I'll be shopping for a new VHF at the Annapolis Boat show next week. Looking in the $150 - $300 range. Does anyone have any recomendations which to look at and which to stear clear of. Thanks
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ICOM with a RAM
Raymarine has some new, nifty VHFs that operate like phones and have intercom capabilities but out of your price range. BTW, I have used SH and Uniden for comparison's sake. I currently own a SH Intrepid with RAM but my handheld ICOM is much better sound quality. Of course the range would be better on the fixed mount unit. Tim R.
Raymarine has some new, nifty VHFs that operate like phones and have intercom capabilities but out of your price range. BTW, I have used SH and Uniden for comparison's sake. I currently own a SH Intrepid with RAM but my handheld ICOM is much better sound quality. Of course the range would be better on the fixed mount unit. Tim R.
Loved my Icom!
With the new boat I got a Uniden, which came with it, with wireless RAM mic and it sucks in comparison to the Icom I had on the last boat. If I remember correctly my Icom was either the 302 or the 402 with RAM. I also second Tim's suggestion of the wired RAM Mic. I have found, over the years on numerous boats, that Icom has the clearest voice reception and cleanest transmission. The wireless mic from Uniden has a distinct delay and it sounds tiny and is very difficult to decipher the vocal range cleanly and clearly while under sail.. I'll probably be ditching my Uniden within the next year and replacing it with an Icom again...
With the new boat I got a Uniden, which came with it, with wireless RAM mic and it sucks in comparison to the Icom I had on the last boat. If I remember correctly my Icom was either the 302 or the 402 with RAM. I also second Tim's suggestion of the wired RAM Mic. I have found, over the years on numerous boats, that Icom has the clearest voice reception and cleanest transmission. The wireless mic from Uniden has a distinct delay and it sounds tiny and is very difficult to decipher the vocal range cleanly and clearly while under sail.. I'll probably be ditching my Uniden within the next year and replacing it with an Icom again...
Standard Horizon
Hello, In the spring I bought a Standard Horizon GX1500S. The radio was $140 and I bought a remote mic (commmand mic) for another $90 or so. This is class D DSC radio (can transmit / receive DSC while transmitting or receiving voice traffic). One of the things I like about it that when it is connected to a GPS (for DSC data) it works like a repeater and will display SOG, COG, LAT / LONG, etc. The sound is clear and loud enough. So far I am very happy with it. In the past I have had cheap Cobra units. The sound was so poor I had a hard time understanding people on the radio. Barry
Hello, In the spring I bought a Standard Horizon GX1500S. The radio was $140 and I bought a remote mic (commmand mic) for another $90 or so. This is class D DSC radio (can transmit / receive DSC while transmitting or receiving voice traffic). One of the things I like about it that when it is connected to a GPS (for DSC data) it works like a repeater and will display SOG, COG, LAT / LONG, etc. The sound is clear and loud enough. So far I am very happy with it. In the past I have had cheap Cobra units. The sound was so poor I had a hard time understanding people on the radio. Barry
Thinking same thing but looking for handheld
any suggestions? Last one fell and went right out into the water and sank like a rock. Jim S/V Java
any suggestions? Last one fell and went right out into the water and sank like a rock. Jim S/V Java
wireless RAM Uniden
Have the Uniden with wireless remote and never found it to be anything but excellent when compared with Icom or Std Horizon, both of which I also have onboard. The "delay" referred to below was a problem with the early run as the switching of the repeater function was not spec'ed properly - as long as you buy a contemporary one off the shelf, it should be fine and sound as well or better than comparable units. Lots of people seem to have strong opinions about which is best but can't help wonder how many actually know what's inside the box or how they differ. They all use the same microphone type, generally all use the same amp module and receive specs, generally equivalent, are easily comparable online. My suggestion for a portable is whichever has the best battery. For a fixed unit, any one with DSC should suffice and if you want remote capability, any one with a wireless or wired RAM willl work - the biggest difference among comparably priced units is their waterproof rating which is solely a function of the case.
