View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Alasgun Guest
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:29 am Post subject: VHF Quandry? |
|
|
Good day to all. Again I solicit your help, this time I am looking for some feed back on the subject of the radio. The net site's are a great place to shop but to a new guy somewhat overwhelming due to their vastness. The long and short of it is that I don't know a thing about these radios but want to make good decisions when purchasing mine. I have a Simrad plotter and have looked at their stuff as well as the seemingly popular Furuno. I'm sure that a good answer is lurking out there in Brat Land.
Thanks, Mike on Huda Thunkit |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pat Anderson
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 8553 City/Region: Birch Bay, WA
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Daydream
Photos: Daydream and Crabby Lou
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:54 am Post subject: Re: VHF Quandry? |
|
|
Well, I am sure that most of them will do the job. The two companies best known in the ham radio world who also make marine radios are Icom and Yaesu. Icom marine radios are marketed as Icom, but the Yaesu radios are marketed as Standard Horizon (I am deducing this by appearance.) I have had Icom M402s on both the CD22 and the CD25. All radios are going to do just fine on the marine band (actually, antenna selection and mounting are more important than the radio itself for optimum range) and the weather band. I suppose the most important thing is to make sure you get one that has DSC (digital selective calling) and can connect to your GPS NMEA output so that it can automatically transmt your vessel ID and lat/lon coordinates when you press the panic button.
Alasgun wrote: | Good day to all. Again I solicit your help, this time I am looking for some feed back on the subject of the radio. The net site's are a great place to shop but to a new guy somewhat overwhelming due to their vastness. The long and short of it is that I don't know a thing about these radios but want to make good decisions when purchasing mine. I have a Simrad plotter and have looked at their stuff as well as the seemingly popular Furuno. I'm sure that a good answer is lurking out there in Brat Land.
Thanks, Mike on Huda Thunkit |
_________________
DAYDREAM - CD25 Cruiser
CRABBY LOU - CD16 Angler (sold 2020)
Pat & Patty Anderson, C-Brat #62!
http://daydreamsloop.blogspot.com
Last edited by Pat Anderson on Sun Jan 15, 2006 3:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
gljjr
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 908 City/Region: Fall City
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1982
C-Dory Model: 27 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Migratory Dory
Photos: gljjr
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'll second Pats advice on the two manufacturers above. I've used Icom Ham radios for years and have always had good things to say about them.
I've actually worn a couple of them out to the point where I had to take them in for service. Having the Regional Factory service facility in town sure makes it easier to go with Icom though. Any time I have dealt with Icom's service department I have had excellent service.
I have a brand new Icom m402s going into the 27'
As Pat stated the Antenna is a critical component to how well the radio is going to work. Being on a boat that is rocking all over I would prefer to have a very wide lobed antenna over one that has a narrow lobe. When I upgrade the antenna on the 27 I'm going to be looking at the "Digital Antenna" company http://www.digitalantenna.com/vhf500.html . I liked their presentation at the SBS. _________________ Gary Johnson
KB7NFG
Last edited by gljjr on Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Larry H
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 2041 City/Region: Tulalip,
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1991
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Photos: Nancy H
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Mike and Gary,
I installed a Digital Antenna vhf antenna, model 528 WW last year. It's 4 ft. long and is very well made. The end of the cable has a two part connector so you do not have to install the connector to the cable yourself, and it fits thru a 3/8 in hole. It works much better than my old 8ft antenna. I got it at Defender Industries in New York for about $85. _________________ Larry H
A C-Brat since Nov 1, 2003
Ranger Tug 27 ex 'Jacari Maru' 2017 - 2022
Puget Trawler 37 ex 'Jacari Maru' 2006-2017
1991 22' Cruiser, 'Nancy H'--1991-2006 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Papillon
Joined: 31 Mar 2005 Posts: 949 City/Region: DeBary, Fl. *On the St. John's River*
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Vessel Name: Papillon
Photos: Papillon
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
oldgrowth
Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 2196 City/Region: Rochester
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 16 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Voyager
Photos: C-Voyager
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I just installed my Christmas presents. A Raymarine Ray84 VHF radio
http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/ProductDetail.asp?site=1§ion=2&page=830&product_id=1748
and a Shakespeare 5102 8’ antenna
http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/antennas/specs/5102ant.htm
I read reports and read individual reviews before buying my own Christmas gift, just to make sure I got what I wanted.
This is my first marine radio; however I have had many other types of 2 way radios and radio phones and my biggest complaint to most, was the sound/speaker quality in noisy conditions. The reviews of this radio by individuals, not so called experts, rated this best in noisy conditions. I have not had a chance to try it, other than inside my boat storage shed with the antenna laying down. I was able to receive transmissions from 9.7 miles away. I live in a small valley with hills all around me so there is no direct line of sight anywhere. _________________ Dave
Last edited by oldgrowth on Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:10 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
gljjr
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 908 City/Region: Fall City
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1982
C-Dory Model: 27 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Migratory Dory
Photos: gljjr
|
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Pesky periods!
Thanks Mike! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sea Angel
Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 736 City/Region: Virginia Beach, VA
State or Province: VA
Photos: Sea Angel
|
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
I concur with Pat all the way. Power Boats also gave the ICOM 402 an excellent nod. Locally, here on the lower Chesapeake Bay, the DSC is just beginning to be functional. The USCG is not aboard, yet, but they are scheduled soon.
I'm running the ICOM502 and have been very satisfied with the sensitivity and audio quality. Not knowing your layout plans, you may want to also consider an external speaker that would be closer to the helm position.
