I'm getting ready to replace my aging Fixed mount VHF and would like to understand whether there's any technical differences other than the DSC option between the 25w VHF models such as Uniden Solaris for example or some of the lower priced ICOM models. Ultimately, other than features, what should I look in a fixed mount VHF?
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Try West Marine Advisor
Tony, like this one: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/howtofixedvhf.htm
Tony, like this one: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/howtofixedvhf.htm
VHF
Tony, Pretty sure I'm right on this. All fixed mount VHF radios that I have seen are 25watt max. That is the legal max far as I know. Most if not all have a low power setting for in harbor use. Other than brand preferance/reputation and the various bells and whistles there is no other different.
Tony, Pretty sure I'm right on this. All fixed mount VHF radios that I have seen are 25watt max. That is the legal max far as I know. Most if not all have a low power setting for in harbor use. Other than brand preferance/reputation and the various bells and whistles there is no other different.
Check features
I replaced the factory VHF with a Uniden Polaris plus a WAAM (hand held unit) for the cockpit. The VHF has a lot more features including DSC but the one I didn't realize until I had installed it was a much better speaker and volume control. The old unit's speaker was no where near as clear and loud. Good luck picking one out of all the available.
I replaced the factory VHF with a Uniden Polaris plus a WAAM (hand held unit) for the cockpit. The VHF has a lot more features including DSC but the one I didn't realize until I had installed it was a much better speaker and volume control. The old unit's speaker was no where near as clear and loud. Good luck picking one out of all the available.
The West tutorial listed by Stu
is pretty well done, IMHO, and well worth reading. For my part, what I'm looking for in a fixed VHF is reliability and ruggedness. For that, I chose a mid-priced ICOM and it has worked out well. While I was not particularly interested in having a remote capability, my radio has that. In looking into the cost of adding a remote cockpit mike, it turned out that I could buy a Uniden hand-held for less money than the remote, and it would provide more flexibility. Granted, the hand-held max output is 5 watts, but I've found that more than adequate for where and how I sail. As it turns out, the low power 1 watt setting is the one I mostly use. I found that if I really needed more than the 5 watts, I was not in a situation that would prevent me from going into the cabin and using the fixed mount radio. In my case, I find having the hand-held VHF to far more useful than a remote mike would be in that I can use it anywhere on the boat, in the dinghy, and so forth. While my ICOM is DSC capable, I have not hooked it up to my GPS as I cannot foresee a need to do so -- and it would be a cumbersome wiring job to boot. If I were making some offshore passages, or even extended coastal cruises, I probably would make the connection. I'd be curious to know how many others have connected their VHF to their GPS?
is pretty well done, IMHO, and well worth reading. For my part, what I'm looking for in a fixed VHF is reliability and ruggedness. For that, I chose a mid-priced ICOM and it has worked out well. While I was not particularly interested in having a remote capability, my radio has that. In looking into the cost of adding a remote cockpit mike, it turned out that I could buy a Uniden hand-held for less money than the remote, and it would provide more flexibility. Granted, the hand-held max output is 5 watts, but I've found that more than adequate for where and how I sail. As it turns out, the low power 1 watt setting is the one I mostly use. I found that if I really needed more than the 5 watts, I was not in a situation that would prevent me from going into the cabin and using the fixed mount radio. In my case, I find having the hand-held VHF to far more useful than a remote mike would be in that I can use it anywhere on the boat, in the dinghy, and so forth. While my ICOM is DSC capable, I have not hooked it up to my GPS as I cannot foresee a need to do so -- and it would be a cumbersome wiring job to boot. If I were making some offshore passages, or even extended coastal cruises, I probably would make the connection. I'd be curious to know how many others have connected their VHF to their GPS?
VHF DSC GPS
Warren, given the recent discussion about how "UN-user-friendly" that connection can be, it will be interesting to see the responses to you question.
Warren, given the recent discussion about how "UN-user-friendly" that connection can be, it will be interesting to see the responses to you question.
Volume and Clarity
I also prefer knobs for squelch and channel selection rather than soft or dedicated keys. I think you can rectify what I would consider a pretty sorry volume and clarity for the most part by adding an external speaker. It makes a huge difference on most of the low to mid-priced units. Rick D.
I also prefer knobs for squelch and channel selection rather than soft or dedicated keys. I think you can rectify what I would consider a pretty sorry volume and clarity for the most part by adding an external speaker. It makes a huge difference on most of the low to mid-priced units. Rick D.
VHF brands..
Of all the brands I've owned, Uniden, Standard Horizon, Raytheon & Icom I find I really prefer the Icom's over all the others. I don't know what or how they do it but the three Icom's I've owned have always had a clearer signal, speakers & mic that were very easy to hear and decipher. While I did like my old Raytheon I never really liked my Standard Horizon or the Uniden that lasted less than a summer on my brothers Whaler. I will say I have not owned other brands in three years but do use many VHF's on OPB (other peoples boats) and I find the same results with Icom's over the others. A VHF is something I don't really get to excited about, like the phone in my house, but if it's not clear and does not have a good mic then I notice it. I do have the Icom RAM mic at the helm and love it because I don't have to constantly charge the batteries on my hand held, which is also Icom. Keep in mind they all work, and the differences are most likely small, but for me a quality signal and a clear mic are two of my sticking points on VHF's and Icom does both of these things well. Oh and I've never had any of my VHF's have a failure except the Uniden so I think they are all fairly reliable and do what they are intended for... Oh and while were on the subject of VHF's please remember to use low power unless you REALLY need the high power setting to reach out and touch someone. I think many boaters don't even know there is a difference. I can frequently hear boats hailing the Sebasco Harbor launch at Falmouth Foreside some 11 or 12 miles away it gets really, really annoying and clogs the working channels with un-needed clutter and communication. If you hear someone needlessly on high power it is aproprite to kindly remind them to switch to the low power setting..
Of all the brands I've owned, Uniden, Standard Horizon, Raytheon & Icom I find I really prefer the Icom's over all the others. I don't know what or how they do it but the three Icom's I've owned have always had a clearer signal, speakers & mic that were very easy to hear and decipher. While I did like my old Raytheon I never really liked my Standard Horizon or the Uniden that lasted less than a summer on my brothers Whaler. I will say I have not owned other brands in three years but do use many VHF's on OPB (other peoples boats) and I find the same results with Icom's over the others. A VHF is something I don't really get to excited about, like the phone in my house, but if it's not clear and does not have a good mic then I notice it. I do have the Icom RAM mic at the helm and love it because I don't have to constantly charge the batteries on my hand held, which is also Icom. Keep in mind they all work, and the differences are most likely small, but for me a quality signal and a clear mic are two of my sticking points on VHF's and Icom does both of these things well. Oh and I've never had any of my VHF's have a failure except the Uniden so I think they are all fairly reliable and do what they are intended for... Oh and while were on the subject of VHF's please remember to use low power unless you REALLY need the high power setting to reach out and touch someone. I think many boaters don't even know there is a difference. I can frequently hear boats hailing the Sebasco Harbor launch at Falmouth Foreside some 11 or 12 miles away it gets really, really annoying and clogs the working channels with un-needed clutter and communication. If you hear someone needlessly on high power it is aproprite to kindly remind them to switch to the low power setting..
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