VHF Radio Ideas Needed!!!

Parker Pedro · Nov 7, 2011

This is what I'm working with....I need a mounted with antenna, and a handheld...
I really don't know what I need....PLEASE HELP!!!

DaleH · Nov 8, 2011

Welcome aboard! I'd add a DSC-capable Standard-Horizon in black trim on the vertical panel right above your keyswitch. Mate it to Shakespeare Galaxy 5225-XT VHF antenna. I'd contact jim from BOE Marine (www.boemarine.com) and tell him you're a new member here and he'll help you out.

Oh, and make sure to get the gold-plated and solderless "Centerpin" VHF cable connections from Shakespeare too!

Megabyte · Nov 8, 2011

Lots of good equipment out there, and it's constantly getting better.
The advice Dale gave you to call Jim at BOE marine is spot on. Jim knows marine electronics. 8)
866-735-5926 toll free.

Placement is personal preference, but my VHF is mounted right below my binnacle.
My handheld is mounted right between the two front windows.

VHF's are Icom and the 8' antenna is a Digital.
Whatever you decide, buy the best quality that you can afford.
These things are safety items and you should not cut corners on safety.

Good luck!

Parker Pedro · Nov 8, 2011

Thanks guys...I'll call Jim today!!!
I'll let ya know how it goes...

pelagic2530 · Nov 14, 2011

Standard Horizon or Icom for sure. personally, I would mount the radio unit overhead on the roof, and run an external speaker to the right corner or center of the dash (keeping an eye out for the compass-safe distance, if specified). That leaves the radio closer to your normal field of vision than down by your waist, and personally I find it easier to hear if the sound is coming from above or horizontally, rather than from below.

Megabyte · Nov 14, 2011

I don't know about the SH radios, but the Icom microphone is both a mic, and a speaker.
When underway, I hang my mic on the side window track so the sound is close to my ear.

I looked at mounting the radio high, but I wear progressive lens glasses.
Anything mounted above level causes me to have to tilt my head back so that I can look through the 'close up' part of my lenses to see the numbers.
If you look at the photo of my helm, you will see that everything that requires the 'reading lens' portion of my glasses is below center.

I look through the top of my lenses for distance, and through the bottom of the lenses to read the instruments.

Of course, if you don't wear glasses, none of this matters!