New VHF Radio?

[cohochinook]

I need to get a new VHF Radio for my boat. I have heard about DIS which is a feature that I'd like to have. The Marina I deal with was suggesting a Standard Horizon Matrix GX 2000. I suspect this runs around $400?

I have a budget of about $200 to $250. My boat is a 17.5 foot Campion 492. It also had been suggested to buy a Uniden radio?

Any recommendations or advice would be appreciated?

 

[nedarb2]

icom is the top tier brand if you ask me, followed by standard horizon which is starting to make a great name for itsself aswell though.
Theres some great radios, and alot, in the under 250$ range.
I would be more concerned of getting a good antenna with that radio if you dont have one already.

Ive got the icom IC-M422 and love it. Wait around for a boating store advertising a sale and they almost always have their radios on for 50$ off or so, if you dont need one asap.

 

[Shermanater]

The Harbor Chandler in nanaimo has a sale in may (not sure of the date this year) and they always have deals on electronics. If your in the area you should check it out.

 

[TheRock]

The antenna is so important.. here is a great thread from the past, worth reading... http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12291&SearchTerms=vhf,antenna

 

[TheRock]

Found an old post of mine...

TheRock
Advanced Member


Canada
400 Posts
Posted - 05/20/2009 : 09:00:10
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I did a search and found it.. Shakespeare VHF 5225
http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5079&SearchTerms=antenna

I took the advise from this thread and bought this antenna, Shakespeare VHF 5225 to replace our cheap one we had on our boat t that had pour reception and transmission.. well.. the difference is unbeleivable!! Our boat parked in my back yard we were picking up radio conversations from the Fraser river !

Highly reccomend getting a good antenna !

Here is the actual post I am refering to... I took his advise and it was bang on !

"Fishinnut
Average Member


USA
154 Posts
Posted - 12/28/2006 : 09:01:48
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Make sure and get the more expensive antenna. This is night and day on a VHF radio. Buy the 40 or 50 dollar one and don't expect to broadcast far. I would get the Shakespeare VHF 5225. You will not be sorry. Its about $135.00. I have another friend that showed me this. I bought the cheap one and then bought a good one. Between both of us, we CAN talk where line of sight does not exist.

We have talked to each other from opposite sides of Whidbey Island where the land is really high and I was in the Strait of Juan deFuca in the mouth, about 2-3 miles inland, while he was 20 miles south down the coast. There were huge mountains in the way and we talked easily. I thought he was pulling my leg until I asked the other guys in the other boats if he was really there. They verified it. In fact we have guys hail us to relay messages to the guys with the poor antennas as they cannot broadcast out to be reached.

The most expensive radio does no good with a cheap antenna. Oh and get the 8' antenna. The better antenna is heavier too.
"



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Edited by - TheRock on 05/20/2009 09:06:34

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by cohochinook

I need to get a new VHF Radio for my boat. I have heard about DIS which is a feature that I'd like to have. The Marina I deal with was suggesting a Standard Horizon Matrix GX 2000. I suspect this runs around $400?

I have a budget of about $200 to $250. My boat is a 17.5 foot Campion 492. It also had been suggested to buy a Uniden radio?

Any recommendations or advice would be appreciated?

I currently have an ICOM602... love it!
I have also owned Standard Horizon and Uniden - no problem with any, but I probably would lean towards that Matrix GX2100 "AIS" or the ICOM603? Nice radios - nice features!

Just IMHO!

 

[Peahead]

Cohochinook, check out this thread on VHF radios in the Sport fishing 'Open' forum. Class D vs DSC VHF radios are discussed

http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14678

Also, as far as antenna goes check out a 'Digital' brand antenna. Amazing performance but expensive. Over 200 bucks with the stainless mounting hardware and coax. I have conversed with that 8' Digital antenna and my ICOM radio from Ferrier Pt surfline all the way to Tahsis village with not too much problem. And that was with a Digital antennas base only 3' off the water!! On a smaller boat with antenna low to the water, your signal is not as good so that was amazing to me. Those of you who know Esperanza that distance is NOT at all line of site shot as Esperanza and Tahsis inlet are very fjord-like with long twisting and narrow with tall mountains.

 

[TenMile]

I have a Standard Horizon Phantom 1000. It's a Black Box style radio. All of the electronics are included in the black box which is hidden out of site behind my dash. All of the radio controls are done via the handset. Keeps things a little harder for the bad guys to take and saves space on your console. I've had it now for 4 years and it works great. Has the DSC feature.

TenMile
<'((((><

 

[codfather]

cohochinook, Harbour Chandler will be holding there Pirates Day sale May 8th. They will have a huge selection on radios and all the reps will be abel to answer all or your questions.

Get in line sooner than later, they always have a few door crashers.

I'm going to be buying a new radio aswell with the DSC so I can hook it up to my LXC 110 thru the NMEA 0183 so it will talk to the radio.

 

[cheech]

Last season I got an Eagle VHF with DSC from The Harbour Chandler for $100. One brand to stay away from is Uniden.

 

[beemer]

Icom or standard horizon would be my choice. Standard horizon units are definitely more waterproof , but the baffling that makes this possible leads to muffling when the mikes are wet or have high condensation. Depends on your usage. Open boat or not.

If you want good quality with a good price go for the Icom IC-M304 and a decent antenna as mentioned by "the rock " like the Shakespeare VHF 5225. All in it will be about 350.00.

good luck

beemer