looking at vhf radio's?????

woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
...ok i am about to pull the trigger on a new VHF.....i have been looking hard at Icom and have found one (504) that i like but i cant seem to find out if it has intercom feature...you can get a remote mic for the helm so i am wondering if any one has any thing to reply about theses .....

thanks in advance....

regards

woody
 
Ken13559

Ken13559

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Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
My 422 has intercom features so do expect 504 to be same. In fact, intercom seems to be a standard feature for vhf with extension mic. I now use Standard Horizon GX2150 Matrix+ with AIS receiver build in. Really useful feature if you want to be able to ships traffic around you. The SH also has intercom. Icom also has a vhf with AIS receiver, its 506.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
thanks Ken...looks like your sh has more bang for lesser bucks except the voice scrambler ...i have no idea why i would need that any way.....lol whats a mother to do lol ....now i will have to rethink my choices...again thanks...

regards

woody
 
Paul Mermelstein

Paul Mermelstein

.
Oct 3, 2008
325
Beneteau 393 Chesapeake Bay
I have the Icom 504 and RAM mic at the helm. It does indeed have the intercom feature. It is a terrific radio. People say they can hear me very clearly, and I know that I can hear them quite well. I won't get into a comparison with other brands, because these days there are many good VHFs out there, within the same price range. However, I do like the Icom and would recommend it.
 
ggrizzard

ggrizzard

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May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Woodster,
Cost is always a concern but, there's a new feature available on some models that could save your life.
Mfgs are imbedding GPS into some of their fixed mount radios. This means you don't need a separate GPS to activate the SAR feature on your VHF.
I hope I never have to use mine, but it's there just the same.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
8,001
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
ggrizzard said:
WoodsterMfgs are imbedding GPS into some of their fixed mount radios. This means you don't need a separate GPS to activate the SAR feature on your VHF.
Click to expand
How do they handle antenna-ing for the GPS? Is it internal or external?
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
I am glad you pointed that about the built in GPS thing. Seems SH has that in the 2200 model and not that much more money than the 2150

Regards

Woody
 
Last edited:
Ken13559

Ken13559

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Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
I when I bought my 2150 last year, 2200 wasn't out yet. If i have to buy a vhf again, I'll go for 2200.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Ken13559 said:
I when I bought my 2150 last year, 2200 wasn't out yet. If i have to buy a vhf again, I'll go for 2200.
Click to expand
based on what i have read on these it looks like i will do the 2200.....it has more featers that the 504 or 2150 and the diff in cost is minimal...and it also has a 3 year warrenty ........still dont know why i would need voice scrambler ...i talk funny enough now....nope dont need no stinkin help:D...

regards

woody
 
jimmcgee

jimmcgee

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Feb 26, 2008
603
Catalina 30 Marathon, FL
One more thing to throw in the mix. With the new SH 2200 coming out, the GPS store has some great deals going right now on the 2150 & remote mike.

Mine's going to be tied to the chart plotter for GPS signal so the big price drop was attractive and I went for the 2150 and remote mike.

http://www.thegpsstore.com/

I'm not affiliated with these guys, just a long time happy customer.

Jim
 
B

Blitz

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Jul 10, 2007
722
Seidelmann 34 Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Icom builds to military spec if that makes you think it might be any better.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i89xub3UaTo

I have the IC-M504A. I am very pleased with it's performance and ease of use. As others indicated it transmits very clearly. I already had a chartplotter gps and ais. The installation was pretty easy including a remote mic.
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
A scrabmler is more of a power/fishing boat thing to keep those secret fishing spots between you and your buddies.
 
Brian D

Brian D

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Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
SBO does a great service for our community. SBO cannot compete with the big box stores, but they try. You might want to look in the SBO Store for your next radio. Purchasing from the store helps support this fine site.

Just saying...

(An obligatory commercial sponsored by no one in particular) LOL
 
ggrizzard

ggrizzard

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May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
The GPS antenna is internal but mine receives the signal through the cabin top. No problems.
 
Ken13559

Ken13559

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Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
I notice, Icom and SH uses the same 8 pins extension cable. However the SH RAM3 mic has a different plug hence it comes with another extension cable with large plug on one end and 8 pins on the other. So if you have already laid an Icom extension cable, you only need to join the RAM3 extension cable to the existing. Ofcourse that leaves you with a long length of cable coil at pedestal area. If you have an instrument pod, then this cable length can be tuck inside the pod. Save laying new cable run.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Ken13559 said:
I notice, Icom and SH uses the same 8 pins extension cable. However the SH RAM3 mic has a different plug hence it comes with another extension cable with large plug on one end and 8 pins on the other. So if you have already laid an Icom extension cable, you only need to join the RAM3 extension cable to the existing. Ofcourse that leaves you with a long length of cable coil at pedestal area. If you have an instrument pod, like i do, then this cable length csn be tuck inside the pod. Save laying new cable run.
Click to expand
thanks Ken i dont have the extention cable yet but will get one when i buy this week ...does the RAM3 mic have a display of some sort.....

regards

woody
 
Prime Time

Prime Time

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Sep 25, 2008
544
Bristol 43.3 Perth Amboy
I am very happy with a standard horizon 2100. I have it interfaced with my Raymarine e80 plotter. The automatic fog signal is very nice to have and I would never go back to not having one. The customer service is outstanding. Through neglect on my part I once destroyed the case of a sh chart plotter. SH sent me a new case at no cost. They made a lifelong customer with that!
 
Ken13559

Ken13559

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Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
woodster said:
thanks Ken i dont have the extention cable yet but will get one when i buy this week ...does the RAM3 mic have a display of some sort.....

regards

woody
Click to expand
RAM3 comes with its own extension cable which if long enough for you (about 20ft), then you won't need to buy the additional extension cable CT-100.
RAM3 display is smallish but is adequate.
 
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