Vhf Radio and Antenna

[JasonB]

Now that we have moved and will be spending more boating time in a high traffic river, it seems time to look at getting a VHF. I don't want to spend a fortune and have been looking at the $85-$100 fixed mnount models as I'm not sue a handheld will get me the 5+ mile range I want. I would also like to stay witha 5' antenna if possible. Any suggestions?Looks like the Si-tex mariner, a Cobra model, and a uniden solara fit the price range, but I don't like the non-waterproofness of the sitex.Antenna selection looks like Wave Mater or Shakespeare so far.

[Stumpknocker]

Go with the Standard Horizons for just a few bucks more... maybe $159 or so. Seems to be generally considered a tougher unit than the Uniden. Although Uniden will work ok. I have had one. It filled with moisture and drowned. The Standard Horizons has a 3 year warranty against drowning.

[Sea Six]

I agree - go with the Standard Horizon Quest or the ICOM M302. These will at least support DSC and NMEA input to GPS if you get fancy in the future.

[JasonB]

GPS link would be a far future possibility, but since there is no coast guard within a few hundred miles of my boating, DSC is low on the list. My biggest reasons for wanting VHF is that a) cell phone reception in the area is lousy b) towboats come through every couple hours -would be nice to know they are coming, and radio them if you are in their way and having problems c) the local marina listens on VHF to render assistance if needed. A handheld might fit my needs ok, but I'm concerned about range. I need 5 miles at a minimum, preferable 5-10.

[Sea Six]

DSC is not just a feature for calling the coast guard. It is intended to reduce the traffic on hailing channels by allowing you to directly call others when you know their MMSI number. The GPS interface then allows you to see where they are located. The reverse is also true when you push the red distress button on your radio. Your MMSI number and location are sent to everyone with DSC, not just the coast guard. I think there will be many more applications for DSC once more people have it. I can't see buying a brand new radio without it.

[Dunaruna]

I could be wrong but I believe merchant ships are required to monitor and respond (even if its just to relay to the CG).

[Boatist]

DSC is required for any new VHF Radio to get FCC type acceptance. So if it does not have DSC it is a old design. With a hand held you may be able to receive at a longer distance but with out a high mounted and high gain antenna your will never get 10 miles.I like both Icom and standard for Fixed radios.For antennas I think the Shakespeare 5225 8 foot 6DB antenna is great. Many of the cheaper antennas just do not hold up very well.

[ThomWV]

Boatists had hit the nail on the head.Do not screw around with a dirt cheap radio in today's world of generally inexpensive radios. Get one made by either ICOM or Standard Horizon. Don't bother looking at anything else.As for DSC, if you buy a radio today it will be DSC capable. Hook it up - its just two wires - and then forget about it. Its usefulness is greatly overblown but as long as you have it anyway you might as well hook it up. You can get your MMSI number free either from the Boat US, Tow Boats US, or Sea Tow websites.The range of a VHF is limited by its antenna heigh and other things. You have no control over the other things so you had better do as well as you can with the part you can control. That means a quality antenna ($100) and a sturdy antenna mount ($30). If you plan to skimp in this area you might want to question why it is you want a radio at all.I guess I should say this too. Either a VHF or a PFD is the most important piece of safety equipment on your boat. They are two items most likely to assist in saving your life or the life of someone else either aboard your vessel or a vessel you might assist. These are the two items where you shouldn't consider anything but the best. It is that simple. If you want to save money in boating save it on the water skis or the fishing rods or forgo a couple of cases of beer, but when it comes to the safety of the crew do it right.Thom

[Boatist]

ThomWell said about the Saftey gear. I think it actualy is not any more expensive also as you will not be replaceing it in two years with a better unit. I would add Fire Extinguishers and a bucket.

[KRS]

Mount the antenna as high as possible, and get the longest one possible. I would trade transmission wattage for antenna length and height any day.Be sure the antenna is meant for marine use. All vehicle mounts require a ground plane to offset the vertical beam in order to acheive proper Standing Wave Radio output. If you use a vehicle antenna, the boat won't have the metal roof, trunk, etc to provide a ground plane.Make sure all of your grounds are solid, and use the same gauge wire as your hot leads. Tin the leads and encapsulate in weatherproof covers.As for the handheld idea... It might work okay until that time when the battery dies and you need it. Or it falls overboard. Get the mobile unit and even a 12 v battery that can't start your engine will run the radio for hours.Then, be sure someone other than you knows how to use it.I am a licensed HAM radio operator, a member of our County Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, a RACES operator, and I operate public safety radio equipment (Fire department) all the time. Just thought I'd state my experience for you.

