Fixed VHF Radio Options

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Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander

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May 7, 2004
75
Catalina 28 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hello all, I'm considering updating the VHF radio in my boat. Currently on board we have a very simple Raymarine fixed VHF radio and a Raymarine hand held. I'm looking for a radio that would give me the option of a remote mic. We sail on an inland lake that is about 8 or 10 miles long. At that range I need the power from the fixed base stations. I've looked but there are so many choices. Anyone have a good suggestion/opinion on a fixed radio. Jason
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,182
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Some Thoughts...

...VHF radios are a real sale item for the larger retailers. I'd watch the West Marine, Boaters World and Defender ads, and get one with a RAM mike option. They all have to pass some basic specifications to be certified, so look for price and service. However... Another option to consider is a second station outside with an inexpensive unit with an accessory speaker. You can use a combiner for one VHF antenna, but what I have done in the past is to use a rail mount for the second station. My thought is that you can do all this for only slightly more than a RAM mike and now you have redundancy. Further, the biggest PITA on marine VHF's is volume, and a remote speaker mounted fairly near where you helm is a godsend. And, they are not expensive. Good luck with whatever you decide. Rick D.
 
Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson

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Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Jason...

I have a Uniden Polaris with the wireless WHAM mike. The base unit is at the nav station and the RAM mike is at the helm. DSC enabled. Works great! For back-up in case of castastrophic failure, I have a hand-held kept charged at the nav station as well.
 
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,507
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
How Prevelent are VHFs on the Lake

A handheld may be perfectly adequate for a lake that small. Many places inland a CB is abetter choice as there are more people to talk to.
 
Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander

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May 7, 2004
75
Catalina 28 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
VHF Usage

Rick, VHF is used very heavily on the lake. Someone in our yacht club is always on the radio. That's one of the reasons I'm looking to replace my radio. My fixed base stations is down at the nav station and often I can hear calls on it that are out of range for my hand held. Jason
 
Tom Spohn

Tom Spohn

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Jun 7, 2004
383
Schock 35 Seattle
DSC

We are currently using a handheld in the cockpit with a permanent mount in the cabin. The handheld, an Icom M1V is at least as strong as the old VHF below, but neither radio has DSC. We decided we wanted DSC which rules out most handhelds. (Although Uniden Mystic looks interesting if you also want backup handheld GPS) Wanted DSC to be Class D--that is the radio monitors channel 70 with a separate circuit rather than switching back and forth. Wanted built in fog signals and outside speaker/hailer as August in Puget Sound is spelled Fogust! Next we wanted to be able to use the radio from the cockpit so a remote mike. But we might be on the bow, or in the dinghy when we needed to activate the on-board VHF so that means a wireless remote mike. Then we wanted low power drain when not in use which means a Uniden 525 or 625 with remote Wham mike. ($199 and $299) I also am impressed with the Icom 502 which uses slightly more power and the remote must be wired. We haven't purchased yet, but we are about to go with a new Uniden 625.
 
PrincessoftheLake

PrincessoftheLake

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Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
I don't mean to hijack this thread but...

I have the opposite problem. My new Hunter 40.5 has a vhf mounted on the pedestal with speakers in the cockpit. The problem is that it is impossible to hear the radio while in the cabin. What would be the best option? Just buy a second VHF and mount it at the NAV station? If I do, is a second antenna neccessary?
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,342
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
second speaker?

if you didn't want to go to the expense of a second radio for which you should have a second antenna for redundancy purposes, you could simply wire in another speaker in the cabin. The wires are small so snaking them may not be a major pain.
 
D

Dragonfly6689

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Sep 6, 2005
69
Beneteau 331 Mark Twain Lake, MO
RAM Mic

We explored options of adding a mobile microphone at the helm. “Dragonfly” came with a Standard Horizon Eclipse VHF. It does not have a mobile microphone option. However, the Standard Horizon Intrepid does have the RAM Mic options. We found the Intrepid on sale for $120 after rebates and the RAM Mic for another $100. It has been a great asset. No more worrying about a low battery on a handheld or running down below to take a call. It even has in intercom function. Now the admiral can call me to bring her another cool one when I’m slaving away in the galley… See our web site for more details on installation. http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/ Mark
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,182
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Princess...

...that is exactly what I did on my 40.5. I did use a second VHF antenna, but for reasons of redundancy. Otherwise, they sell an antenna 'sharing' device. I have a B&G in the cockpit which I love, but it does not have DSC. I got a radio on E-Bay with DHS for a hundred bucks. It works very well. Rick D.
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,182
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
DSC and DHS

See the link for an explaination of DSC (Digital Selective Calling). DHS should have read DSC too, but maybe I was right the first time and it stands for 'Dumb Husband Syndrome' :eek: Rick D. PS: DSC is required on all current marine radios, so anyone you get will have it.
 
PrincessoftheLake

PrincessoftheLake

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Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
Thanks Rick and Dragonfly

The next time we go visit the boat I will have to see what radio we have. Maybe I'll be able to find a RAM to go with it but I really like the thought of the DSC feature. It may be time to upgrade! I guess I would prefer a fixed mount at the NAV station with RAM for the Cockpit.
 
P

Patrick

Redundant radios

I had a fixed VHF at the nav station and a handheld and realized that in an emergency i had to leave the helm and go below to use the radio. So I installed a second radio at the helm and used a manual antenna switch to use the same antenna for both.They do make an electronic switch that switches atomatically depending on which mike is keyed,I chose to go manual. So I now have redundant radios and am a lot safer and happier.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Ray Marine 230

Check out the RayMarine 230 or the newer model (RayMarine 240). It gives you the option to have a full blown radio in the cockpit and at the nav station with lots of extras. One just sold on ebay for 200 the second stations are still available from Ray if you get the older version.
 
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