Have the Uniden with wireless remote and never found it to be anything but excellent when compared with Icom or Std Horizon, both of which I also have onboard. The "delay" referred to below was a problem with the early run as the switching of the repeater function was not spec'ed properly - as long as you buy a contemporary one off the shelf, it should be fine and sound as well or better than comparable units. Lots of people seem to have strong opinions about which is best but can't help wonder how many actually know what's inside the box or how they differ. They all use the same microphone type, generally all use the same amp module and receive specs, generally equivalent, are easily comparable online. My suggestion for a portable is whichever has the best battery. For a fixed unit, any one with DSC should suffice and if you want remote capability, any one with a wireless or wired RAM willl work - the biggest difference among comparably priced units is their waterproof rating which is solely a function of the case.
wireless mic
3 seasons ago I bought the Uniden 525UK c/w a wireless RAM mic. I find that it works great and love every features it carries, digital calling, emergency calling, GPS positioning link, fog horn, pager between station and mic. The wireless mic is something I would not do without in any future VHF station, I roam around the boat or dock etc. and still communicate with other vessels,lock masters, marina or my own main station, while others are confined to their helming station or nav station unit. I used the Digital calling feature on Lake Ontario, where a lot more sailors use this feature, made things simple. I have no issue with this unit and would recommend it without any hesitations. Have a good show.... Ghislain C30TRBS #4708 Emilie-Jolie
3 seasons ago I bought the Uniden 525UK c/w a wireless RAM mic. I find that it works great and love every features it carries, digital calling, emergency calling, GPS positioning link, fog horn, pager between station and mic. The wireless mic is something I would not do without in any future VHF station, I roam around the boat or dock etc. and still communicate with other vessels,lock masters, marina or my own main station, while others are confined to their helming station or nav station unit. I used the Digital calling feature on Lake Ontario, where a lot more sailors use this feature, made things simple. I have no issue with this unit and would recommend it without any hesitations. Have a good show.... Ghislain C30TRBS #4708 Emilie-Jolie
Not all the same
I have a friend who is a radio whiz. He has the equipment to check send, receive, RAMs, antenna, etc. He has many years of experience testing and repairing VHF radios and he says ICOM makes the best consumer based units. I believe PS also rates them high. Of course, he was a sniper in Viet Nam so I always take his word for it! Tim R.
I have a friend who is a radio whiz. He has the equipment to check send, receive, RAMs, antenna, etc. He has many years of experience testing and repairing VHF radios and he says ICOM makes the best consumer based units. I believe PS also rates them high. Of course, he was a sniper in Viet Nam so I always take his word for it! Tim R.
For Jim Seamans
Jim: I bought a Uniden Atlantis 250 from West/BoatUS about 5 yrs ago (it was then selling for $120, but now it's priced at $100) and have never been disappointed with it. I also bought a waterproof baggy for it. One of the best "boat units" I ever spent. BTW, I also like the ICOM fixed mount radios. For $150 or so for the Model 304, you can' go wrong with these tough and waterproof radios.
Jim: I bought a Uniden Atlantis 250 from West/BoatUS about 5 yrs ago (it was then selling for $120, but now it's priced at $100) and have never been disappointed with it. I also bought a waterproof baggy for it. One of the best "boat units" I ever spent. BTW, I also like the ICOM fixed mount radios. For $150 or so for the Model 304, you can' go wrong with these tough and waterproof radios.
Uniden 625 C
I bought a Uniden 625 C last year because my eyes are just not what they used to be. Seeing the numbers and the screen is very easy with this unit as it is in color and the contrast is very good. I also have the RAM mic and like the way the system works. I can clearly get out a long way as the antenna is up 50 feet and I have the larger diameter antenna wire. I have used the other freatures but not often. I purchased on line for well under the advertised price.
I bought a Uniden 625 C last year because my eyes are just not what they used to be. Seeing the numbers and the screen is very easy with this unit as it is in color and the contrast is very good. I also have the RAM mic and like the way the system works. I can clearly get out a long way as the antenna is up 50 feet and I have the larger diameter antenna wire. I have used the other freatures but not often. I purchased on line for well under the advertised price.
ICOM with the Remote Mic
I really like our ICOM with Remote mic. Oh yes, this just replaced a 25 year old ICOM that is still working great... Scroll to the bottom. http://www.sailingseadragon.com/Instruments.htm Garner
I really like our ICOM with Remote mic. Oh yes, this just replaced a 25 year old ICOM that is still working great... Scroll to the bottom. http://www.sailingseadragon.com/Instruments.htm Garner
VHF
I have a late model VHF with remote wireless mike. The mike cost about $100. If I had to do it again, I'd get the VHF and a handheld for about the same price. That way I'd have a back up VHF.
