Command Microphone DSC radio comparison

vyv_cox

vyv_cox

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
26,493
Location
Now retired, anchor swallowed.
coxeng.co.uk
PBO compared various DSC VHF command-mic sets towards the end of last year. Unfortunately, in a spring-cleaning spree I have inadvertently thrown the magazine out. Can somebody please advise me the PBO best buy and best set from the report? As I recall, these were the only two that satisfied the requirement that Mayday broadcasts automatically switched to 25 Watts, so I want one of them, dependent upon price and dimensions.

Thanks a lot for input.
 
In the PBO review of second station Command Mic set ups the Standard Horizon GX-1500 with the CMP25 came first followed by the Standard Horizon GX-3000 with the VH-310.

Hope that helps
 
[ QUOTE ]
In the PBO review of second station Command Mic set ups the Standard Horizon GX-1500 with the CMP25 came first followed by the Standard Horizon GX-3000 with the VH-310.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats rather a broad grin you have on your face Mr Brooks!
 
I have no idea what you mean I am sure /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Martin,

That boat package of yours needs a hand held as well me thinks lol

All the best
 
OK, I\'ll ask the question then...

[ QUOTE ]
As I recall, these were the only two that satisfied the requirement that Mayday broadcasts automatically switched to 25 Watts, so I want one of them, dependent upon price and dimensions.

[/ QUOTE ]I suppose by "Mayday broadcasts" you're referring to DSC distress transmissions. As far as I was aware, these are automatically made at full power (usually 25W) - it would seem to be foolish to design a radio to do otherwise. Are you saying that only 2 of the radios tested automatically transmit DSC distress calls at high power?
 
Re: OK, I\'ll ask the question then...

[quote As far as I was aware, these are automatically made at full power (usually 25W) - it would seem to be foolish to design a radio to do otherwise. Are you saying that only 2 of the radios tested automatically transmit DSC distress calls at high power?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the Standard Vertex vm 3500e and, AFAIK, my model doesnt change to high power automatically for DSC emergency transmissions, although I believe that this was changed on later models after I had bought mine...

Perhaps Jon can clarify on this one... I bought from Marine Superstore in March 2006.

Cheers

Richard
 
Re: OK, I\'ll ask the question then...

As I said, I don't have the magazine any more. My recollection is that they tested a number of these sets and virtually rejected all but two in the rankings because they did not switch to 25 Watts for DSC distress transmissions.

I don't discount the possibility that I am not remembering correctly as I did not study the article at the time, only decided recently to buy a new set.
 
When I bought a DSC radio I went for the Raymarine 54e, I liked it because the mike cable was more flexible than the Icom, which I did in fact prefer.

I installed the radio at the helm, after all that's where I want to use it. This though has presented problems, in certain conditions, too much wind noise over the mike and secondly and more important, I'm not convinced that the radio is as waterproof as claimed.

I want to be able to access my radio at the helm, to do this I use a hand held. I do wish now I had installed a second station capable system.

Do you do P/X Jon?
 
All of the Standard units now switch to high power when a DSC call is sent or you change to channel 16.

Due to the way the spec was then written, has now been changed, the early VM-3500 did change to high for a DSC call but did not change to high power if you had selected low power on a channel then changed to CH16.
A number of sets on the market did not or don't.

There is a firmware upgrade for the VM-3500 if your set does not change power setting.
Ship it back to us here with a covering note and will upgrade the firmware in the units for you FOC.

I understand the comments re high selecting were in a previous test on DSC radio's and not the recent one on Command Mic's.
All three of our radio's faired very well in this review.

All the best
 
I think Mr Brooks' answer is a bit selective, not surprisingly. The PBO report rated three sets as worthy of 5 Stars - the two Standard Horizon sets mentioned and the ICOM M505. PBO stated "if you are on a budget, the Standard Horizon GX1500E together with the CMP25B command mike (the cheapest) would be the best combination" - not quite the same as saying that it "came first" without qualification. In fact, if anyone is particularly interested in audio quality PBO said of the ICOM 505 "audio quality was excellent, equalled only by its own command mike".

I'm sure all three sets are excellent but Standard Horizon did not have it all its own way!
 
jleaworthy,

With all due respect from the review:-

CMP25- Best Buy.
GX-1500 with CMP25- Best Buy.

"There was a unanimous agreement that, if you're on a budget, the Standard Horizon GX-1500e together with the CMP25 Command Mic would be the best combination.
If money were no object the team voted unanimously for the Standard Horizon GX-3000e with VH310 handset"

Hope that helps.
 
Should'nt phase you to much, Icom are a good company, only thing I've heard they can't keep their staff! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: OK, I\'ll ask the question then...

Glad to hear that, and thanks for all replies. I have ordered the GX-1500/CMP25 combination, and am expecting it to arrive tomorrow. Most importantly it should fit the available space without too much hole enlarging.
 
Be nice if we could buy these in the UK...

Be nice if we could buy the Uniden 625 in the UK! At last, a sensible screen on a radio. And you can use up to 4 wireless waterproof Wham mics with it!
UM625C.jpg
WHAMx4BK.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top