VHF Help

[mbfishing]

I am looking for opinions on a fixed mount vhf. I will be mounting on top of my XL console and plan to pair it with a either a 4' Digital or 5' Shakespeare fiberglass antenna. I have been looking at Standard Horizon and Icom but I am open to other opinions. I want a DSC capable unit and will connect it to a Lowrance LMS-522. Thanks in advance for the input

[Shakespeare]

I can't help you with any suggestions on the brands of radios that you mentioned but I'll comment on the antenna. VHF transmission is basically "line of site". The longer and/or higher the antenna puts you higher above plane and offers better transmission and reception. I don't know if you have a t-top or what but it is recommended that you use an 8' antenna if you can... but if you can't then you can't.

From the Shakespeare Electronics Group FAQ;


To determine the range of an antenna, multiply the square root of its height (In feet) above water by 1.42. This gives the range in miles.
Remember to perform the calculation for BOTH vessels, then add the results to get the range between two vessels.

See; http://shakespeare-marine.com/faq.asp

I'd also look at the DB ratings of your chosen antenna. Here's another little tidbit from the web site;


Gain
This is a rating stated in decibels (dB). Generally, the higher the gain,
the greater the communicating range. However, keep in mind that the
higher the gain, the more compressed the beam width becomes
(see illustration). A narrow beam can cause fading in rolling
seas. Small, lightweight boats, which roll excessively in heavy seas,
normally do not use a gain rating above 6dB. The more stable the
platform of a vessel, the higher the gain that can effectively be used.

Mike C.

Edited to add additional information.

[Willie]

You can learn something new here everyday on CSO....................... 010

[Capt. Mick]

I had the icom 302 w/dsc on my last boat. You cannot go wrong with this unit. It was flush mounted in the console of a tournament boat and took a major butt kicking and soaking. Very good price on these units also.

[o2bfishn]

mbfishing,



I got the Icom, M422 with a digital antenna 4’ and am pleased with it.

Also check out a West Marine catalog, good info on how radios and antennas work together. I believe you can pull up the catalog, with all their recommendations, online too.

02bfishn 012

[brokebeach5011]

I have the Uniden UM525.It has dsc.I also have it hooked up through my lowrance 337c with gps.I have the shakespeare 5225xp 8' antenna.Both have performed well.
Go to www.gpsstore.com for your antenna needs.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee128/brokebeach1150/IMG_3410.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee128/brokebeach1150/IMG_3404.jpg

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

To determine the range of an antenna, multiply the square root of its height (In feet) above water by 1.42. This gives the range in miles.

This i don't understand. 006 Some body explain the calculation.(square foot of it's height? 006)

As far as VHF units i always use icom and now raymarine and was/am very happy from both companies.
I always had two of them on my boats.

[Inlet ed]

Hey everyone I know this is off topic but does any one have any experience with handheld VHF radios ? I am just starting to go offshore maybe 10/12 miles and am wondering if a handheld would be adequate ?
Inlet Ed

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Inlet ed, range is limited on a handheld.If you have boats around you within 5-7 miles they will hear you, sometimes 10 miles, but not more than that.I have one my self in the ditch bag in case of emergency.
If you plan going that way, make sure you get the one that floats, big plus.

[Inlet ed]

NEM;
Thanks for the advise.
Ed

[lakebiker]

As long as it's an Icom fixed or hand held, ya can't go wrong. ;) ;)

[Shakespeare]

The 3 factors that determine VHF operating range in order of priority;


Height of antenna
Gain of antenna
Wattage output of radio


From what I've read, changing the wattage from 1 watt to 25 watts can only increase range from 2 to 4 times depending on conditions.

[Harry]

I too am looking for a VHF. I would rather have one that mounts "in" the dash instead of "on" it. Can this be done with the i-com 302? Boaters world has them for 69 bucks, and I got gift cards !!!

[mbfishing]

Thanks for the input so far, very helpful. Harry that unit can be flush mounted but you have to have the flush mount kit. I looked for that icom 302 on boaters world website but I did not see it, is that at a local store.

[Harry]

Thanks for the input so far, very helpful. Harry that unit can be flush mounted but you have to have the flush mount kit. I looked for that icom 302 on boaters world website but I did not see it, is that at a local store.


