VHF Radio Help

[troyo]

I know, I know, i'm long overdue for this baby. What do I look for ? I've heard most units, except for the expensive ones, put out about 25 watts, and the difference is in the antennae ? Any recommendations ? I saw a pretty good deal on a Shakespeare on this site, has anyone ordered anything form the iboats mega mall ? Any problems with the order, quality of product ? Any help would be greatly appreciated ?

 

[cvlngineer]

Re: VHF Radio Help

I am also interested in this type of radio, but I know nothing about them. (i.e. what to look for in wattage, brands)

 

[singerjr]

Re: VHF Radio Help

I too am interested in purchasing a new radio. I saw the one, Troyo that you spoke about I think it's a good deal.<br /><br />I had radios on larger boats with an 8' antenna like the advertised one but I would like to have a 3 to 4 foot antenna.<br /><br />Will this receive and transmit well enough at 25 watts? How many miles on open water will a 3' antenna recieve and transmit.<br /><br />Also as I recall that 25 watts is recieve and transmit is less (4 watts?) am I correct?<br /><br />Please educate me and us - thanks

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Try looking for package deals which include radio, mounting bracket, antenna + cable and antenna mount. These tend to be a much better deal then having to buy each part. <br />The better radios are the ones that work for more than 5 minutes after getting wet and will state the weather ressitance on the box. <br />The radio wattage relates to the range of transmitting power. 25 watts usually means 25 miles on a good day on the open water. Most radios have a lower power setting as well for closer radio traffic. <br />The more expensive radios now have digital feature that allows you to hook up a G.P.S. directly to the raio. In an emergency it would send out an automatic and repeating distress with your exact G.P.S. location at the push of one button.<br />I have yet to find this digital feature on the smaller hand held radios.<br />I am in the market for a radio as well and have found that most good radios come with at least a one year warranty.<br /><br />Try to check stock before you place the order. Either than that, I have not had any online order problems.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Go to boatus web site click on "how to" there is a lot of info about radios and other equip. You will get answers here, but nothing beats an overall explaination on range,watts,etc.All radios have fcc limitations and guide lines.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Uniden or west marine model mc1020 <br /><br />Good Stuff Maynerd<br />inexpensive too

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Check out the units on the iBoats mega-mall.<br /><br />There's a package deal on one that looks to be a GREAT deal.<br /><br />Rex S.

 

[singerjr]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Still looking for someone with knowledge of the differences between the performance of a 3 to 4 foot antenna vs an 8 footer. Want to use a 3 footer.<br /><br />Anyone?........Thanks

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: VHF Radio Help

A 3' antenna has half the gain (range) of an 8 footer. If you don't motor too far from home, just get the 3 footer and mount it as high as possible. Shakespeare makes an excellent 36" metal whip antenna (Model 5240-R) that ought to do what you need. Your theoretical range is about 12 miles, depending on the height of the antenna. Most all fixed-mount VHF's have 2 positions: 1 watt for close in communication, and 25 watt to reach out and touch someone. You will find the 1 watt setting useful for most all of your traffic, and it's easier on the battery. I believe the average radio goes to 25 watts automatically when you punch the emergency (channel 16) button. Get familiar with the rules of the air and what channels to use, and get that sucker hooked up! And buy good stuff to begin with, it may save your caboose someday.

 

[14riverrat2]

Re: VHF Radio Help

OK VHF Radios - VHF Marine radio was designed to receive a signal on an interference free channel up to 20 miles using a 1 watt transmitter. Most radios sold today will operate on either 1 watt (low) or 25 watts (high). VHF is a line of sight signal. The receiving antenna must be able to "see" the tranmitting antenna (more or less). Considering the curvature of the earth and a reasonable antenna height, unobstructed range is limited to about 20 miles for which 1 watt is enough power. The limiting factor in range thus becomes antenna height. The higher the antenna the better your change of making contact. 8' or more is reccommended. 3 or 4' will limit range considerably.<br /><br />As far as radio choices, it's probably better to stick with the major brands, Standard Horizon, ICOM, Shakespear, etc. Beyond that it's a features thing. More features = more $$. Got to run, out of time. Good Luck!

 

[araiha]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Saw someone mention the radios with the calling feature in an emergency. This system is called DSC (digital selective calling) and the preferred way is to use it is with a GPS interface so that your posit is transmitted. However, no one will know who you are unless you get an MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identifier) through the FCC. If you get one of these radios, plst take the time to use it correctly.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: VHF Radio Help

There is more to antenna's that meets the eye...Longer does not mean better in all applications. Frequency and angle of dispersion plays a big part in length requirements.<br /><br /> Click me

 

[muglydog]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Both boatus and West Marine have excellent tutorials on electronic eqipment. you should read them and get an education before you buy. <br /><br />All equipment capable of transmiting a radio signal is restricted by the FCC. Marine VHF is limited to a maximm of 25 Watts. That means 25 Watts imput to the final power amplifier. There may or may not be 25 watts available to the antenna depending on the design of the individual transmitter. another important feature is the selectivity of the reciever section and its ability to recieve a weak signal (signal to noise ratio) <br />Antennas are rated by the amount of gain expresed in dB. an 18 inch antenna with a 6dB gain is better than an 8ft antenna with only a two dB gain. <br />VHF radio signals are line of sight signals, and can broadcast only to the horizon. Since the distance to the horizon is dependent on the height of the observer, in this case the antenna. The actual distance you can comunicate will depend upon the power output of the transmitter, the gain and height of the transmitting antenna, the sensitivity of the receiving radio as well as the height of the receiving antenna. Some atmospheric conditions can have an effect on communications but ---I digress. good luck.

