The C-Brats Forum Index
HomeForumsMy TopicsCalendarEvent SignupsMemberlistOur C-DorysThe Brat MapPhotos

What VHF Do You Have Now and Why
Goto page Previous  1, 2
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electronics
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 4419
City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 6:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dont forget the importance of antenna's length and installation
_________________
Brent Barrett
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 12632
City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Brent, you are right but I am really looking for the radio choices. I just had all 3 radios checked and all three VHF antennas checked. Everything (Radio's, Connections< and Antennas), checked out in the about 90-95% group, power outputs, and SWR's except for the RM 218 VHF. (My Commrod 8 ft Glass antenna was higher than anything the marine electronics guy had tested in years, and it is only about 14 years old.)

So far, the easiest menu function is the ICOM M-506, but it does not have a face cover.

>>>From A Bayliner owners Forum:
Quote:
"I installed a Icom 506 Marine VHF radio, replacing the previously installed Uniden 625C VHF radio. The Icom is really nice. I especially like the ability to recall received radio calls, up to 2 minutes worth of audio.

I wanted a weather cover for the Icom radio but they are not made. I later found the Dust Cover for the Standard Horizon Hailer also recently installed was a perfect fit for the Icom radio.

Standard Horizon dust cover (part number RA0772200) The covers were only $2 ordered direct from Standard Horizon. I ordered 3 and received them a few weeks later. This gave me spares if one was lost or damaged."


The physical size of the ICOM M-506 and the Standard horizon radios referenced are considerably different. Not sure how that would cover an M-506, but then, it is going onto a Bayliner, so maybe they are less particular than I am.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon


_________________
Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 12632
City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 3:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BuildItOnce wrote:
Harvey,

Interesting thread you've started. Looking forward to hearing replies.

Not only am I new to the c-brat community and c-dory boats, but I'm also new to VHF radio. My other boat is a 16' duroboat that I've owned for around 7 years. I didn't have any sort of radio on the duroboat, so having a VHF on our C-dory is new to me. I've done some reading on the net about using a VHF and general radio etiquette, but I still have a lot more to learn. Would you mind sharing what you use your various radios for? Channels you use? Features you really like having?

We have a basic West Marine VHF580 in our boat and I've wondered what the more advanced radios might give me.


The VHF radio is the primary communication device for a marine vessel in Inland, Coastal or near Coastal waters. It produces a line of sight transmission signal and they generally have 2 power (wattage) settings (1 and 25 or Low and High). The channels have designated uses prescribed by FCC regulation, and there are common channels for various uses sometimes set up by regional practice. Some use channels are:
16 - Emergency, Coast Guard and primary calling channel for establishing connection then moving to another working channel
9 - is also a primary contacting channel though not used as often in my area.
5, 11, 14 - are Vessel traffic (like air traffic control) for commercial boat traffic.
13 - Bridge to Bridge (or captain to captain - not boat to railroad bridge)
22 - Non Emergency use for US Coast Guard
28 - For automated radio checks in some areas
70 - For DSC calling only, then the call is shifted to a second channel of the callers choice
There are lots of others but these are the ones I use in the US. There are some different ones in Canada.
7 - Whale watch service in Canada
11 - Victoria Traffic
71 - Prince Rupert traffic controls Vancouver Island west side and north of Campbell River
82 - For Non emergent contact with Canada Coast Guard

I have on board an active AIS transponder. In crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca I frequently talk to commercial traffic (anything from the Victoria Clippers - 80 feet and running at 30 knots to 800 or 900 foot ships running at 16 to 25 knots) and when the AIS shows that I will be anywhere with in a mile of those vessels I prefer to confirm their intention to maintain course and speed so that I can adjust mine to get that 1 mile clearance. These arrangements are done via VHF. Most big ships do not monitor 16, and frequently do not have 13 up either so I contact them on the Vessel Traffic channel, and ask to move to 13, where I confirm their intentions.

There are times that I want to know current conditions in an area I am looking to go to or through. If I cannot find a vessel on the AIS, I will call the Vessel Traffic Control and ask if they have someone in that area that I can contact. I try to do that in an unbusy time for them as it is not their job requirement but a courtesy to me. Sometimes I can here them talk to the other vessel, some times they have to relay, and sometimes they will give me the vessel name so I can contact directly.

I have 3 VHF radios on board an all 3 are on always and set at 16, local VTS channel, and depending on where I am, 13 or maybe if I am traveling with someone, it will be on another little used channel so we can talk frequently and freely without bothering anyone. That radio will be set at 1 watt.

I also use on of the radios for a hailer. Mostly I use it in the listen function when entering a marina or coming to a dock. I can hear if someone is trying to tell me I should go to the other side or what ever. All of my radios have hailer/fog function and I use the auto fog horn several times a year.

I would not consider a VHF that does not have an AIS receive function in this day and age. It is so easy to get so much information that can make your life so much more comfortable.

The ICOM M-5-6 has a last call, 2 minute recording feature. I use that radio for monitoring 16 almost exclusively.

There are lots of discussions on this site about VHF use, and there are Utube videos about proper use. (Go to BoatUS.com for starters.)

Just in the last 2 trips I have been on I have seen very significant lack of proper use: Not having the radio on; Having it on and not turned up to be able to hear; Not calling "Securitay" when appropriate; Not responding to a "Securitay" call, even not having a radio on board, or having a working radio.

Personally, that really gets my ire up, because anyone of those MISS actions could cause an accident, property loss, injury or loss of life. Any one of us that can afford a boat, and are smart enough to get it off a trailer should also be smart enough and intelligent enough to learn to use and properly us a VHF. It could save a life, maybe even your own. It should also be part of the boat introduction to visitors or family that are along for the ride. It might be your life they are saving.

[ OK now, I will get down off my high horse. ] I know that there are people out there who want to take their boat and get away from it all, to not be involved and to hide in plain sight. I can appreciate that, but there is also a mariners creed and like the rule here says, "Let's just be nice."

Hope that helps some.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 12632
City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Still looking for a good, reliable, easy menu, VHF with:
1. 25 watt or greater loud hailer / auto fog.
2. AIS receive.
3. About the size of the Standard Horizon 2200

I am durrently looking at a SH GX2200 or an ICOM IC-M424 as possibilities.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electronics All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2
Page 2 of 2

 
     Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Page generation time: 0.0951s (PHP: 84% - SQL: 16%) - SQL queries: 22 - GZIP disabled - Debug on