whats a good VHF

[racerx]

now that i scored some glass i know better what my budget will be for electronics. so i am lookin at getting a VHF for the welly.you guys got any recomendations? dont need nutin fancy. just a good one that will last. i would like to flush mount it, but i not sure yet.

[Blu_Lunch]

Go with Icom I've have been a ham radio operator for nearly 20 years and I've owned quite a few Icom VHF and HF radios they are heavy duty well built rigs that last and will take a beating. *Take the time and properly get the radio set-up right the first time don't be afriad to ask questions....Ted http://www.icomamerica.com/marine/

[reelapeelin]

I installed and used a small Ratheon (RayMarine now) VHF for a friend of mine...I's reall impressed w/ that unit...compact size w/ GOBBS of POWER!!...now just don't "go cheap" on the antenna...get a good one (Skakespeare mid-price level is good)...it's as important as the radio ;) :) :)...

[Blu_Lunch]

Good point about the antenna and don't use cheap co-ax get the cable thats rated for 157 MHZ...........

[macojoe]

I also have the Raymarine and think its a nice unit!

[Airslot]

We've got an Apelco (raytheon) on my Dads boat thats been outside for 12 years and works like new. I've been using Uniden for 3 years and like it. The Albe has Standard w/ no problems. The only 2 radios that I know of personally having problems were Icoms, 1 charter and one rec. The were fixed promptly.

Airslot

[Pipe_Dream]

Get one that is weather alert capable -- you can monitor Channel 16 (or whatever) but tell the unit to also monitor your NOAA weather radio channel for alerts. Alarm goes off, and it kicks right into the alert. It's a nice feature around here, with afternoon pop-up thunderstorms and such.

[racerx]

good advice. tx guys

[TheTinMan]

Make sure you get one with DSC (digital selective calling). When set-up properly and hooked to your GPS it's a great piece of safety equipment.

In a distress situation you press the "DISTRESS" button and a distress message with your location is sent directly to the CG and any other boats around that have DSC.

You can also use DSC for "selective calling". It's kind of like a phone, call's other DSC units. It elimintaes the need to "hail" on 16.

I think all ICOM's come with DSC. ICOM's or Standard Horizon's are the two I would look at.

[Hammerhead]

I hava Uniden Solara DSC. It's submersible scan-uic-alert. Bought it at Boaters World for about 120.oo.

[turbinedoctor]

I have an Icom 422 with DSC calling and a Skakespeare 5102 antenna. I did a radio check after hook up and was talking to another boat 70 miles away like he was next to me. Most radios now come with the DSC.

[sfprovyn]

Over the years I've probably owned ( and fried) them all and while some are better than others I think the most important feature is that they are waterproof .Very few actually are . I have a Standard on my big boat, an ICOM on my V-20 and a hand held ICOM on my little Mako 17 and all three are totally immersion water proof..Frank

[76GMC1500]

We've got the Uniden 525 on our boat. *It's functionally the equivalent of the Icom 504 but half the price. *I think it's got a little less power on the hailer if that's important, but definately worth half the price. *We coupled it to a Commander 8' antenna. The antenna makes the radio.