hi there this is my first post
when buying a VHF what are the specs that need to be cinsidered ?
Daniel
Are you looking at a handheld VHF (limited range 3-4 miles) or a fixed 25W VHF with external antenna?
If it's a fixed VHF then definately by a DSC VHF as they are now the norm, and good brands are Icom and Raymarine amongst others.
Then you start moving to a feature list like waterproof or splash proof, functionality of the MIC (inbuilt keys/functions etc), NMEA inputs for GPS positioning etc.
Give us some more info on what you need :)
skip i have both a fixed vhf and also a handheld vhf. With the handheld i tried a radio check with valletta port control from 15 miles away from the grandharbour. Result was that i made contact with them without any problems.
Kane 15 miles out isn't a good test for a handheld. Reason being is that Turetta sits very high up offering a very clear line of sight on the East coast out from Grandharbour. I guarantee that if you try and call another vessels which has an antenna the same height as you off the sea you will not reach him past a few miles. Larger vessels stand a better chance and ground stations which have their antenna's highly elevated are the best.
To compare I managed to call Valletta Port from 42nm ESE out from Grand Harbour but there's no way you will get anything like that on the West coast, or up North.
http://members.toast.net/boatguy/vhfant.htm
when in distress it is them you need to call skip.
Yes but you won't always manage to reach them, that's my point with a handheld. Weather conditions also effect transmission and if someone transmits over you with a more powerful VHF you're buggered.
DON'T rely on a handheld for anything beyond 6nm max.
i was looking at a fixed one, and after seeing this discussion i will definatly buy a fixed one, i am not planning to go further but anything can happen right!
so what tips do you give me for a fixed one? Brands? prices?sellers? etc.
thanks in advance
Daniel
Cobra are very good,you can find them at white sails in ta xbiex opposite black pearl.They have good prices.
I keep the hand held in the emergency box. Just in case I end up in the water I even have a hand held gps. Whats the use of communicating without knowing your position. I consider a hand held instead of shouting it is only useful with someone u can practically see (another boat or plane) but not for communicating with anyone outside the 2 mile range.
Historically the best Marine VHFs are - ICOM (Medcomms) www.medcomms.com.mt
Very Good as well Raymarine - (RLR Ltd) www.rlryachting.com Ask for Matthew or Darius and a forum discount
Cobra and President should be cheaper so shop around, compare features etc.
The Gaffer has an ICOM that is awesome, I have a Ray54E on my boat
i was surfing ebay and found this cobra what you think?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COBRA-MARINE-FIXED-VHF-RADIO-FREE-DELIVERY_W0QQitemZ140361286752QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM?hash=item20ae2f4460
Daniel
Check with white sails for the price,cause i dont think there is a lot of difference!
ok thanks a lot guys
Daniel
i went to white sails and seen the COBRA MR F80 which is very nice i liked it a lot, the price is 230eu, its a brand new VHF packed with a lot of features.
what do you think about it?
tomorow i am going to MEDCOMs to see the ICOM IC-M411 cause today they where still packed in boxes.
just a small remark i surfed the ICOM website and couldn't find the 411 model, could it be because it is a discontinued model?
thanks
Daniel
Think you were looking in the wrong place
http://www.icomuk.co.uk/categoryRender.asp?categoryID=3780&productID=677&tID=647
I will second Camkevs statement Cobra are excellent value for a VHF with the DSC feature (provided you have a GPS to tell it where you are) but even the most basic handheld GPS (such as Garmin Trecker) is good enough to do that, & some of you have probably got GPS on your posh mobile phones anyway.
If you have all you need is a lead to connect your mobile phone to VHF & of course you have to make sure they are "talking the same Baud language", that you will get from somebody on here who is good on radio/electronics, its just a matter of getting the phone/GPS to send the information to the DSC part of the VHF! ;)
it has that lead also, re GPS i was thinking of getting a garmin obviously, since i think it's safer to have the vhf first
i will post back as soon as i will see the ICOM 411
Daniel
can i have some help choosing please between these two. Price range is almost the same. actually icom had a better offer.
Cobra MR F80B
http://www.cobra.com/products//mr-f80b-eu-25-watt-fixed-mount-vhf-with-rewind-say-again
Icom IC-M411
http://www.icomuk.co.uk/categoryRender.asp?categoryID=3780&productID=677&tID=647
Daniel