BajaNomad

Which VHF radio?

brewer - 7-26-2013 at 08:37 PM

There are so many different brands and models out there. Uniden, Garmin, Cobra, Standard Horizon, Lowrance, West Marine, etc.

What brand and model has held up for you in the Baja environment. What do you think is the best and most reliable?

Thanks.

Antennas

bajaguy - 7-26-2013 at 08:45 PM

Quality antennas are just important as the radio. A good antenna and plenty of height.

I have used West Marine, Midland and Uniden......they all worked. There are quite a few out there and a lot of extra added stuff. I would suggest one that has dual/triple watch and and priority Ch 16

chippy - 7-27-2013 at 03:35 AM

As stated above a good antenna is key. I have had good luck with Standard and Uniden. I think West Marine is a rebadged Uniden.

[Edited on 7-27-2013 by chippy]

chuckie - 7-27-2013 at 05:28 AM

Uniden is good I just bought a new one all the B&W, on ebay 79.00 NIB FYI I have both types antennas, long glass on base, shorty steel on boat....both work well...

Alan - 7-27-2013 at 07:04 AM

My personal preference has always been ICOM but as they say antenna quality is equally important. Another good site to post this question is http://www.thehulltruth.com/

[Edited on 7-27-2013 by Alan]

Udo - 7-27-2013 at 07:24 AM

My personal preference in a base radio and a portable radio have been the ICOM brand. Highly reliable units.
My portable cost me about $300.00 and the base almost $600.00. And as every one else has said, buy the best Shakespeare antenna you can get a hold of (should be close to $200.00).
In the US I have a long time VHF license WTZ 5358, but I don't think you need one in Mexico (I could be wrong on this one though).

woody with a view - 7-27-2013 at 07:32 AM

you don't need one in Mex.

the best one is the one with a full charge on the boat when you need it. keep in mind, some places use 2 meter exclusively....

comitan - 7-27-2013 at 08:44 AM

Standard Horizon been my house radio for 18years, If useing 110 to 12V convertor get regulated voltage converor, using matehead anrtenna but its up high.

Hook - 7-27-2013 at 10:21 AM

Actually, you dont need a VHF license in the States anymore, either. Did away with that probably 15 years ago.

To the OP, will this be a boat install or a base station?

willardguy - 7-27-2013 at 10:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Actually, you dont need a VHF license in the States anymore, either. Did away with that probably 15 years ago.

To the OP, will this be a boat install or a base station?
yeah but udo just loves saying whiskey tango zulu!:lol:

VHF Radios

skippermike - 7-27-2013 at 10:41 AM

I'll echo the vote for ICOM.
They are a little more expensive, but last and don't overheat when transmitting for long periods.
Have had ICOM's in 4 boats, in my office and in my truck - all good. The truck radio is a 50 watt 2 meter, opened up a bit to also do marine bands. Yeah, yeah I know - not really legal, but it is what all the sport and tuna boats use for "more private" chatter.
Also echo having good battery voltage, heavy conductors to the radio for less voltage drop and a Shakespeare Galaxy antenna.

brewer - 7-27-2013 at 10:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Actually, you dont need a VHF license in the States anymore, either. Did away with that probably 15 years ago.

To the OP, will this be a boat install or a base station?

I will have one for the boat and one for home base. Run off a 12V batt.

DavidE - 7-27-2013 at 11:05 AM

Jess a teensy note...

If Aduana sees a VHF or SS radio or even an antenna they ask for your boat documents. So it's best to keep them out of sight as you cross. Bureaucracy with the SCT and all that..

Udo - 7-27-2013 at 11:07 AM

I still use "whiskey-tango-zulu" in the US once in a while. Probably should change the TANGO to TEQUILA, huh?
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Actually, you dont need a VHF license in the States anymore, either. Did away with that probably 15 years ago.

To the OP, will this be a boat install or a base station?
yeah but udo just loves saying whiskey tango zulu!:lol:

TMW - 7-27-2013 at 05:18 PM

The main thing with the antenna is to tune it properly, if not tuned you are wasting power.

Udo - 7-27-2013 at 05:27 PM

This is a highly debatable issue.

However,

When attaching an SWR meter at the back end of the VHF radio and connecting it to the antenna lead, one is looking for an SWR (standing wave ratio) of 1:1.
If one uses an RG 58X the antenna lead comes out best at 21 feet in length.
If one uses and RG 8U lead you may go as long as 56 feet.

As I mentioned earlier, I am sure that there are some radio techs out there that will correct me on the issue.
Quote:
Originally posted by TW
The main thing with the antenna is to tune it properly, if not tuned you are wasting power.

Hook - 7-27-2013 at 06:23 PM

Well, for the house, I would lean towards going the 2 meter radio route and opening it up (modding it). Either the Yaesu 1900R or the 2900R, depending on your budget. But the 1900R is comparable in price to the mid-level Standard Horizons and ICOMs.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/fm_txvrs/1900.html

Mods are easy and all over the internet, with pix and descriptions. 55w means you can talk most anywhere.

It will take some programming but that info is all over the net, too. Program the frequency, assign it a marine frequency label and it's just like a marine radio........only much more powerful.

For the boat, ICOM and Standard Horizon are both great. Cant go wrong. But if you are like me and the hearing is getting a little suspect and the engine aint getting any quieter, then go for something with a loud, front facing speaker, if not an external speaker.

Highly recommend an external speaker for a boat, though. Really love this one. Way better than the Poly Planar speakers I have heard. Great frequency curve for the spoken voice.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/3098.html

[Edited on 7-28-2013 by Hook]