introduction

Introduction: My name is Stephen. I am new to kayaking and have not fished in a long time. Looking forward to meeting some of you and learning how to safely fish in the ocean from a kayak. Still not fully equipted. I have a Trident 15. I am looking for a VHF radio. Has anyone used a Standard Horizon Model: HX870 and how to you like it? Thanks.

Welcome, Stephen. 

Welcome to NCKA.  Not familiar with that radio but any is better than none. 

Welcome to NCKA Stephen    I have several models made by Standard Horizon included the HX870 and they all work fine for me.

Welcome to NCKA.   

Welcome to the madness!

Welcome!
I am near you in Woodland

Thanks, everyone, for the  welcomes and the radio information  replies. I am still trying to learn my way around this forum. Not sure how to communicate to any particular individual.   

Thanks, everyone, for the  welcomes and the radio information  replies. I am still trying to learn my way around this forum. Not sure how to communicate to any particular individual.   

To respond publicly to what someone said as I'm doing now, you can click the 'quote' link just above and on the right side of the text of their post.

To send a private message, you can click the speech bubble just above the quote button.

Regarding the HX870, one thing to keep in mind is that it doesn't float like the HX300, so you'll want to make sure it's tethered.

While on safety, it's worth investing in a decent PFD. I got a basic used one for $25 and while it certainly works, I wish I had spend a bit more for a more comfortable 'high back' PFD with a few more pockets. As it is now, the seat back on my 'yak makes the PFD ride up which can be more than a little annoying.

Since you're interested in eventually getting on the ocean, it's especially important to learn and practice self-rescue. Every kayaker should know how to self rescue regardless of saltwater or freshwater, but the ocean is a whole different ball game from calm lakes and the like. The youtube link below has a good overview of the fundamentals. Watch it and go out to a shallow lake on a calm day with a friend and practice until it's second nature.

is a good video