American VHF

It will work - in the main, but some (not many) channels will Tx or Rx on the wrong frequency making them unusable and possibly interfering with other channels. You can check the compatibility - guess what - on the internet!
 
In general terms the answer is yes. The channel frequencies are different and you may have to select INT for international frequencies each time you turn the set on .... which can be a real PITA. The other problem is that they tend not to have the pre-programmed frequencies like P1/P2 for comms with yacht clubs and the like .... also a PITA when you need the club launch.

On the legal side .... they are unlikely to have CE certification so they aren't approved for use in Europe .... but I doubt if that would cause a private yacht any problems.

Personally I would prefer a non-USA set at the frequency problems are annoying.
 
It will probably have a usa/international setting that takes care of the channel differences, mine has one. Ch18is simplex in usa and duplex in uk, mine was set incorrectly and i only found out when trying to lock in to Swansea when i first bought the boat

Edit: the int settig is remembered when turned off, there is no need to do it each time
 
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If it does not have the USA/ European selection switch then I certainly would not buy a USA only one. As said the main channels are OK but we have found where we use ch 77 for club race control that USA setting forces low power and around our state we are getting repeaters using some of the duplex chanels which are probably incorrect on USA setting so I think you may regret buying if USA/Eupopean(rest of the world) switch is not an option. good luck olewill
 
I bought a SH HX270S at Westmarine in Maryland. It has the INT setting and keeps it after selection. I don't need the odd club stuff as I do not use marinas much, and the lack of CE cert is unlikely to be noticed. Excellent bit of kit.
DW

Think I paid $90 USD when the exchange rate was rather better. Charger is 110v, but I use the 12v lead for the car. All included.

Just looked at your link: You might be in trouble with the DSC bit, I didn't realise it was a fixed set.
 
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DownWest said:
I bought a SH HX270S at Westmarine in Maryland. It has the INT setting and keeps it after selection. I don't need the odd club stuff as I do not use marinas much, and the lack of CE cert is unlikely to be noticed. Excellent bit of kit.
DW

Think I paid $90 USD when the exchange rate was rather better. Charger is 110v, but I use the 12v lead for the car. All included.

Just looked at your link: You might be in trouble with the DSC bit, I didn't realise it was a fixed set.
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Isn't the DSC bit the same? Aren't these radios designed to work around the world?
 
30boat said:
Isn't the DSC bit the same? Aren't these radios designed to work around the world?
Click to expand...

I half remember something from a while ago on the same subject. It was a UK question, but might be EU applicable. The problem might be something about registration of the DSC feature, or the type of signal might i.d. it as a US set. We need one of the techies on here to explain.
 
DownWest said:
The problem might be something about registration of the DSC feature, or the type of signal might i.d. it as a US set.
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The MMSI has a country code at the front of it - but you would be entering your own UK number wherever the radio was bought from.

Possibly you're mixing it up with EPIRBs and PLBs, which have their IDs (again including a country code) baked into them at manufacture.

The only problem I can see with buying a radio not intended for the UK market is that it won't have the M and M2 channels. You may be able to get them added.

Pete
 
prv said:
Possibly you're mixing it up with EPIRBs and PLBs, which have their IDs (again including a country code) baked into them at manufacture.


Pete
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But they can be reprogrammed quite easily - if not particularly cheap. Mine cost about £60 including postage. Think many radios need returning to the manufacturer or agent to change an already installed MMSI.
 
Tranona said:
But they can be reprogrammed quite easily - if not particularly cheap. Mine cost about £60 including postage. Think many radios need returning to the manufacturer or agent to change an already installed MMSI.
Click to expand...

That's correct, but irrelevant to the OP as he's buying a new radio with no MMSI in it.

Pete
 
Is the price saving worth the trouble
A.if the bringer in gets charged Import and VAT
B.you have to pay somebody to get Marina channels programmed. £20-25 quid ?
C.you have to buy 240v charger £10.00 ?
D.It goes wrong ?
 
oldgit said:
Is the price saving worth the trouble
A.if the bringer in gets charged Import and VAT
B.you have to pay somebody to get Marina channels programmed. £20-25 quid ?
C.you have to buy 240v charger £10.00 ?
D.It goes wrong ?
Click to expand...
Many years ago I ordered an Icom M302 from a US on-line store for delivery to my Swiss address. Total cost with delivery, import tax, VAT and customs handling was much, much less than buying locally in Switzerland or Italy (your point A).

Never have needed the M and M2 channels (your point B).

No need for a charger - connected to boat's 12V supply (your point C).

In all the years of use in the Med. it has never gone wrong and continues to give perfect daily service (your point D).
 
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