Yup here in Mays Landing NJ

I had the 304 model on last boat and it worked fine. This one's only 69 bucks

[o2bfishn]

Thats a hell of a good price Harry. Just need the flush mount kit, about 15 bucks. If I can get the pictures to load off my camera I'll post where I mounted mine.


02bfishn 012

[Capt. Mick]

I had the 302 flush mounted in my Sailfish. It will also be in my new skiff.

[Harry]

Thats a hell of a good price Harry. Just need the flush mount kit, about 15 bucks. If I can get the pictures to load off my camera I'll post where I mounted mine.


02bfishn 012


I thought so too.
I'm also getting a AM/FM/CD player with a MP3 port (would like to mount in dash too) and see where they have a splitter type device that let's you use the same antenna for both VHF & FM anyone ever try this little puppy ?

[shaggy3131]

Nothing is simple. A while back I purchased a VHF radio (ICOM 304). When I was preparing to install it along it with my Lowrance LMS525 I discovered that the ICOM was not compatible with the NMEA 2000 network which is part of the LMS525 system. The ICOM would exchange some data with the GPS but not a NMEA 2000 network and is not designed to totally interact with NMEA 2000 networks.

The ICOM was designed for compatibility with the older NMEA 0183 network.

Because my boat is new, and the LMS525 is based on the NMEA 2000 network, I decided that I would want all my electrical components to be a part of the 2000 network. Therefore, I returned the ICOM and am shopping for a VHF that can fully be a part of the NMEA 2000 network. Lowrance and other manufacturers make 2000 compatible VHFs that are compatible in the under $200 range. The 2000 network would plug all electronics into the same network (gps, radar, engine monitoring, numerous other onboard monitors, etc.) and information can be shared between the many components. On a CS, this may or may not offer an advantage. Google nmea 2000 and you can find out more about that system.

I'm not sure what all this really means in the long run, but I wanted to have a system that was compatible.

In choosing a VHF and a GPS you may or may not want to be concerned with NMEA 2000 compatibility.

[Shakespeare]

One of the more important things the NMEA interface does for you is the GPS will share your coordinates to the VHF. If you should need to hit the distress button then that is automatically fed to the Coast Guard. In order for all that to work however, you'll need to acquire an MMSI registration number. This basically identifies you and your boat description to the appropriate agencies.

See http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/ for more information.

Mike C.

[shaggy3131]

Thanks for the link to get the needed number.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I was told that the new 2000 NMEA will work with the "older" 0183 for VHF purposes. 006
Harry, that icom for 69.00 bananas is a GREAT price.

[o2bfishn]

Here you go Harry, some pictures of my set up.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/bobs2002.jpg

And some of the wiring.
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/bobs2001.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/bobs2011.jpg

And the grandson "helping Papa". 004
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee166/o2bfishnobx/bobs2005.jpg

02bfishn

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

O2B, nice set up you got there. 8) 012 013

[Harry]

Thanks o2b

Nice to have those little hands helping. They can get into those hard to reach places .... ;D

[o2bfishn]

Harry,


You would be amazed at what and where he can get into at 3 years old (almost 4). 004 004 004 But he is better than a junk yard dog around the boat, its “Papa and Sammie’s” boat you know. Not sure when I got a partner in the skiff 006 but you tell him it’s not his. ;D


02bfishn

[lakebiker]

Nice set up. Wish I had that boy when I was trying to get my fat arse under the deck installing the TM mouting bolts. Whew, what a day that was. ;D ;D

[Harry]

Went out to boaters world Came back empty handed. The 69.99 i-com 302 is no longer in stock. They said they had a big booth set up at the AC boat show and are offering a 10% dis-count, they might have that radio there. If they don't have it can't order me one, I'll offer to buy the demo one they have left. I'll go to the show tomorrow.

Anyway I asked the sales guy (kid) about the flush mount for this i-com model and he said they don't make them and this is a surface mount only. Anyone know this to be true? If not where I could get one, If i'm able to get this radio?

