the optimum distance over a featureless area like open water. More terrain features, less distance.

We use VHF radios in heavily forested, mountainous areas, but the range is limited by terrain. With these conditions, a mile or two is about all you're going to get.

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Waterman at Work - Kayak Fishing Photos, Video,Kayak Rigging - Blog

I used these radios with my soon to be 10-year-old son:



http://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/ ... os_general

However, they only float if they have the manufacturer's rechargeable battery pack in them. If you put regular AA batteries in them, they will sink.

I hate the rechargeable batteries. So I use regular AA batteries and have attached a float to the radios.

If you use a headset with them; they will not be waterproof. The receptacle for the headset must be covered in order for it to stay waterproof.

I tested them by dunking them in a bucket of water. They are, indeed, waterproof. However, you must blow the water out of the holes where the speaker is. Unless you do that, you will not be able to hear any of the transmissions from the other radio.

IMHO they work great for the price. Getting a 10-year-old boy to use them properly is another story.