Marine VHF advice

[shrimpman steve]

Eric the MM has been very gracious and offered to kick in some money for a VHF for the dirty shrimp. I have a hand held but but all parties involved would feel safer with the added distance of a fixed unit with a bigger antenna. what features should I look for in a console mounted unit and are they truly better then a handheld. The handheld of coarse would not go to waste as I fugure it will be a good back up.

Thanks

[Tuna Tales]

Steve:

I love ICOM...

I would also suggest this antenna:
Shakespeare 5225XT Galaxy 8 ft VHF Marine Antenna


Good luck...


Joe T.

[jerseyhunter]

You can just mount an antennae and hook it up to your handheld depending on the handheld. But a back up is always a feeling of comfort. Esp. if it's not hooked up to the boat's elec.

[MrAC1980]

I have no idea the right terminology, but look into one with the "hidden" channels, like channel 1-1,2,3. channel 2-1,2,3... etc.

[spearo]

Def get a dashboard one with the "distress" button. Forget what it's actually called but you register the unit with the CG and if the boat is going down you hit the button and it automatically transmits SOS with GPS coordinates. Well worth the extra couple of bucks.

[Harpoon]

No need to buy new. Plenty of antennas and radios on Craigslist.

[CaptMarc]

Spearo that is a great feature to have for the VHF. You didn't mention it, but probably to it for granted he knew, but it has to hooked up to a GPS unit. The ICOMs are the best for me.

[Gerry Zagorski]

ICOM is definately one of the better brands... The feature you want to make sure it has is DSC, Read up on it in this link http://www.vhf-dsc.info/what.html

Best to flush mount it permanent in the dash but if you don't want to cut holes in your dash most have brackets too.

Since VHF operates on line of site, the higher the antenna the longer your reach is going to be. Probably not as important to you since you stay in close but very important if you plan on going offshore.

As far as the antenna mount, don't cheap out here... Tell Eric to spring for the metal one :rolleyes: since the plastic ones tend to break when they are subjected to the boucing around you do in the bay and oceans.

[shrimpman steve]

Again. Thanks for all the responses

[Capt. Debbie]

Without A DOUBT. the best bang for the buck is in the antenna. Good one is about $160. And the higher up it is mounted the better. The old saying in every foot higher is equivalent to 10 watts of extra transmit power.

A hand held can be VERY JUICED UP if you use the main atnenna. Get an adapter. That 5-6 transmit watts will be a little better. But RECEPTION WILL SCREAM with that hi gain antenna.

ICOM is a very good brand I have a IC-422. It is waterproof too. A great, but not cheap radio- about $200 w/ ability to hook in your GPS.

They are now selling VHF's with built in GPS and even AIS( recieve only). A waste of money for most. With the DSC ( you have a MMSI#) you can call buddies and see who is around with your registered MMSI's in your unit.

And the USCG doen't monitor the Auto Distress Signal even though its been out almost 10 years. DOn't put too much stock in that as a desireable feature. It is NOT.

The suggested primary focus should be the best antenna your money can buy. One night on a sea tow boat the S/T boat next( doing a night salvage in Raritan Bay outside Keyport) to me had a smaller Very high gain antenna compared to my 16' high gain standard antenna. He was picking up and talking to a handheld VHF on the other side of the Keyport Bridge I could not hear except on his radio speakers. I WAS SOLD. It's not hype. Tha Hi gain antenna is first choice on where the money goes, then the radio with what's $$ left.




ICOM is definately one of the better brands... The feature you want to make sure it has is DSC, Read up on it in this link http://www.vhf-dsc.info/what.html

Best to flush mount it permanent in the dash but if you don't want to cut holes in your dash most have brackets too.

Since VHF operates on line of site, the higher the antenna the longer your reach is going to be. Probably not as important to you since you stay in close but very important if you plan on going offshore.

As far as the antenna mount, don't cheap out here... Tell Eric to spring for the metal one :rolleyes: since the plastic ones tend to break when they are subjected to the boucing around you do in the bay and oceans.

[Capt. Debbie]

The USCG does NOT monitor that distress signal. Do not think of it as a poor mans EPIRB. It's NOT.



Def get a dashboard one with the "distress" button. Forget what it's actually called but you register the unit with the CG and if the boat is going down you hit the button and it automatically transmits SOS with GPS coordinates. Well worth the extra couple of bucks.

[Rob B]

Without A DOUBT. the best bang for the buck is in the antenna. Good one is about $160. And the higher up it is mounted the better. The old saying in every foot higher is equivalent to 10 watts of extra transmit power.

A hand held can be VERY JUICED UP if you use the main atnenna. Get an adapter. That 5-6 transmit watts will be a little better. But RECEPTION WILL SCREAM with that hi gain antenna.

ICOM is a very good brand I have a IC-422. It is waterproof too. A great, but not cheap radio- about $200 w/ ability to hook in your GPS.

They are now selling VHF's with built in GPS and even AIS( recieve only). A waste of money for most. With the DSC ( you have a MMSI#) you can call buddies and see who is around with your registered MMSI's in your unit.

And the USCG doen't monitor the Auto Distress Signal even though its been out almost 10 years. DOn't put too much stock in that as a desireable feature. It is NOT.

The suggested primary focus should be the best antenna your money can buy. One night on a sea tow boat the S/T boat next( doing a night salvage in Raritan Bay outside Keyport) to me had a smaller Very high gain antenna compared to my 16' high gain standard antenna. He was picking up and talking to a handheld VHF on the other side of the Keyport Bridge I could not hear except on his radio speakers. I WAS SOLD. It's not hype. Tha Hi gain antenna is first choice on where the money goes, then the radio with what's $$ left.
I have to agree here definitely get a good antenna. I have a medium grade radio with a good antenna and it really gives great range.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great advice Frank. Did not know it made that much of a difference inshore too... Learn something new every day.

[LegalEyes]

Finding the right adapter to get from my handheld to my mounted Antenna was harder than expected. .. Found it at Wayne Electric...FYI...10 bucks.

I'd get the good antenna and keep the handheld.

[shrimpman steve]

Thanks
Will look for high gain ant.

[SaltLife1980]

We just picked up a hand held as a back up for this year incase we loose the main unit we use..