I have a late model VHF with remote wireless mike. The mike cost about $100. If I had to do it again, I'd get the VHF and a handheld for about the same price. That way I'd have a back up VHF.
Icom handhelds
Jim - In response to your last handheld sinking, you might look at Icom's M34 - it's claim to fame is that it floats. The only downside is the battery doesn't last as long as the M72 or M88. In general, I think Icom's radios are the best quality on the market. For fied mount, the best value is the M504 if you want all the bells and whistles (a lot less than the M604 but similar performance). Just my 2 cents, Trevor
Jim - In response to your last handheld sinking, you might look at Icom's M34 - it's claim to fame is that it floats. The only downside is the battery doesn't last as long as the M72 or M88. In general, I think Icom's radios are the best quality on the market. For fied mount, the best value is the M504 if you want all the bells and whistles (a lot less than the M604 but similar performance). Just my 2 cents, Trevor
Why do we still have fixed mount VHF radios
given that almost all radio stuff takes place in the cockpit?
given that almost all radio stuff takes place in the cockpit?
Hand held power
The problem with using a hand held as the primary radio is they don't have the power a fixed mount does. Like others on the list I installed a fixed mount VHF with a wireless unit for the cockpit and love it. Other than battery life being about 6 hrs tops it 's fine. I just carry lithiums for backup once the rechargable is used up.
The problem with using a hand held as the primary radio is they don't have the power a fixed mount does. Like others on the list I installed a fixed mount VHF with a wireless unit for the cockpit and love it. Other than battery life being about 6 hrs tops it 's fine. I just carry lithiums for backup once the rechargable is used up.
It's the height, not power
The difference between a typical handheld and fixed radio is 5 watts and 25 watts or 5 times the output which equates to approx 3 dB signal increase which is virtually imperceptable. The real difference as someone already pointed out is the fixed radio antenna is usually 50 ft +/- higher which makes a huge difference in both apparent signal strength and range.
The difference between a typical handheld and fixed radio is 5 watts and 25 watts or 5 times the output which equates to approx 3 dB signal increase which is virtually imperceptable. The real difference as someone already pointed out is the fixed radio antenna is usually 50 ft +/- higher which makes a huge difference in both apparent signal strength and range.
Power Matters Too
Sorry to pick up on Don Illusion but the 25 watts of a fixed VHF is 7dB above the 5 watts of a Hand Held and not 3dB. Though line of sight predominates in terms of range, VHF sets suffer(benefit?) from "Capture Effect". This means they lock on to the strongest signal and reject weaker ones. So when operating at max range it is easy to be overspoken by a more powerful signal. Indeed the competing transmitter's operator may not even be aware of the lower powered one. Also one doesn't know how well the receiving set has its squelch set so low level signals could be below the squelch level of the receiver. Now add that, apart from aerial height, the HH set's antenna is a very poor match to its surroundings which means both the radiated power AND the received power is comparably reduced. BTW - I am not in favour of blasting 25 watts at everyone so it is polite to try on low power and only go up to full power if connection just cannot be made. This way stations 10 miles away can work their comms without mutual interference. I do wish others would adopt this philosophy too!
Sorry to pick up on Don Illusion but the 25 watts of a fixed VHF is 7dB above the 5 watts of a Hand Held and not 3dB. Though line of sight predominates in terms of range, VHF sets suffer(benefit?) from "Capture Effect". This means they lock on to the strongest signal and reject weaker ones. So when operating at max range it is easy to be overspoken by a more powerful signal. Indeed the competing transmitter's operator may not even be aware of the lower powered one. Also one doesn't know how well the receiving set has its squelch set so low level signals could be below the squelch level of the receiver. Now add that, apart from aerial height, the HH set's antenna is a very poor match to its surroundings which means both the radiated power AND the received power is comparably reduced. BTW - I am not in favour of blasting 25 watts at everyone so it is polite to try on low power and only go up to full power if connection just cannot be made. This way stations 10 miles away can work their comms without mutual interference. I do wish others would adopt this philosophy too!
Good replies
Thanks for all the good comments. I don't think a wireless RAM will work for me. I have a Icom hand held and want to be free from replacing batteries. I can wire a RAM in near the pedestal.
Thanks for all the good comments. I don't think a wireless RAM will work for me. I have a Icom hand held and want to be free from replacing batteries. I can wire a RAM in near the pedestal.
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