Marine VHF advice

[shrimpman steve]

Eric the MM has been very gracious and offered to kick in some money for a VHF for the dirty shrimp. I have a hand held but but all parties involved would feel safer with the added distance of a fixed unit with a bigger antenna. what features should I look for in a console mounted unit and are they truly better then a handheld. The handheld of coarse would not go to waste as I fugure it will be a good back up.

Thanks

[Tuna Tales]

Steve:

I love ICOM...

I would also suggest this antenna:
Shakespeare 5225XT Galaxy 8 ft VHF Marine Antenna


Good luck...


Joe T.

[jerseyhunter]

You can just mount an antennae and hook it up to your handheld depending on the handheld. But a back up is always a feeling of comfort. Esp. if it's not hooked up to the boat's elec.

[MrAC1980]

I have no idea the right terminology, but look into one with the "hidden" channels, like channel 1-1,2,3. channel 2-1,2,3... etc.

[spearo]

Def get a dashboard one with the "distress" button. Forget what it's actually called but you register the unit with the CG and if the boat is going down you hit the button and it automatically transmits SOS with GPS coordinates. Well worth the extra couple of bucks.

[Harpoon]

No need to buy new. Plenty of antennas and radios on Craigslist.

[CaptMarc]

Spearo that is a great feature to have for the VHF. You didn't mention it, but probably to it for granted he knew, but it has to hooked up to a GPS unit. The ICOMs are the best for me.

[Capt. Debbie]

The USCG does NOT monitor that distress signal. Do not think of it as a poor mans EPIRB. It's NOT.

Originally Posted by spearo

Def get a dashboard one with the "distress" button. Forget what it's actually called but you register the unit with the CG and if the boat is going down you hit the button and it automatically transmits SOS with GPS coordinates. Well worth the extra couple of bucks.

[Gerry Zagorski]

ICOM is definately one of the better brands... The feature you want to make sure it has is DSC, Read up on it in this link http://www.vhf-dsc.info/what.html

Best to flush mount it permanent in the dash but if you don't want to cut holes in your dash most have brackets too.

Since VHF operates on line of site, the higher the antenna the longer your reach is going to be. Probably not as important to you since you stay in close but very important if you plan on going offshore.

As far as the antenna mount, don't cheap out here... Tell Eric to spring for the metal one since the plastic ones tend to break when they are subjected to the boucing around you do in the bay and oceans.

[shrimpman steve]

Again. Thanks for all the responses