|
04-22-2014, 10:52 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: The 951
Posts: 430
|
Marine Radios
I lost my Marine Radio on my last landing. It was in a pocket and not secured, my fault completely.
So now that I'm replacing it, any suggestions? The one I had was kind of big and bulky and heavy. I'd like to find something a little lighter and easier to stuff in a zipper pocket or clip to a PFD, preferably without sacrificing range too much. I know, tall order. Open to suggestions.
__________________
I fish therefore I am. Selling cars since 2006. If you love what you do you never WORK a day in your life. |
04-22-2014, 11:46 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,856
|
I just bought the Standard Horizon HX290, its $130 and there is currently a $20 rebate on this radio through Standard Horizon. I could be wrong but I believe most if not all of the handheld radios are 5watts max so spending any extra money may only get you bells and whistles that you may not need.
One of the main reasons, wait, three of the main reasons I bought the HX290: 1. I am receiving a $25 customer loyalty coupon from Standard Horizon 2. I am receiving a $20 rebate from Standard Horizon 3. The radio has a speaker/mic connector, if you've never used one of these speaker/mics you're missing out. It is a little bulkier than the HX 471 that I had but not by much. Most of my radios were/are used for basic two way communication so a the extra bells and whistles like DSC, gps, etc. are more than I need.
__________________
www.facebook.com/Teamsewer |
04-22-2014, 01:01 PM | #3 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: The city of Orange
Posts: 1,278
|
Quote:
|
|
04-22-2014, 11:56 AM | #4 |
Brandon
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,345
|
I like the west marine line of radios I have a west marine vhf160 floating 6 watt. Cost me $160. The reason I went with it:
6 watts Floats Not bulky Ergonomic One of the best waterproof-ratings Comes with a rechargeable battery but also a seperate tray that takes AAA's Affordable Mic input So far I love my radio I've taken it out 4-5 times and still has 4 bars on the battery, although that's not heavy use. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
04-22-2014, 03:09 PM | #5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co.
Posts: 943
|
Same radio as YakDout - works great, and for its size actually fits in the pocket of my Kokatat PFD. And best yet - even sitting for months of winter non-use maintains a full charge. (though I doubt most on here actually stay off the water for more than a week)...
Quote:
|
|
04-22-2014, 12:27 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Long Beach
Posts: 366
|
I was looking for a marine radio. Would you recommend that? I didn't want to spend over $100 and was looking for something just for an emergency situation. I guess, I'm asking what is the minimum requirements your looking for in a radio? Power life? Gps? Float or not float? Small vs large? Any input would be great. Thanks.
Edit: I see people posting pros and con now. I'll just monitor the post. Lol thanks again. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk |
04-22-2014, 01:02 PM | #7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: The city of Orange
Posts: 1,278
|
Quote:
|
|
04-22-2014, 01:16 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Long Beach
Posts: 366
|
Thanks, John. Ill look into it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk |
04-22-2014, 01:24 PM | #9 |
lizard king
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lakewood
Posts: 520
|
I got this one from amazon its cheap and its lasted 2 days so far without a charge needed http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00126K8BM/..._E7Svtb1JMXJZH
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk |
04-22-2014, 10:10 PM | #10 | |
The carpetbagger
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: tha newps
Posts: 1,474
|
Quote:
__________________
"The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21 |
|
04-23-2014, 01:18 AM | #11 |
Kayak Fanatic
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cypress, CA
Posts: 200
|
Can you elaborate on the benefits of the mic/speaker feature?
I usually just push the transmit button when I use my radio. Thanks
__________________
When the going gets tough, the tough go "pedaling" |
04-23-2014, 09:13 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,384
|
Minimum requirements for me are Floating, Submersible, and 5w.
|
04-23-2014, 11:04 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Long Beach
Posts: 366
|
Marine radio etiquette is something im not really sure about, so i did a little research. I was wondering what are channels that are monitored by the Coast guard and how would one transmit an emergency call. If we are in distress, how can we transmit our location without a GPS. Is DSC (Digital Selective Calling) important feature to have on a radio? What is VHF? What is the range of a handheld radio? Why is wattage important? Most of all, how does all this apply to us kayakers sharing the same waters as boater.
So for basic radio protocols etiquette here is a link i found. http://www.coastalboating.net/Cruisi...dioBasics.html TL;DR Channel 16 is used for hailing and distress signaling. This link gives good examples of "DONTs" of radio etiquette and some explanation of radio jargon: http://www.frugal-mariner.com/Ettiquette.html TL;DR its a good read. go read it. Some information for VHF radios; http://www.sierracgaux.org/vhfradios.html TL;DR VHF- Every channel on VHF radio has a specific purpose and transmission power is generally 6 watts or less and the transmission or the radio is directly related to its antenna height. DSC- is an acronym for Digital Select Calling. This feature is a part of the Coast Guard's modernization of our nation's marine communications known as Rescue 21. As the name indicates, DSC is a digital transmission over channel 70 in the vhf spectrum. You must register any radio with DSC to be able to use the feature. Once registered, your radio will have a unique MMSI number ( Maritime Mobile Service Identity ). When you register, you give important details to the Coast Guard including the name of the vessel, type and length of vessel, home port, emergency contact information, and owner information. DSC can also be utilized to privately contact another vessel with a known MMSI number. This is akin to having a contact number of another cell phone. The receiving station can send a digital response. Communications would then be established by voice on a working channel such as vhf channel 68. All newly manufactured radios must have DSC. A future boating education article will go into further detail about DSC, an important innovation in marine communication. As for GPS, it can locate your exact location when using DSC. Im not sure if paying for the extra money for the GPS feature warrants the buy, but it does give some peace of mind if youre in distress. Since most of us are not going to hail a bridge or be out in the high seas, at least i dont think you guys do, while on our kayaks, I thought it was still good to know the procedures, protocols and etiquette of our boater brethren. I am new to kayaking and anything marine related, so looking for all this information has given me a better idea of what to expect. This is not the end-all info for radio etiquette and I am sure others can chime in and add or counter anything that i posted. Didnt mean to hi-jack this thread, but I was looking for a marine radio and these are the issues I was wondering about. I hope this will help educate others as well. /tangant Airborne |
04-23-2014, 04:56 PM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,856
|
Quote:
compact easy to use light weight allows the main unit to be secured in a pocket/pouch
__________________
www.facebook.com/Teamsewer |
|
04-23-2014, 11:34 PM | #15 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla
Posts: 2,643
|
I purchased a new MHS75 Uniden submersible radio with all the the things you need except it doesn't float. I purchased as a new never used product from E-Bay for $70 in December. It works great. Best buy and Walmart have it online for $99.98
__________________
MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids ) Last edited by FISH11; 04-23-2014 at 11:39 PM. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|