Marine radio

[bopper4]

I am looking at purchasing a new marine radio for the boat. Looking at cobra or uniden. Those of you that run marine bands in your personal boat, do you hook it up to your gps to use for distress calls and such? If so can I or how do I hook it up to a humminbird 858c? The lady at hummingbird said it ties into your puck but I don't see any other wires with my puck.

[Northlander]

It doesnt need to be hooked up to anything to send distress calls. Uniden over Cobra for me. No matter what get a good solid 8' antena.

[h8go4s]

Although I don't have a marine radio, I do know that my 898cSI has the feature that sends the GPS location when the radio distress button is pushed. There is an extra lead at the connector end of the GPS antenna cable that you would hook up to the radio somewhere. I don't know if the 858 has that, but check your owner's manual.

[bopper4]

I did a bunch or reading and actually just found the cable you speak of. I had it wrapped up In electrical tape which would have been why I missed it. I got her from here and thanks for replies. There is actually some pretty cool features one could use when hooked up to the gps. Not necessary but I guess if the radio has the features why not use them. The unddens seem a lot more user friendly as well so I think I am leaning that way.

[Jim Almquist]

I have a Uniden Solara and it dose the job. Like Northlander said get a decent 8' antenna if you want good reception. I picked up a Shakespeare that ran around $50.00 that works great. Make sure you soldier the tip according to the instructions.

[Valv]

Uniden over Cobra. I had Cobra CBs and VHF and they are really dump.

[Transporter]

It is called DSC, or digital selective calling. It has a distress switch that sends out a signal to search and rescue, basically a boats version of a 911 call. In order to make it work you need an MMSI number that can be obtained for free from someplace like Boat U.S. That number is programmed into the radio, you also need to interface a GPS output into the radio. With these things done the radio will broadcast location and vessel specific info when the distress switch is activated to search and rescue agencies. It is rather simple to connect if you are familiar with NEMA interfacing and will give more info than a MAYDAY call.