VHF recommendations:

Ask a question...get an answer (or two).
Post Reply
RobA

VHF recommendations:

Post by RobA »

My triton came radio-less. It has antenna run up the mast and power wires, I just need to replace the radio. Any suggestions as to a good brand, or any particular model?

I really don't think I need to incorporate it into any complex elctronic system in the future. Is there a need for the duel mic set up?


Planning to cruise keys or bahamas this fall/winter.


Rob A
Figment
Damned Because It's All Connected
Posts: 2847
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 9:32 am
Boat Name: Triton
Boat Type: Grand Banks 42
Location: L.I. Sound

Post by Figment »

I've never thought the Triton was big enough to warrant dual microphones. With one hand on the tiller, I can reach through the companionway and grab the mic from its hanger with the other hand. Besides, for the price of some of those dual mic setups, you could buy one dandy of a handheld.

Any chance you could contact the previous owner and ask which unit he had in there? Nothing burns my biscuits faster than filling and redrilling a mounting hole because the spacing on the replacement bracket is just 1/8" different.

If you're going to use it simply for hailing the launch or the dockmaster, I really think that buying whatever's on sale that week is perfectly fine.

If you actually plan to use it for greater-distance communication, you may want to do a bit more homework. In terms of transmission clarity and user-friendlyness, I think you get what you pay for. I splurged on an Icom M502, which I now admit is overkill for my purposes. The M402 (and its equivalents) are adequate.
Waterproof vs. non-waterproof has so little price impact that non-waterproof seems like a no brainer.
The "Distress button" feature is nice in a "hope I never need to use it" kinda way, but if you're not interested in networking the vhf to your gps....

$0.02
George ( C&C 40 )
Skilled Systems Installer
Posts: 254
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:39 pm
Location: Williamsburg, VA

Post by George ( C&C 40 ) »

Hi Rob,

I agree with Figment. I just went through the same thing and purchased the Icom M-402 without the remote mic option. I believe Icom makes the best radios for marine use.

George
dasein668
Boateg
Posts: 1637
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2003 9:09 am
Boat Name: Dasein
Boat Type: Pearson Triton 668
Location: Portland, Maine
Contact:

Post by dasein668 »

I'm pretty happy with my cheep-o Icom (I think its an M45, but it's older and I don't see the exact same model anymore... it's similar to the M302).

It has pretty good transmission power, and dual watch feature which is nice.

Remember that transmission is effected, in most installations, much more by antenna choice, mast height, and signal loss through cable/connector corrosion and length than by the actual radio itself.
RobA

Post by RobA »

Thanks for the feedback folks,


If you didn't read from my other posts. I'm fairly new to boating, and this is my first sailboat.


I'm trying to ask as many questions as I can and limit my mistakes.




Rob
Post Reply