Marine Radio ?

[MIDNIGHT777]

I am going to put a fixed mount marine radio in the new boat. I have the following questions:

1. What's the difference in the $100.00 radios compared to the $200.00 plus radios

2. What size antenna would you suggest? What's the difference?

3. What brand of radio and antenna?

Thanks, Matt

[PerchJerker]

I don't know much about the differences between high dollar and low dollar radios. Some of it is features, like wireless mics and multiple mics, and some of it is quality of the components used.

A few months ago I replaced my vhf radio, I went with an ICOM 402s for under $150. From what I could find, ICOM and Standard Horizon radios rated and tested the best, both in mid-priced and high-priced radios. Most important features for me were a big display that was easy to read, and a good speaker that was easy to hear.

The first antenna I ever had was a 3 foot steel whip, every one since then has been an 8 foot fiberglass. Height is the most important aspect of long range transmission (it's line of sight). The general concensus is that you're better off going with a cheaper radio and a more expensive antenna to get the best performance. I have a Shakespeare Centennial 5101 and have been happy with it - had it for several years now.

Couple tips - for best performance hardwire your vhf directly to your starting battery with 12 ga. wire and use a fuse on the positive side close to the battery. Keep your radio and antenna 3 feet or more apart. Try to keep your radio power and antenna away from your sonar / gps units, cables, antennas as much as possible. Granted this is not always possible, and in my current boat they are packed really close together, but keep it in mind while rigging. Good luck.

[Satchmo]

The best advise I can give on radio selection is to buy one that is advertised as WATERPROOF not water resistant. No matter how hard you try in the marine environment, these units will be exposed to a lot of water and condensation sooner or later. This will be the main differance between most $100 and $200 units.

[PerchJerker]

I was in my boat today and remembered another key feature I had to have in my new vhf, and that is channel up and down buttons on the mic.

Also, out of curiousity I looked and my vhf is submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes, which I believe is the waterproof standard they use for vhfs.