Buying US VHF

[Dockhead]

It's the same kit exactly you buy here from Icom or Standard Horizon.

All my VHF's were brought from the States. No M or M2 is the only disadvantage, and I've never missed them. If you're there anyway, you can bring them back in your luggage and no duty or VAT within the limitations.

Definitely the way to go.

 

[KellysEye]

>If you read some of the earlier posts in the thread, you'll see that US-sold radios have the International channel set, as we use here in the UK and Europe.

When we were in the Caribbean we talked to many US boats on VHF. Most of them tried to call us and failed, when we met them we found they were using US frequencies and didn't have the normal UK calling ones. As I said check if it's cheap it may not have international channels.

 

[pvb]

When we were in the Caribbean we talked to many US boats on VHF. Most of them tried to call us and failed, when we met them we found they were using US frequencies and didn't have the normal UK calling ones. As I said check if it's cheap it may not have international channels.

Bet they simply didn't know how to select International channels!

 

[Boo2]

A handheld waterproof VHF is about a third the price from the USA. Is there any significant difference?

If you intend to ever use the radio in European inland waters then you will need one that supports ATIS. I doubt that all USA imports will do this but some may. SH has a brief overview of their support for ATIS here : http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/files/What is ATIS Mode.pdf.

Hth,

Boo2

 

[prv]

Bet they simply didn't know how to select International channels!

+1

Far more likely that people didn't know how to change a setting they've never needed to worry about before, than that some company is cranking out US-only radios. The channels we use here (apart from M and M2) are not "UK channels", they are "everywhere in the world except North America" channels. The actual radio circuits are all digitally controlled, within a certain range the hardware can dial up any frequency the software asks for. So there's no additional cost in having both channel lists, just a small amount of additional programming when a new unit is first being designed. It makes no sense not to do this, and forever limit your market to one inward-looking part of the world.

Pete

 

[crewman]

M1 and M2 are private channels reserved in the UK for Club safety boats and Race control so cruisers are unlikely to use them.

 

[VicMallows]

The 'US' setting can be quite useful.......many of 'our' duplex channels are simplex channels in the US. Switching to 'US' enables you to hear the 'boat' side of the conversation.

Easiest if you have two sets available and especially useful for Ch80 in the Solent. (I often think it unfortunate that 80 is duplex .... impossible otherwise to know if channel is clear before transmitting).

 

[pvb]

The 'US' setting can be quite useful.......many of 'our' duplex channels are simplex channels in the US. Switching to 'US' enables you to hear the 'boat' side of the conversation.

Easiest if you have two sets available and especially useful for Ch80 in the Solent. (I often think it unfortunate that 80 is duplex .... impossible otherwise to know if channel is clear before transmitting).

Agreed, I often listen to 80A on the handheld - can be fascinating!

 

[prv]

(I often think it unfortunate that 80 is duplex .... impossible otherwise to know if channel is clear before transmitting).

+1. No idea why they decided to pick a duplex channel to nominate as the marina one.

I have a scanner that covers the marine VHF range among other things. Perhaps I should put it aboard for this kind of purpose

Pete

 

[oceanfroggie]

Lets remember VHF sets are used and designed for yachts that cruise the globe.

You simply change the settings of a set sold through US market to "international" channels and it will work perfectly in UK. You'll be missing the rarely used private M1 and M2 marina channels, but who really needs those these days if ever. Mobile phones are what most use to book berths and liaise with marinas. Even after paying VAT, duty and shipping most VHF and other marine electronics are considerably less expensive than European distribution channels.

You'll get the usual balony protectionist excuses from UK and European distributors about CE marks and ratings, etc, but do any of us really doubt the quality of US sourced electronics. Weither we buy gear here or overseas, they are all made in the same far east factories, all that varies is the number of middlemen getting a slice between you the consumer and the manufacturer.