 

[singerjr]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Thanks for all your help, ereryone! A lot of very good info from all. <br /><br />schematic the site you included had just what I'm looking for in a 4' antenna and the performance is only 1-1/2db less than an 8 footer.<br /><br />4' = 4.5db & 8' = 6db<br /><br />They have very high quality SS mounting hardware and everything I need to do a very good proffesionsl installation.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />No one person can know everything but when we get together we're pretty darn good<br />

 

[12Footer]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Many radios are simular if not identical under the case. The most important feature of any VHF installation is the selection and instalation of it's antenna.<br />Just ask any ham radio man, because this holds true throughout the radio spectrum.<br />You can find some great radios on the low-end price ranges that will perform just as well as the megabuks rigs...But if you buy a junk antenna, you have a junk system.And this is something we try to avoid when we rely so heavily on them, being heard when the need arises. Shakespear, Icom,Antenna Specialists are among the better brand names here. If there is any way to mount a full length whip antenna,I strongly advise you to mount one. The 3 footers,and other loaded antennas look much better on the boat, but they are severely lacking in performance. Here, you have but to ask the offshore gang.<br />Mount it as high as possable, and as far away from any other electronics.And at least 3 feet away from the radio itself.<br />When installed, ask a ham niehbor,marina, or old salt to check the instalation for proper operation before depending upon your new rig.<br />One other tip. Listen to it often to get an idea of proper radio edequite, and to get over the "first time jitters". This is also a good way to learn the terminology used.

 

[12Footer]

Re: VHF Radio Help

DB is everything.

 

[troyo]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Once the radio itself is installed, which I beleive is pretty basic wiring, lead, ground, etc., is there any more to it other than mounting and plugging in the antennae to the unit ?

 

[12Footer]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Yes, Troyo, there is one more thing, and that is to check the SWR (standing Wave Ratio) of the antenna. Anywhere they sell VHF radios, they should also sell an SWR meter. They are pricey for what they are,which is why I sugjested the marine-buddy, or ham buddy to check the install for you. Ordinarily, there will will be no adjustments needed, as the antennas are build to the exact wavelength it will be used on....But stuff happens. The coax can have a short in it. The new antenna can be defective. The radio may be defective.<br />You will need to stick this meter inline and key the mic,while observing the reading.<br />It will show forward RF power, and reflected RF power.<br />You want to have maximum forward, with minimum reflected power,or a low S.W.R.<br />Reflected power is wasted power, and if it is severe enough, it can destroy the final output IC in your new radio. This would be bad enough in itself,to waste all the time,effort and greenage on a marine radio,and have it be useless or burnt up...<br />Not to mention what you installed it for, only to let you down while the waves break over the transom.<br />A cheap meter will cost between 20-35 dollars. I do not own one,because of this fact. But I'm a ham, and have many ham friends who have meters which put the West Marine meters to shame,so I call on them,and offer to take them out fishin.<br />But even if you don't know a ham,you can trailer your boat to a marina, (call ahead and make arangements of course), and let them stick a meter inline to check it.<br />See, you may hook everything up, hear marine traffic, and even get a radio check..This is adviseable before pulling away from the dock...But this doesn't gaurantee your radio and antenna are operating at thier optimum.So check it with the meter initialy.

 

[pimentel15]

Re: VHF Radio Help

Install your antenna at highest point in the boat you can the physical curviture of earth<br />is what only keeps an vhf radio from working<br />further.however I will give you an advice<br />I use to go to bimini fishing alot found out <br />that vhf was very limited so I got my ham <br />technician license then bought a two meter<br />radio you see 2 meters isnt stop by curve<br />of the earth get it,so i got my wife to get a license then when I with to bimini we talk<br />on an open line the ham repeaters free all day or night free all the time smart ha.<br />and avantage is there always some one in<br />one of frequencys to help in emergencys.

 

[trollhole]

Re: VHF Radio Help

<br />I have a ray45. Bought it about 6 months ago. Have the Shakespear 3' antenna. I get about twelve miles range with it since I don't go out but one or two miles. The scan feature is great when I'm on lakes because I can hear what everybody is saying on every channel. Very small compact and water proof. It has been through many downpours in a center consol and no problems (no Fogging or shorts). Also it is capable of being flush mounted.<br /> Just my opinion take it with a grain of salt. <br />Go here to see there full line.Ray marine<br />I bought mine a Cabellas for 145$ and it came with a free antenna.