[JasonB]

Thanks for all the info and experience. Looks like I need to do lots more research.

[Boatist]

JasonBIf you can fit a 8 foot 6db antenna on your boat that is great. I would not go with a bigger 9 db antenna on a small power boat because the horziontal radiation angel is so low that when the boat pitches and rolls your signal will cut out. Antenna height makes very little difference also. Boat to Boat with a antenna height of 10 feet (8 ft antenna mounted 2 feet above the water) range is about 10 miles. If you raised your antenna to 25 feet you would get about 11 miles. See chart on link. http://mastercatalog04.westmarine.com/0075.asp I feel big difference in antenna quailty because I have helped so many People fix their radios. Every year we go to the ocean and Camp inside a safe harbor. Over the years we have been going their We have made a lot of friends and helped many with their radio problems. Now almost every year some boater comes by and ask If I would mind helping then with their radio problem. I enjoy helping people determine their radio problem. I carry a 30 foot extension coax and a standing wave bridge for the 2 meter ham band. Most of the problems turn out to be either a bad PL259 connection or a broken antenna. The PL259 problems can be they tried to solder it and shorted the inter wire to the outer braid or the did not solder and over time the wire have turned green and not making good connections. Most of the problems turn out to be a broken or damaged antenna. When we hook their radio up to my Shakespeare Galaxy 5225 antenna their radio springs to life. The smaller more felexable antenna just have a lot of problems on boats running ocean waters. Most of the time it is not their radio. Have seen some Speaker and mic problems.

[18rabbit]

I would not overlook DSC. It has nothing to do with the Coast Guard monitoring it. It is a significant piece of safety equipment that has everything to do with automating emergency contact and your location, whether it be ship-to-USCG or ship-to-ship. Right now, ship-to-ship is in place, the CG is online in some areas, will be in all areas very soon (this year, next year?). I would definitely put myself in the DSC venue. If you venture into areas with limited VHF contact, it would be foolish not to carry a GPS enabled EPIRB.

[JasonB]

Ok, I've settled on a specific DSC capable radio and am going to go ahead and order a GPS to go with it that will interface. I'm still twisted over the antenna though. My first choice was an 8ft Shakespeare, but that is really going to be huge in my 19' boat. I have a relative that works on the river in question and says the range on the 36" squatty type antennas is excellent in this area. Looks like the only ones I can find are Shakespeare, Tram, and Wave Mast-er....

[Sea Six]

Check out the Shakespeare 4400, a 3' stainless whip with a 15' RG-58 lead to your radio.

[Boatist]

If what you want is a 3 foot Stainless Steel antenna then that is what you should get.I have a 21 foot Runabout and love My 8 foot 5225 Shakespeare antenna. I monted it where when laid down it lays on the gunnel out of the way.Your radio will transmit 25 watts with the 3 foot stainless it has a gain of 3DB so your effective power is 50 watts. With a 8 foot 6DB gain antenna your effect power in 100 watts.Double the effective power does not mean you can talk twice as far but it may be the difference in talking to a station 8 miles head around several bends of the river, over levees and thru a bunch of trees.If you do go with the 3 foot stainless try and get the bass of the antenna above the level of any obstructions on your boat.When you meet a ship or barge on the river and hale him to see which side he would like you to go all you need is 1 watt. Coming into the gas or bait dock again all you need is 1 watt.Enjoy the spring and coming summer. Remember you are required to monitor channel 16 when radio is not in use. This is for everyones saftey. So if a boat 1/4 mile from you hit something and is sinking or has caught fire you can here his MAYDAY call help save his crew, instead of him waiting for the Coast Guard coming form 25 miles away.Have Fun

[Richard Petersen]

Antenna can be a simple BASE LOADED 4' fold down on the deck in front of the windshield or along side it, ( looks neater and is out of foward vision ). Put VHF unit in the glove box with a 90 degree RF connection on the back. Neater package. VHF in glove box and the cell phone in a ZIP LOCK freezer bag INSIDE your pocket. Does not get any better.