VHF recommendation

jvalhenson · 06-21-2012, 08:51 PM

My vhf gave out on me a while back and that was supposed to be my fathers day gift but I messed around and haven't decided which one I want. Which one would y'all recommend to talk the furthest? My old would talk to coast guard Gulfport and mobile from 70 miles with no problem but I have no clue what it's power was. Of course need the gps hookup and all that

fisheye48 · 06-21-2012, 08:53 PM

So do you need a GPS or VHF?

jvalhenson · 06-21-2012, 08:57 PM

vhf.....was editing when you posted...was thinking about the gps interface while typing about the vhf

fisheye48 · 06-21-2012, 09:07 PM

most of the newer ones have it. the best thing is to go to west marine and look at the ones they have and get some ideas on what you want

Starlifter · 06-21-2012, 11:56 PM

VHF Antenna quality, gain, and how high the antenna tip is from the water (line of sight) plays a bigger factor for your range than the actual radio unit.

Just Google information on VHF radios, line of sight, etc.. As far as gain goes, I'd personally would not go any higher than 6dBa for the antennas gain. Read up on how VHF Radios work, and how they use line of sight. This will help you make a more informed decision on what you should get.

As far as communicating with USCG Stations 70 miles away that was more than likely due to their transmission towers range overlapped your antennas line of sight, which when the better the overlap the stronger the transmission quality is.

jvalhenson · 06-23-2012, 11:28 PM

Yea my antenna is 16ft high. 8ft mounted 8 ft up on ttop. Mainly just lookin for info on which radio is gonna be the longest lasting, loudest clearest speaker, and strong enough to cut through the clutter at distance. A 25 ft antenna with a junk radio might reach out there but the transmission will be so full of static and overrun by the clutter that the other party won't be able to hear even if you can hear them fine. Lookin mainly at cobra uniden and standard horizon right now. Price not really factor and with power being equal for the most part I think the best speaker is gonna be the deciding factor for me.

jvalhenson · 06-23-2012, 11:31 PM

And mounting an external speaker is not really an option. Just nowhere to put it without some drastic rearrangment of the console or that would make it easy to hear.

TScott27 · 06-24-2012, 04:33 AM

Icom offers excellent quality VHFs. You might like to consider the M36.

TScott27 · 06-24-2012, 08:09 PM

Btw, for batteries, I would recommend a Motorola battery (you can find excellent ones here). Have been using them for quite a long time now and can rely on them even if in tough weather conditions.

flappininthebreeze · 06-24-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TScott27

Icom offers excellent quality VHFs. You might like to consider the M36.

To answer the question: Icom, any marine model with the desired hookups. Powerful & reliable.

06-21-2012, 08:51 PM	#1
jvalhenson fishingmgc.net Mingo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Latimer, MS Posts: 168	VHF recommendation My vhf gave out on me a while back and that was supposed to be my fathers day gift but I messed around and haven't decided which one I want. Which one would y'all recommend to talk the furthest? My old would talk to coast guard Gulfport and mobile from 70 miles with no problem but I have no clue what it's power was. Of course need the gps hookup and all that Last edited by jvalhenson; 06-21-2012 at 08:55 PM.

06-21-2012, 11:56 PM	#5
Starlifter Fabricator Snapper Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Holley, FL Posts: 591	VHF Antenna quality, gain, and how high the antenna tip is from the water (line of sight) plays a bigger factor for your range than the actual radio unit. Just Google information on VHF radios, line of sight, etc.. As far as gain goes, I'd personally would not go any higher than 6dBa for the antennas gain. Read up on how VHF Radios work, and how they use line of sight. This will help you make a more informed decision on what you should get. As far as communicating with USCG Stations 70 miles away that was more than likely due to their transmission towers range overlapped your antennas line of sight, which when the better the overlap the stronger the transmission quality is. Last edited by Starlifter; 06-22-2012 at 12:06 AM.

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06-21-2012, 08:53 PM	#2
fisheye48 Senior Member Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 4,468	So do you need a GPS or VHF?

06-21-2012, 08:57 PM	#3
jvalhenson fishingmgc.net Mingo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Latimer, MS Posts: 168	vhf.....was editing when you posted...was thinking about the gps interface while typing about the vhf

06-21-2012, 09:07 PM	#4
fisheye48 Senior Member Blue Marlin Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 4,468	most of the newer ones have it. the best thing is to go to west marine and look at the ones they have and get some ideas on what you want

06-23-2012, 11:28 PM	#6
jvalhenson fishingmgc.net Mingo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Latimer, MS Posts: 168	Yea my antenna is 16ft high. 8ft mounted 8 ft up on ttop. Mainly just lookin for info on which radio is gonna be the longest lasting, loudest clearest speaker, and strong enough to cut through the clutter at distance. A 25 ft antenna with a junk radio might reach out there but the transmission will be so full of static and overrun by the clutter that the other party won't be able to hear even if you can hear them fine. Lookin mainly at cobra uniden and standard horizon right now. Price not really factor and with power being equal for the most part I think the best speaker is gonna be the deciding factor for me.

06-23-2012, 11:31 PM	#7
jvalhenson fishingmgc.net Mingo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Latimer, MS Posts: 168	And mounting an external speaker is not really an option. Just nowhere to put it without some drastic rearrangment of the console or that would make it easy to hear.

06-24-2012, 04:33 AM	#8
TScott27 Junior Member Cigar Minnow Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4	Icom offers excellent quality VHFs. You might like to consider the M36.

06-24-2012, 08:09 PM	#9
TScott27 Junior Member Cigar Minnow Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4	Btw, for batteries, I would recommend a Motorola battery (you can find excellent ones here). Have been using them for quite a long time now and can rely on them even if in tough weather conditions.

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