BajaNomad - Best Radio, Cheap Price???

Best Radio, Cheap Price???

DianaT - 10-19-2007 at 10:28 AM

We want to buy a radio to use for communication in Bahia Asuncion and know NOTHING about them, except everyone there uses them.

Help, educate me please, what kind, price, brand, etc.

Diane

Minnow - 10-19-2007 at 10:29 AM

Icom V 8000

Hook - 10-19-2007 at 10:47 AM

I'll bet they're talking on the marine bands. That's a 2 meter radio, isnt it, Tom?

Any of the lower priced units by Standard Horizon or ICOM that have a strong external speaker option so that you can mount an external speaker outside so you dont have to be inside to hear the radio.

Minnow - 10-19-2007 at 10:56 AM

I bet you are right. For marine band I use a Solara. They are like 120 bucks.

Diver - 10-19-2007 at 12:35 PM

I have Standard Horizon and they work great.
Bought them at Westmarine.

VHF if you want to talk to others in town.
Ask Juan about his Dual band walkie talkies that get better range if that''s what you want.
If they're just for you 2 in town, it is cheaper to get some 5 mile Motorolas or Cobras.

.

DianaT - 10-19-2007 at 01:10 PM

Main purpose would be to find help if needed---an emergency device.

What kind of money are we talking about?

Diane

[Edited on 10-19-2007 by jdtrotter]

Good and Cheap

MrBillM - 10-19-2007 at 01:14 PM

Best Bang for the Buck is Uniden. Good radios. Consistently the Cheapest. Their Handhelds are a bit large If you must have one of those "Little" Handhelds.

I have three Uniden Solaras (about $120 now) and two of the Atlantis (less than $100) Handhelds. The oldest is about five now. No problems.

[Edited on 10-19-2007 by MrBillM]

Baja&Back - 10-19-2007 at 01:29 PM

Diane, you'd better start by asking Juan what radio band everyone is talking on. Is it Marine, SSB, UHF, VHF, 2 meter, CB??? None talk to the other.

Bajaboy - 10-19-2007 at 01:40 PM

I was under the impression that it was VHF

Dave - 10-19-2007 at 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
Main purpose would be to find help if needed---an emergency device.

You need to find out what's used. My bet would be marine band but why don't you just go ask Juan? Then you could narrow your choices. We're not talking a lot of money. I've seen the Solaras for $85-90. Might also want a hand-held so you're talking less than $200 for the package.

Hook - 10-19-2007 at 02:20 PM

Gotta figure in an antenna and that's the place you dont want to scrimp. A good one will cost as much as the radio if you are looking at bargain radios.

The Shakespeare Galaxy 5225 XT is a long proven performer.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/316030659msk.htm

Probably 250.00 tops for both the antenna and radio assuming you dont need a specialized mount. Then you GOTTA get an external speaker for outside so you can hear it in the yard when Shari says "come on over for langosta"!

Get one with a hailer and you can give a shout for Jack? John? to come in from the north 40.

DianaT - 10-19-2007 at 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

You need to find out what's used. My bet would be marine band but why don't you just go ask Juan? Then you could narrow your choices. We're not talking a lot of money. I've seen the Solaras for $85-90. Might also want a hand-held so you're talking less than $200 for the package.

It would be a long run---about 600 miles right now. :lol:

Seriously, I know so little about these I didn't even know there was a difference ---- so I will U2U Juan and Shari and ask them what they use.

Then I will check out the brands etc. that have been suggested.

Hook, if I used a loud speaker thing to hail John----he would let his fingers do the talking. :tumble:

When we worked in Honduras, our boss used to use a bull horn to call her husband when he was on the other side of the school----was real obnoxious, but he usually came a runnin. :yes:

Thanks,
Diane

Jack Swords - 10-19-2007 at 02:35 PM

There is Marine FM VHF, Marine SSB, 2 meter is VHF (a ham band), UHF radios can be commercial or Ham or FRS. CB is HF and can also be SSB. The differences are the frequencies of operation (mainly). The intent to communicate with others really is dependent upon what the others are using. Most probably it is Marine VHF giving you approx 40 channels to use (not counting duplex). Then you need to find out which channel of the 40 people listen to. Calling for help on channel 88 when everybody listens to channel 22 will be of no help. Others postings give good examples of Marine VHF radios available almost everywhere. These radios are commonly used throughout Baja. Licensed for only marine use, they serve as distress and health and welfare communications by boaters so hopefully select channels that will not interfere with their intended function (which also includes Aduana, port authority, among others).

comitan - 10-19-2007 at 03:03 PM

Diane

I'm about 99% sure they are using marine band, I would use a base station setup, if you have 110V you will need a converter to 12V, I have a pinnacle converter thats 12 tears old, with my Standard Horizon Radio, for just that area any good marine antenna.

