Association Forum - What kind of VHF do you have and why?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

What kind of VHF do you have and why?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Member Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/07/2007 : 10:27:35

We're starting to look around for a new VHF to replace our current one. I'm looking for recommendations based on these requirements:

It must have DSC capability. I think all new base station VHFs have this now, but I'm not sure.

The squelch must work properly. This is our biggest complaint about our current radio (Shakespeare). It seems to get into a state after running for a while of constant squelch breaks, which drive us crazy.

The buttons must work properly. This is our second biggest complaint with our current radio. The buttons will sort of "pook" in and stay down due to the vinyl switch cover catching on it's surrounding hole. It makes it very hard to change volume, channels, etc. when it does, and to me, that's dangerous.

Ease of use. Rita has had a hard time figuring out how to just turn our current one on and off, and sometimes, such as listening to the weather channels then wanting to go back to monitoring 16, she finds it simpler to just turn it off at the breaker panel and turn it back on again. Once again, this seems dangerous to me, the operation of the radio shouldn't be a mystery to the crew.

Waterproof, at least to splashes & spray, if it needed to be submersible, I've got bigger problems than a radio.

Nice to have list:
WHAM capable, or remote microphone capable, preferably wireless.

External speaker capable.

A face mount type so I can hang it on a movable bracket that swings out into the companion way along with the GPS without the back of the unit banging the inside of the cabin when I swing it back in. This means the unit isn't very deep (like a standard car stereo), but it's sort of extra wide and tall, but not very thick. Not sure if that's a good description, think of something that looks like 5-6 CD cases piled on top of each other, and the face of the unit is on the same face the CD label would be.

We also carry an older Uniden handheld VHF which I just had re-celled, so the batteries will last a whole day again.

What kind of radio to you have, and why?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3448 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 11:05:02

My VHF came with the boat from the PO. It is a Std Horizon base unit mounted under the steps. If I were to get a replacement, it would be one with a wired or wireless full functioning digital display mic. I want a VHF that is readily accessible and yet...do not want to necessarily clog up the companionway. I already have a fishfinder that swings out into the companionway and ...rather not have another piece of gear do same thing. Besides, if the remote can do basically everything from the cockpit, then there is no reason to have ready access to the base unit. I would check out pro/con of the remote wired and wireless units. Wireless sounds like a great way to go - who wants a wire ! But a wired remote may have addl functions ...may even turn base unit on and off as well. I think one of the wired units I saw can have a plug-in jack in the cockpit area and so not necessarily strung directly from the base unit. Each Mfr may not offer both remote options and so...if one remote is favored over another...that might sway me to one VHF radio over another.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 11:40:59

We have an icom 304 VHF and an icom M34 handheld. I like the quality of icom and find both easy to use. Our main unit is in the cabin and primarily serves as the GPS-DSC unit in case we get into trouble or can lend assistance to someone else in trouble. For most actual voice communication we use the handheld.

I am not a fan of the mounts that swing to the cockpit door. When the weather and going get tough your hatchboards should be in and the cabin sealed. I want my key instruments in the cockpit and for me that means the VHF handheld, GPS chartplotter and depth meter.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 11:54:03

We chose, as only VHF, the Icom IC-M2A hand held unit several years ago. It has a clip-on-belt which is used to clip the unit to galley's shelf for easy access and use. Besides being waterproof, mobile, good squeal control, economical (+/-$200) and simple to operate, it monitors channel 16 as well as the channel of your choice simultaneously. Operation is basically with 2 buttons plus up/down and volume control. FYI In Canada you must have an operation license.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 15:25:12

Randy,
You make a good point about the hatch boards needing to be down in nasty weather. That's exactly the time you want all your instruments handy as well as your boat buttoned up. I haven't mounted anything yet, but I'm having trouble finding a place for my GPS where it's both out of the way and still easily in view. I guess there's an advantage for those of you with wheel steering instead of tiller. Kinda hard to mount the GPS on the tiller. I think the ability of a remote microphone controlling the whole radio is a good idea, then you can mount the radio pretty much anywhere out of the way, the only problem then is getting DSC hooked up to it which is why I was thinking about the swing arm with both mounted on it.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 18:12:58

Granted the ideal place to mount your VHF/GPS would be close to the helm however with the tiller the choices are limited. I thought long and hard about where to install mine.

My thoughts were, I wanted to keep the VHF and GPS close together to make the DSC hook up easier. I also wanted to keep the units below deck so they would be protected from the elements and thief when not sailing. Its nice to have the GPS in the cabin at night while anchored so to hear the anchor alarm.
Yes, when the weather gets bad and you have to close everything up that does cause some problems. I have a hand held VHF and GPS if needed. My thoughts were that if the weather is bad enough to close everything up chances are your going to be steering to what the weather allows anyway and would not be following the GPS. So I weighted the odds and mounted the VHF on the head bulkhead and put the GPS on a swing arm.
If this was a blue water boat and I was going offshore I would have second thoughts on this.

