Rebuilding my VHF system

[sully75]

Hello All,

My 2nd post in two days. Hope that's ok.

I have a Standard Horizon VHF. I ended up using a handheld for most of last summer, and never got good reception with the Standard Horizon. I'm replacing the mast this year (long story), so I'm pondering putting in a new system from scratch.

I think I saw Maine Sail mention the older version of this unit in a video:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|2028693|2207355&id=2198982

I'm thinking about going with that (pending money...) I'm sailing North from Boston this summer, so the foghorn would very handy. I'd also like to add AIS. I'm not sure the advantages/disadvantes of having this integrated with the VHF...is there any advantage to having a free standing unit? It's not likely that I would be able to get it tied into my chart plotter at this point (and I'm pondering replacing that in the medium short term too).

For the foghorn, would you use a speaker on the mast somewhere, like a PA horn? Or stereo speakers from the boat?

Also...what antenna would work well? This will be for a combination of coastal and offshore cruising, with some somewhat ambitious offshore passages a possibility for the future.

Money is an object in all regards.

Thanks for your thoughts...

 

[IStream]

Love the integrated units

I think the new, fully integrated VHF systems like the Standard GX2200 with built-in GPS and AIS are a very safe and cost-effective way to go. Everything you need to communicate with nearby AIS-equipped traffic and/or send a distress signal with location info is integrated into the unit with no possibility of missing info due to a failure of (or just forgetting to turn on) your separate GPS, or AIS components, not to mention disablement of the NMEA network itself.

 

[Jimk]

If the Standard Horizon works at all your problem is likely the antenna and/or the cable from the antenna to the radio. When you replace the mast install a new VHF antenna and cable. Use a high quality marine COAX direct from antenna to radio (no splices) and high quality connectors. Solder the shield to the connectors according to manufactures specs.

One antenna input is all that is required; the GX2200 utilizes the VHF antenna to receive VHF signal and targets from ships with AIS class A or B transponders. The GPS signal comes from you existing GPS antenna.

Consider installing the old radio at the helm using a separate antenna so you have a backup.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Having the new radio below with all its bells & whistles will do you little good if you ever singlehand.

The inclusion of both AIS and a GPS in a radio is soooo waaaay overdue it's silly, but you can understand the marketing gurus saying: "Why place all these fancy things in one box if we can still sell 'em separately?" It's a great idea to combine them, IF you can find a good place in the cockpit for them, 'cuz that's where you'll need it WHEN you do need it.

It has been pointed out by many that the AIS on a small VHF screen is pretty limiting. I've seen AIS combined with a good sized chartplotter on a swing out bracket in the companionway. So far, still seems like the best display method, although it still requires cobbling together a few parts with wiring, which is a real PITA.

A little "reverse engineering" would sure go a long way. How about a chartplotter (by definition a GPS) with built-in AIS overlays with a built-in VHF? I think they got it backwards by trying to put AIS and GPS into a blinkin' radio!

 

[IStream]

No doubt this was originally a technological issue that ultimately turned into a marketing issue that persists to this day. I also agree that trying to track AIS targets on a dinky VHF screen is way worse than doing it on a chartplotter. That said, if I had to pick the first three technologies to integrate, it'd be AIS, GPS, and VHF because these three are symbiotic for the most effective ship-to-ship and distress communication scenarios. Putting AIS in the chartplotter rather than the VHF trades what I consider the "have to have" benefit to the VHF for the "nice to have" benefit of clearer target tracking on the plotter but makes the distress-related VHF functions less robust.

 

[Hello Below]

Sully, if an AIS is in the cards then Stu is definitely on to something. You may want to tell us what chartplotter you currently have fitted. This may influence which VHF is recommended. Trying to make any sense out of AIS data from a VHF radio screen is the royal pits. Also a RAM (remote access mic) may be a thought.

 

[sully75]

Hi all,

I think the chart plotter is a Lowrance HDS-5m the older version. I'm not near the boat to check. It's ok and I won't likely have money to replace it this year, but it's pretty clunky to use. I'm hoping to sail to Newfounland/Labrador this summer and I'm not sure what the affordable solution to getting Canadian charts on there is (can I get CM93 to load on it)?

I agree with the above point, it seems a GPS/VHF/Chartplotter would be a good solution.

Stu, I will be singlehanding most likely. Why would having all the stuff in one unit be less helpful for a singlehander?

I do have a ram mic from my old Standard Horizon unit. I wonder if that will work with the newer unit?

Any antenna recommendations?

Thanks
Paul

 

[sully75]

Stu, still wondering about what you said re: singlehanding and the VHF/AIS combination.

I'd still like a good antenna recommendation if anyone had one.

Thanks
Paul

 

[woodster]

I'd still like a good antenna recommendation if anyone had one.

Thanks
Paul

if you are talking about vhf antenna ....Mitz is a good one.......

regards

woody

 

[Stu Jackson]

Ais & Vhf

Stu, still wondering about what you said re: singlehanding and the VHF/AIS combination.

Paul, my point was this: most "base" (non-handheld) VHF radios are installed below decks. Most AIS capable VHF radios are base units, therefore would be expected to be installed below decks. If you're singlehanding, it would not be wise to have to go down below to look at the AIS.

 

[kito]

I haven't installed them yet but I got a SH GX2150 VHF with AIS that will be wired to my SH CPF190i chartplotter. All info will be shown on the larger chartplotters screen.

 

[sully75]

If you were thinking that at some point you'd like integrated ais GPS VHF and a chartplotterwhich way would you go? Garmin + sh VHF?

 

[Maine Sail]

If you were thinking that at some point you'd like integrated ais GPS VHF and a chartplotterwhich way would you go? Garmin + sh VHF?

As long as the plotter still has NEMA 0183 this works fine...

 

[SVTatia]

...When you replace the mast install a new VHF antenna and cable. Use a high quality marine COAX...

On another thread I posted the cable question:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=156360