[Edited on 10-19-2007 by comitan]

Bob and Susan - 10-19-2007 at 03:49 PM

comitan is correct to use in the house
buy a converter to go from 110v to 12v in the states
none here

just buy a $100 VHF anywhere
just make sure it scans ...
all the newer models do

you need to get a good antenna
that's the trick

DO NOT "cheap out" on the antenna or
you'll have no range to transmit
all legal VHF's transmit with the same power

when you buy an antenna...
have the place you buy it from solder the plug on
they come unassembled
this is always a problem

shakespear with the black tip is OK
forget the white tip shakespear

remember you'll also need a mount for the antenna
get a metal mount
the plastic ones break easily when stored in the sunshine

bajalou - 10-19-2007 at 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Diane

I'm about 99% sure they are using marine band, I would use a base station setup, if you have 110V you will need a converter to 12V, I have a pinnacle converter thats 12 tears old, with my Standard Horizon Radio, for just that area any good marine antenna.

[Edited on 10-19-2007 by comitan]

Better would be to run the 12V from your batteries to the radio. Why INVERT to 120, the CONVERT back down to 12V?

Bob and Susan - 10-19-2007 at 03:57 PM

well... you might be 50 feet away from the batteries

than you need a 3 inch cable to pull "the juice"

bajalou - 10-19-2007 at 04:12 PM

On a plantation such as yours, possibly, But in most homes not likely. I just checked my new V8000 and when transmitting at 75watts, it draws 15amps. A marine radio is limited to 25watts so should draw around 5 amps. What size cable is specked for that amperage?

According to http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

using 10 gauge you loose about .513 volts at 50 feet. Or 8 gauge, .323 volt drop.

:?:

Diver - 10-19-2007 at 04:18 PM

Here is the handheld VHF we have. Juan was impressed.
I paid a lot more 2 years ago.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte...

(Just clicking on the blue stuff works )

.

[Edited on 10-19-2007 by Diver]

Marine VHF Antennas

MrBillM - 10-19-2007 at 04:37 PM

Check West Marine and others for closeouts.

Last year, West Marine had a closeout on an 8' Shakespeare model for $16.95 + shipping (UPS). I've got three stockpiled in the rafters of the garage.

3" cable to go 50 feet ? I'd love to see some of your wiring. Lou is on the right track. Considering the wattage of a marine VHF, you could go pretty far with 10 guage. There are voltage drop charts all over the Net. Remember, too, on electronics, to look for the input voltage it works on. You only have to stay above the bottom figure. Many devices work on approx 10.5vdc-11.0vdc to 15vdc.

When I ran 25' of 10 guage to my Sun Frost 12/24vdc refrigerator, others said it was too small. Voltage drop was 0.2v under load. No Problema.

comitan - 10-19-2007 at 04:37 PM

The one diver is suggesting would be a good move,its a newer version of what I started with, it will work as a base or take it with you. Without obstructions it will reach at least 10 miles.

bancoduo - 10-19-2007 at 04:49 PM

I'm not allowed to have a radio. I secretly made a crystal set. Works great! Now I can listen to FOX news and know everything. Eat yur heart out DK. :bounce:

Barry A. - 10-19-2007 at 04:53 PM

Banco------

Very wise choice-----now you will get the "real" news--------and live in contentness and knowledge knowing that you have everything you need.

Long live crystals.

DianaT - 10-19-2007 at 05:15 PM

Diver's looks like a winner---simple, and not too expensive, and a range that is just fine.

Thanks- I think I remember Shari saying they all tune to Channel 16 for starts---will have to practice.

Dang, we have to quit coming back to the US---we end up spending way too much money. :yes:

Diane

castaway$ - 10-19-2007 at 07:38 PM

The Uniden Atlantis isn't too big and it has a nicad rechargable for about $120.

comitan - 10-19-2007 at 07:44 PM

Diane

I would check with Shari before you buy, if thats their primary means of communication and you leave the radio on all day you need a real base station, with converter. And a portable if your out fishing or up the road. :yes:

[Edited on 10-20-2007 by comitan]

Midland Nautico

bajaguy - 10-19-2007 at 07:45 PM

Small, inexpensive, 5 watts of power, 12 mile range (claimed). I have two and they work better than I thought for the price ($58.00).

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=299565

[Edited on 10-20-2007 by bajaguy]

shari - 10-20-2007 at 12:59 PM

good info, don't worry Dianne, we'll give you a crash course in radio use and etiquette and Juan will program your radio of choice. Hey if you find those whip antennas at a close out sale price could you bring us one too for the panga????

Barry A. - 10-20-2007 at 01:05 PM

BajaGuy----

I too have a couple of the Midland Nautico radios you describe (from the same source, too)-------very happy with them.

[Edited on 10-20-2007 by Barry A.]

Midland

MrBillM - 10-21-2007 at 10:05 AM

I'll second that. Thanks for the info. I just ordered one to try it out. I have a couple of small Cobra 2/2 watt that I use to communicate close by and one of them has a transmit button going bad.

Looking forward to trying it out.