I also went with the 8' Shakespeare Ant. I ran one on my last boat, 18' SeaRay, for 16 years without a single problem.
I would suggest, not that you wouldn't, to pay particular attention to the hull feedthru and its wx proofing/seals. Next would be the proper routing and proper assembly of the PL259/ UHF connector that mates to the rear of the radio. This may all seem obvious, but I have seen many problems where I have repaired this connector due to a lack of proper assembly. The most common would be the braid has been either pulled out, or a minor amount, due to being cut too short, making contact with the shell. Corrosion would be the next.
If you are not familiar with these connectors, you may want to find a ham radio operator who could throw it together for you in abt 5 minutes.
Oh my! This was a little more than 2 cents worth....
73s
Sea Angel _________________ Art ka1rx
CBRAT #208
2005 CD25 #075 SEA ANGEL (SOLD)
USCGAUX (RET), USN(RET)
Broadcast TV ENG(RET)
ka1rx@verizon.net
SKYPE: Art.Bartlett4 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dreamer
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1764 City/Region: Really Sunny SaddleBrooke
State or Province: AZ
Photos: Dreamer
|
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I concur on the Icom choice. I would reccommend the Icom 602 for several reasons. It is, of course, a DSC capable set. It has a loudhailer function with amplified listen back, a feature we have found very handy. With the loudhailer horn installed, it also becomes an automatic fog signal. And we do boat in the fog on the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. When using the fog signal feature, the radio still functions as a radio unlike the Standard Horizon.
If a second radio is desired, and it's always a good idea, the Icom 502 matches nicely but lacks the hailer features.
The only problem is where to put all this nice hardware!
Cheers, Roger
Dreamer _________________ Roger
Once a C-Brat, always a C-Brat
Dreamer- Sold 25 Feb. 2013 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Alasgun Guest
|
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject: VHF Quandry! |
|
|
Thanks floks, I always get my moneys worth when I take the time to inquire. Mike on Huda Thunkit |
|
Back to top |
|
|
gljjr
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 908 City/Region: Fall City
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1982
C-Dory Model: 27 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Migratory Dory
Photos: gljjr
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Larry,
Thanks for the comments on the Digital 528VW antenna. I had been thinking that was what I would like to use as well. If I remember correctly the rep said that they were 5/8 wave rather than a typical Dipole like the Shakespear. This should result in a higher gain from the antenna. Sure it could all be hype but looking at the lobe patterns they were showing me I can see how this antenna would perform better.
I have nothing to complain about with the Shakespear. They have been making antennas for a long time. And they should work just fine. But when you see what is inside of them you have to wonder how they can charge so much! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sea Angel
Joined: 29 Dec 2003 Posts: 736 City/Region: Virginia Beach, VA
State or Province: VA
Photos: Sea Angel
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Roger, et all;
I concur with ICOM602 as very flexible. May I suggest you can have the best of both worlds if you have the space.
Suggest the ICOM502 [abt $265]..... same as the '602 but much cheaper & does not have the hailer /horn functions. Add a Standard Horizon 'LH-5' hailer w/Fog Signals [abt $243].
When the '602 is used as a hailer or fog horn I believe the radio function is disabled. For the redundancy and operational features I chose this route. The Standard also allows you to listen & hail/speak to several locations... very handy if you are working a tow.
The common cost items would still be there, i.e., ant & speakers, etc..
As the 5/8 verses 1/2 wavelength goes.... There are many notes on these points. Just remember that the narrower the vertical beam width , the more stable the platform has to be to hit the horizon of the receiving antenna, or the direction/bearing you want to make contact with. From the roof of most CDs you will probably have a horizon of abt 7nms, plus the receiving ant. height 's horizon.
Hope this helps...
73s
Sea Angel |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 2020 City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
|
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Deal alert:
Icom MV1 handheld regularly $290.00, now available for $145 at your friendly West Marine store.
Seriously, Froogle the MV1 and you'll see it's the best price out there. Ignore the "Internet Only" price, the stores will match it.
After receiving a bundle of West Advantage Plus reward cards, I stole mine for $1.76. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dreamer
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1764 City/Region: Really Sunny SaddleBrooke
State or Province: AZ
Photos: Dreamer
|
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Mike, It seems everybody agrees that the Icom is top drawer stuff. Lo and behold, a new Power and Motoryacht freebie Mag comes today with a Boater's World Ad. Icom 402 Close Out special! With mail in rebate $129.99. 1-800-826-BOAT. I ordered one as a backup.
Regarding my earlier endorsement of the Icom 602, the radio function remain functional when using the hailer or fog signal functions unlike my Standard Horizon "Spectrum".
Roger
Dreamer |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Norm S
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 110 City/Region: Tacoma Wa
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1984
C-Dory Model: 18 Angler
Vessel Name: The Divine Miss C
Photos: The Divine Miss C
|
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Bottom line is all the major manufacturers radios are good stuff. I agree with many that Icom is pretty much the peak of the heap. I've had one of their VHFs for many yrs and own a couple of their FRS radios too. I now own a WM radio for the 18 and am quite happy with it. MY buddy bought a ray-marine for the tug and it is also great. Whichever brand get DSC and get a grey or black radio. my white Icom turned yellow from sun exposure and looks like crap....still works great just looks nasty. Probably not as much of an issue in the closed cabin of a C-Dory but I still went with grey this time. My advice is look for the features you want and find the best price for those features. I wanted a hailer this time and the WM brand radio was on sale.
Norm _________________ If You're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|