Also anyone have any Antenna Idea's for me? On the 198, I had a 5 footer I mounted on the grabrail, with a fold down mount, so the console cover fit when not in use. Mounted high up on th erail it stood around 8' when up.
New boat will have a bimini (not to be used all the time) but I need to consider this when buying an antenna.

I've seen the 3' SS shakespeare antenna and think this should be perfect. Mount it on a rail mount and it should be good to go. Any photo's of you antenna's ? The only mounts I see in there book are the fold down kind. With this antenna, all I reall need if a grab rail mount with a fixed 90 in it. I was thinking of mounting it on the side around waist high. They have mounts for the top ( straight up) for the grab rail and a 3' antenna I guess would be ok too ... 006 Just seem like it would be in my face.

[Capt. Mick]

Harry - I had the Icom 302 flush mounted in my Sailfish I just sold. They do sell a flush mount kit because I bought one. I am buying another one from Bill's Marine Electronics in Wilmington, NC and will flush mount this one also.

[Harry]

OK,
So they are available 010

Do you know if i-com makes them or an after market co ?

[Harry]

Nevermind. I google up "i-com flush mount and low and behold, boaters world of all places has them.... so much for there salesman ( kid)

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/316311182.htm

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

It's the same flush mount fot the 304 also.As far as the antenna, the longer,the antenna ;D, the better.Go with a digital one.

[shaggy3131]

Hey Harry,

I, too, am trying to figure out what to do with an 8 ft. antenna on my 238 with a bimini. I bought the 8 ft. because I figured the extra height was needed for reception.

The best I can come up with is to mount the antenna on the starboard/stern gunwale in the corner just in front of the cleat so that the antenna lays down on the outside of the bimini.
Otherwise, it will always be a struggle to get the antenna and bimini up and down.

How have others solved this antenna/bimini problem?

Thanks,
Aubrey

[Inlet ed]

Harry;
I bought a Icom 304 today and Boaterworld had the flush mount bracket in stock , it was labeled Icom.
Inlet ed

[Inlet ed]

Everyone;
A friend of mine an electrician and I are going to attempt to install the 304 in my 238 DLV, flush mounted anyone have any experience with this unit and a Garmin 540s, and what the #%*# goes where as far as connections.
Any help would be appreciated as I am inept with this type of stuff.
Inlet ed

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

All the wires are labeled where they go,should be easy.Also take nmea out from the gps and connect it to nmea in to the vhf, this way your distress fuction works.You supposed to get a number also from the coast guard.
I always made all my installs my self, it's fun and also learn a lot of things.

[Inlet ed]

NEM:
Thanks
ED

[Ed&Brenda]

Nothing is simple. A while back I purchased a VHF radio (ICOM 304). When I was preparing to install it along it with my Lowrance LMS525 I discovered that the ICOM was not compatible with the NMEA 2000 network which is part of the LMS525 system. The ICOM would exchange some data with the GPS but not a NMEA 2000 network and is not designed to totally interact with NMEA 2000 networks.

The ICOM was designed for compatibility with the older NMEA 0183 network.

Because my boat is new, and the LMS525 is based on the NMEA 2000 network, I decided that I would want all my electrical components to be a part of the 2000 network. Therefore, I returned the ICOM and am shopping for a VHF that can fully be a part of the NMEA 2000 network. Lowrance and other manufacturers make 2000 compatible VHFs that are compatible in the under $200 range. The 2000 network would plug all electronics into the same network (gps, radar, engine monitoring, numerous other onboard monitors, etc.) and information can be shared between the many components. On a CS, this may or may not offer an advantage. Google nmea 2000 and you can find out more about that system.

I'm not sure what all this really means in the long run, but I wanted to have a system that was compatible.

In choosing a VHF and a GPS you may or may not want to be concerned with NMEA 2000 compatibility.

We are currently in the same boat. We also have a LMS525C. We just purchased the icom 304. I just now stumbled across this thread to find this out. What vhf did you end up getting that is compatible with NMEA 2000?

The man at icom said something about there is a way to get it to work but he was speaking foreign to me, IOW I am not to safvy with the radio/antenna jargin.

[CFISHN]

Here is a link to a basic guide to VHF..
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/product_features/buyers_guide/pages/hardgoods/marine/pf_ross_radio.html