Updated on 13 August 2026. A fixed VHF, a handheld VHF and an AIS are not three variants of the same device. The fixed VHF is the boat’s primary station, the handheld provides mobility and redundancy, while the AIS is used to receive or transmit identification and movement data between equipped vessels.
The short answer
Choose first based on the navigation area and regulations, then according to the boat’s installation. For semi-offshore sailing, beyond 6 nautical miles and up to 60 nautical miles from a harbor, French Division 240 requires a compliant fixed VHF installation. A handheld remains useful in the cockpit, tender or as a backup, but it does not automatically replace the required fixed installation. The AIS can be integrated into the VHF or separate; check whether it is a simple AIS receiver or a full transponder.
What French regulations say
The French Ministry of the Sea defines four equipment sets based on distance from a harbor: basic within 2 nautical miles, coastal from 2 to 6 nautical miles, semi-offshore beyond 6 up to 60 nautical miles, and offshore beyond. Its official page states that a fixed VHF installation must be carried in semi-offshore equipment. The skipper must verify the applicable text, the actual zone sailed and any flag-state rules.
The radio must also be administratively compliant. The ANFR issues the station license and identifiers, including the MMSI when the equipment uses ASN. In French waters, using a fixed or handheld VHF with ASN requires at least the maritime pleasure craft license or the CRR; abroad, the ANFR indicates that an operator certificate at least equivalent to the CRR is required. Consult ANFR’s CRR rules and keep the license aboard.
Fixed VHF or handheld?
| Equipment | Role | Points to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed VHF | Primary station, external antenna, ASN depending on model | Power supply, antenna, coaxial cable, GPS, MMSI and remote handset |
| Handheld VHF | Mobile use and redundancy | ASN or not, GPS, buoyancy, waterproofing, battery life and charging |
| AIS receiver | Displays ships that transmit | Output to display, network, antenna and filtering |
| AIS transponder | Receives and transmits the boat’s data | Class, power, GPS, antenna, programming and usage rules |
AIS-RX is not AIS-TX
A label “AIS” on a VHF may refer only to reception. In that case the boat sees AIS targets but does not transmit its own position. To be visible to other AIS receivers, a suitable transponder must be installed, correctly programmed and set up. Also check how targets will be displayed: radio display, compatible chartplotter, NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183 or dedicated app.
Range depends mainly on installation
Marine VHF works primarily line-of-sight. The height of the antennas at both ends, clearance, coaxial quality, connectors and antenna condition have a direct effect. A single commercial range cannot be promised for all situations. On a sailboat, a masthead antenna improves range but requires cable and connectors chosen to minimize losses and withstand the marine environment.
Pre-purchase checklist
- navigation area and regulatory equipment set;
- fixed VHF, handheld or both;
- ASN/DSC, built-in GPS or external GPS source;
- AIS receiver or AIS transponder;
- NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 network available;
- dedicated VHF antenna or officially compatible sharing device;
- remote handset, speaker and control location;
- license, MMSI and operator competence.
What the VHF does not replace
The VHF, AIS, EPIRB and personal locating devices have different functions. A VHF allows direct communication and ASN alerts when configured and within range; it does not replace the EPIRB required in offshore equipment sets. Build a coherent safety chain instead of ranking these devices by importance.
Primary sources: French Ministry of the Sea, Division 240 and safety equipment; ANFR, CRR; ANFR, maritime radio FAQ.