I chose the ICOM 302 VHF. Its simple to operate and has many of the features you were looking for. I did hook up the DSC with the GPS.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 20:22:11

Point well taken about the lack of mounting options for tiller boats. I wonder if there is some way to mount one of the Garmin 378/478 units to swing out from the coaming box. They have a nice size screen in a compact casing. That mounting would also get it closer to the skipper.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 20:37:26

I was thinking similar thoughts about the coaming box, specifically the starboard one because I also want to hook up my soon-to-be-delivered Autohelm ST1000 to the GPS as well, and it's going to be mounted on that side.

We have a GPSMap 276C that I just picked up a few weeks ago (love it). And I think it might fit inside the coaming box on a pivot arm, not sure, I'll have to take a look next time I'm down at the boat. The various mounts that are available would let me disconnect it from the mount easily to take it inside for anchor alarm watch, and the battery should last all night (I sent my original back on warranty, it would only hold half a charge, and ordered an extra as well). If it's pouring down rain I can swing it inside the coaming and still be able to see it, at least from the port side, not so sure about starboard. I'll think on this some more. We probably won't do more than one or two trips before winter sets in anyway, so I'm not in any particular rush.

Tom,
Does your radio get in the way of the drop board?

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 21:23:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Tom,
Does your radio get in the way of the drop board?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No, the fit was good, no problems in the head either.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 06:39:27

I've been using a Standard Hoizon with remote mike for about 6 years. I bought one the first year they came out. I consider it one of the top four upgrades I've made on my C25. Mine of course is not wireless but is mounted and stored in the portside coaming box.

The radio itself is of excellent quality with fully funcional squelch control, two weather channel presets, two alternate channel presets, and a push button for both channel 16 and 9. It does not have DSC but the newer models have this feature. I higly recommend the SH radio for its features, price, and reliabiity.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3448 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 07:42:54

Al,

You are right about DSC on the newer models and remotes. I noticed that the other day regarding the wired remote with the Std Horizon.

Do you know when it indicates for the new Std Horizon wired remote that it has all functions on the remote...does that also control the on-off of the base unit...so that the complete electrical load can be turned off from the wired remote ?

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2007 : 06:59:23

Larry,

The remote I have controls all radio functions from the cockpit, including on-off, except the squelch.

I'm real pleased with this radio. I only wish Standard Horizon was still making individual speed and depth instruments. My sounder just went on the fritz. I'll be sending it in for repair after I store the boat this winter. Hmmmmmm, that's about three days away a I think about it.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2007 : 10:08:16

So, I'm narrowing down my choices.

I like the Icom IC-M504 & 604, they seem to be top of the line models and have a price to show it. They're only available with wired remotes which isn't a deal breaker for me, but I like the idea of the wireless remote. When connected to your GPS for DSC, it'll also provide Lat/Lon, course & speed on the big display which would be handy in an emergency situation, especially the Lat/Lon even though DSC would be taking care of that for you. From the wired remote you can control the radio (not sure of being able to power on/off the radio remotely).

I also like the Uniden UM525, not as pricey as the Icom, but it doesn't have the specs of the Icom either. The Icom has better power, better spurious signal rejection, well, better everything...except price and no wireless remote. The Uniden WHAM microphones can be used as intercoms using the 2.4GHz band (like wireless home phones), and while Uniden won't give me a distance that they'll work away from the boat (I asked), I suspect I'd be able to use it as an ashore "intercom" within 1/4-1/2 mile (same as home phones on 6.4GHz). The WHAM can't turn on/off the radio remotely, but you can control all other functions. This isn't a deal breaker for me either, and for the price of an Icom 504, I can have a Uniden and WHAMx4 microphone. If it weren't for the pesky subpar specs of the Uniden I'd just go for this one.

I have all winter to mull this over, I'm in no hurry, there's nothing "wrong" with our Shakespeare other than we hate it, and I have my Uniden handheld with a freshly re-celled battery pack so I still feel safe out there.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2007 : 16:03:37

Speaking of specs, the Icom draws three times the amperage of the Uniden on standby (1.5 vs .5). That's more significant to you than to me... I got the Uniden 525 and like its function and performance.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2007 : 09:41:12

Dave,
Can you tell me any highlights about the 525 that you particularly like, anything you don't?

Thanks!

Edited by - on

Captain Ballast
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2007 : 19:25:36

I have the Si-Tek Mariner. Cheap, waterproof, and programmable. For any boat larger that 25' I recommend a cordless unit for the cockpit. You can find a good set-up for under $300 from www.hamiltonmarine.com

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2007 : 20:15:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Dave,
Can you tell me any highlights about the 525 that you particularly like, anything you don't?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Honestly, not really... I guess I liked its shape for the overhead mounting location (under the hardtop above the helm--not at all like my C-25), and the price was decent. The display is large and easy to read, and everything else works easily and well. I use the "Tri-watch" most of the time to monitor 9, 13, and 16 while communicating to bridge operators and the boats around them on 13. I have no need for the wireless mike, so didn't get one, but I could imagine doing so on the sailboat.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2008 : 20:36:35

So I finally got our new radio mounted today. Here are pictures of the install as well as the WHAM wireless remote:

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2008 : 21:29:30

Yup--that's my radio... Good work--you'll like it.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.