Need new VHS radio ---- what to buy !

[ERABBIT]

I put a new antenea on the boat and radio has been iffy.....re-did the solder conection on the antenea.....still iffy........ got my old hand held out today and was seeing if it could recive my signal...... no-go.......dropped my output from HI to Lo  and it worked......think I've had this little ditty for a while now................. anyway looking for a new one........ what do you guys recomend........ this one came with the boat ( 1988 ) that I bought in 1996...........so it's way over time to upgrade..... ( I know Buckboard what a tightwad  ).......

[Kuba]

Icom or.standard horizon, don't make the cable, buy a cable, as thick as you can and as short as you can, Belden is the best make, plugs with silver coating if you decide to make it yourself:) Watch youtube on how to make antEnna cable. Silicone ends of plugs, moisture will travel through inside of cable like cancer if you get the connector wet!

Hth

[John E Powell]

I'd consider one of the new models that can send you position to rescue authorities in case of an emergency. The latest models are self-contained and don't require you to connect them to a GPS or an on-board network. It a nice safety feature to have.

 

Here's an example:

 

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=83&encProdID=8E6B84CBCC75E5A9C52CA71AA33BA6F5&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

 

Not sure about that link, if it doesn't work go to Standard Horizon, click on "products", then click on "fixed mount VHF", the you will see a link for "Explorer GPS (name) or GX1700 (model number)"

Edited July 3, 2013 by John E Powell

[ray koziatek]

save yer money sell the boat ya cant catch fish anyways.

[ERABBIT]

 GX1700

 

 Thanks I just order one......

[ERABBIT]

save yer money sell the boat ya cant catch fish anyways.

 Sure Ray I gota upgrade so I can get more money outa the boat sale............

[John E Powell]

 Thanks I just order one......

Heh, glad I could help...

[ERABBIT]

I got it in the mail the other day .......131 pages of info........boy is the better half going to be busy reading all that operating stuff so she call tell me how it works......

[FleetTracker]

What antenna would be best to couple with this 1700 VHF unit? Will be fishing Ontario out of Henderson. Mounting to a Penn Yan 245 Contender. Thanks!!!

[TileMan Dan]

I got same radio with an 8' antenna.

Gives you greater distance.

[FleetTracker]

Went with the Shakespeare Galaxy Series 5225-XT 8' 6dB Antenna.

[John E Powell]

Here's a great reference article on VHF Antenna choice and installation by Jim Hebert the moderator over at continuouswave.com. It's an understatement to say that Jim is very knowledgeable with marine electronics; his advice can be considered the gold standard:

 

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHFAntenna.html

 

Here's a previous article (previous to the above article) demonstrating that the antenna height has the greatest impact on the communication range of the radio. Getting the antenna as high as possible was the most important factor:

 

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHF.html

 

Here's a link to the follow-up discussion on the subject:

 

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/000985.html

 

Here's a more general article on VHF Marine Antennas:

 

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/antennaVertical.html

Edited December 26, 2013 by John E Powell

[Adk1]

When soldering do u just use standard lead free solder?