need a new radio

ssobol · Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:19 pm Post subject: need a new radio

My VHF radio has developed a fault. It is a Uniden Solara DSC that came with the boat.

It is out of warranty so to fix it will will cost about $75 (flat rate repair plus shipping). For about $100 or so, I can get a brand new radio (with DSC). So I was thinking that a new one might be the better choice. I am considering the Standard Horizon GX1600. Does anyone have any experience with this unit?

What are other suggestions for a reasonably priced VHF fixed mount radio?

P.S. I already have a Standard Horizon handheld unit.

hardee · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:59 am Post subject:

ssobol,

Standard horizon are good products. I have had and used several. Currently an SH 851 handheld and a GX 2150 fixed station with AIS recieve.

I would highly recommend the SH GX2150 with the AIS receive. It also has an auto Fog horn and Hailer function. For not too much more, it is a top of the line, multi function radio.

They also make a VHF base (or fixed station) that has a built in GPS. This is from the Standard Horizon web sight:

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=83&encProdID=8E6B84CBCC75E5A9C52CA71AA33BA6F5&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

"The EXPLORER GPS (GX1700) makes DSC easy.

With an internal 12 Channel GPS built into the front panel, there is no need to hassle with wiring the radio to a GPS for DSC."

I tried looking for "Standard Horizon GX1600" on the SH website with no luck, (could not find subject), so I'm thinking you may be looking at the GX1700, (typo maybe?). If so, OK. I have a friend with that VHF and he is happy with it. I have talked to it and it sounds good coming back.

I hope that helps.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

ssobol · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:13 am Post subject:

The Standard Horizon website has been down for a couple of days (at least for me). However, here is the GX1600

http://www.marine-electronics-reviews.com/standard-horizon-gx1600.html

http://www.boatersland.com/standard-explorer-gx1600.html

It is the GX1700 without internal the GPS feature.

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject:

The SH 1600 is a very good radio. I don't think you can go wrong with one. I would agree with Harvey that it is desirable if you are in any shipping or tug traffic, that the AIS is a nice feature. I have one.

hardee · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 1:15 pm Post subject:

Not everyone needs an AIS or AIS receiver. It depends on where you are doing most of your boating. I would recommend that anyone on the water have and use a GPS and if your VHF is not connected to one it should be or the DSC function is not available.

The Digital Selective Calling feature requires GPS signal from somewhere. It either needs to be from an external GPS and wired into the radio or in some cases, the GPS is built into the radio, as in the Standard Horizon GX1700W Explorer GPS Radio - the 12 Channel GPS is built into the Class D DSC VHF Radio. On this site there is $60 difference between the 2 radios. For that price difference, if it was me, I would be going with the GX1700.

http://standardhorizon.factoryoutletstore.com/details/57246/standard-horizon-gx1700.html?category_id=33497 GX1700 for $230 or

[url] http://standardhorizon.factoryoutletstore.com/details/57230/standard-horizon-gx1600.html?category_id=33497 [/url] GX1600for $170

I hope I did that right. Embarassed

AND I hope it is helpful.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

ssobol · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 3:15 pm Post subject:

I have a Humminbird chart plotter with GPS. This was connected to the DSC radio that failed. I can connect any new radio to this GPS source. I also have a phone and a tablet with GPS (and charts) in each, and a PLB with GPS (although these cannot be connected to the radio). I think I have GPS covered.

AIS might be nice, but for where and when I boat, it really is not necessary.

hardee · Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:52 am Post subject:

Sounds like you are on the right track with the 1600 then. Looks like you are practicing my program of redundancy. (Are you running twins Question

My emphasis comes from hearing about the numbers of VHF radios sold vs the ones that are actually hooked up to GPS and have MMSI assigned so that the DCS can actually be functional. (The numbers are between 15 and 20% only.) The DSC is only part of the equation. The MMSI needs to be input to the radio as well. It is all just easier if the GPS is already in the radio.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

ssobol · Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 7:28 am Post subject:

No twins. I've been thinking of getting a kicker. So far all the boating we do is fair weather and in well travelled areas not far from shore (inshore waters), so it hasn't been a high priority.

For any grand adventure I'd be sure to have one though.