VHF Radio Replacement

[sailsmanship]

Looking to replace my old VHF radio. Anyone have an opinion on what brand is best? Icom, Standard Horizon, Uniden, Etc? Also any new type of features that are a must?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: VHF Radio Replacement

If you don't want to spend a lot and get a good radio the Cobra does a great job.Has all the functions of the more expensive radios and is GPS connectable.
I have one i bought this year and really like it.

 

[dingbat]

Re: VHF Radio Replacement

I've got an ICOM 504 which I realy like. They're a little on the high side but it's my life line back to the world and I will not leave home without one.

As far as features are concerned I would highly recommend DSC if you boat on bigger waters or like to "buddy up" with other boats. Some units will communincate with your chart plotter and show the locations of the various DSC user on your chartplotter.

 

[andy6374]

Re: VHF Radio Replacement

Standard Horizon and Icom have the biggest number displays. Both are the "Standard" when it comes to VHF's.

A DSC capable radio is nice too (most are now anyways).

Standard Horizon Quest is nice radio. I just upgraded to the Quest-X (a bit better than the Quest) and I like it alot. I have it tied to my GPS/Plotter via NEMA and it displays my lat/lon, time and speed as well.

Just remember a radio is only as good as its antenna. Get a digital antenna while you are upgrading.

 

[Boatist]

Re: VHF Radio Replacement

All new type accepted radios must have DSC, required by FCC to be type accepted. I Really like ICOM brand but it really hard to find a bad radio these days. Radio tests I have seen show that Icom get closer to the allowed 25 watts than most. The Coast Guard is not officily monitoring DSC distress call on chanel 71 yet.

I agree with Andy that a Quality Antenna is really More important than the radio it self. SHAKESPEARE Galaxy 5225 antenna is great and an antenna to compare all other to. When I upgraded my antenna from a Shakespeare 497 to the Galaxy 5225 it nearly doubled the stations I could here and have never got a bad report back form a boat I could here.