looking at vhf radio's?????

Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
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.
thanks Ken thats good to know....as for the smalish display..... that is ok ...the mic seems a little large but ya gotta have some where to put all those buttons and controls.....i am just glad its not like a Giant Lolly Pop :eek:....

regards

woody
 

pupluv

.
Nov 11, 2007
90
- - wilmington, ca
radio cables

I don't know much about antenna mounting but the consensus here seems to that it's best to run a cable to the deck, then another cable to the antenna. Is that right?

What's the advantage of this compared to running the cable through the deck right to the antenna?
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,366
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
I don't know much about antenna mounting but the consensus here seems to that it's best to run a cable to the deck, then another cable to the antenna. Is that right?

What's the advantage of this compared to running the cable through the deck right to the antenna?
With antenna cable joint below the mast/deck, you don't have to pull the cable all the way out from the vhf when mast is unstep. Just undo the joint under mast.
 
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
I'd vote for SH 2200 as well. I have the 2150, with wiring for NMEA0183 from the chartplotter. Built-in GPS takes out that additional wiring.

Also, there are many other things going on with this unit:
The RAM has the AIS display.
You can send NMEA data for DSC and AIS plotting on your compatible chartplotter.
You can set approach alarms to warn you if you're on a collision course with AIS targets. This is handy if you don't have a clear view of the RAM, or etc.
You can make direct contact with AIS targets, using DSC technology to send your position and vessel data to the AIS ship.
There's a built-in hailer with horns and signals, and listen-back.

I've played with and used the radio through the entirety of its functionality, and it's quite fabulous.
 
Sep 15, 2013
708
Catalina 270 Baltimore
I have to vote for SH also. I just installed a GX2150 with remote mic and a CP190 chartplotter. RAM mic was plug and play. I had to cut and splice the cable to get it to my navpod. No issues. I networked the GX2150 and the chartplotter. They swap GPS and AIS info. It took one call to tech support to get everything up and running. A baud rate setting on the plotter had to be changed. I got the whole deal at the GPS store and got a great price. There are a lot of great VHF radios out there no doubt. However Standard Horizon stuff plays well with each other and the tech support is second to none. If you are going to get into NMEA 0183 networking I recommend SH.
Also I had to use the 23 ft extension cable. It was also plug and play and no issues with that either.