DSC VHF radio

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HONEYMOMMY

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I wouldn't bother for the time being.

Non tidal use barely needs a VHF. I only use ours for club functions, and thats only when approaching moorings or entering boat handling.

Utterly superfluous otherwise, usually leave it switched off...:o
 
Pretty much all the same,but......

Go for whatever takes your fancy,however just a couple of caveats,who will sort it if it goes wrong and you need to get it sorted in a hurry .
Some of the cheaper units have fixed price replacement system,you pay £75,00 or whatever and they send you another previously repaired unit
Also a nice big screen with large numerals and decent speaker would be nice.I recently got rid of a Midland something or other due to weeny display and a speaker that was barely audiable with engine at high revs.
 
Standard Horizon is a good brand - part of the same group as Yaesu who are one of the most respected amateur radio brands.
 
HONEYMOMMY said:
HI all,
Thinking about replacing non DSC VHF with this

Standard Horizon GX1600 VHF (in white) - £149.95
http://www.marinesuperstore.com/posit/shop/index.php?selectedpartno=99326579++++++++++++

Along with handset for fly bridge
http://www.marinesuperstore.com/posit/shop/index.php?selectedpartno=99278281++++++++++++

Any one got any knowledge of these, seems to be a reasonable price :confused:

My suggestion would be slow down a bit! Boating is a relaxing pastime particularly on the river. Enjoy gaining the experience and expertise from that on offer but don't let your enthusiasm get the better of you. VHF on the non tidal is full of irrelevant chit chat and gets on your nerves.Take your time its your first season in a new hobby. The Thames is a haven from the rush of modern life, slow and steady is the game and not trying to keep up with the Joneses. You do not have to have the latest Nike trainers on the river, quite the opposite in my case.:)
Click to expand...
 
Get a VHF, you'll find it handy and it gives you the flexibility if and when you head onto the tideway.

No need to buy an expensive one but they are a sensible bit of safety kit. Personally I always buy ICOM kit. Its one of the best brands out there and they will last the longest. Our Rib has got the M505 with the Command Mic, expensive but we need uber reliable gear

We were on the Thames near Henley last weekend and there were quite a few people on the VHF radio.

CJL
 
And don't forget you'll need the obligatory twin 30 foot aerials to go with the VHF plus an open aray radar that MUST be seen to be going round whilst cruising :rolleyes:.
 
Radio use on the non-tidal Thames is very low and there is no real use (no marinas/harbours/coastguard to call)

DSC use is even lower. I have never had a DSC contact and I go to sea more often than I am on the Thames.

Stick with what you have and see what use you get from it. If you get a lot of use then upgrade.

One recommendation however. Get one with the biggest buttons and biggest displayed alphanumerics you can. If you are ever at sea, trying to read the display and press buttons, without glasses, as you bounce around in the swell you will wish you had gone for one with a few large buttons rather than a very fancy and impressive set of buttons that are impossible to press with sausages.

And make sure it has a "lock" switch to prevent inadvertent channel changes when bouncing around. These are lessons learnt!
 
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"No need to buy an expensive one but they are a sensible bit of safety kit. Personally I always buy ICOM kit."

"Get one with the biggest buttons and biggest displayed alphanumerics you can."


100% agree with above posts.

On the upper Thames a VHF is not a vital priority and you can survive without one,but if you have £150.00 burning a hole in your purse and fancy treating your boat to something shiney with knobs on, get your new radio.

Probably the only sensible item you will have bought in the first mad flush of boat ownership that will still make sense next season,this among a whole heap of stuff purchased but all now mouldering away unused in the garage at home,until finally ending up on Ebay.
:)
 
Standard Horizon is fine I have one which does the job well enough, spends most of its life in locker until needed on the tideway about once a year. Unless you are definitey going tidal this year I'd save the money:)
 
Don't forget you need to go on the Ofcom website to register the ships radio licence (free) and then pay to do the RYA VHF/SRC course to get a licence to use it.
 
In which case he needs a shiny new DSC radio. :D

Standard Horizon (Yaesu) is a good make. I have both Icom & Standard Horizon radios (I & my family are also licenced radio amateurs).

I like Icom best, but to be honest there is not much in it.
 
HONEYMOMMY said:
Ian did the course last week. :D
Click to expand...

OK, good you've done the course and well done. But the VHF is not a CB radio or a substitute for the mobile phone as I am sure you will have been told! Just listen to the inane chit chat when you activate your unit.
Another one of my hobby horses I'm afraid as it gets on my nerves. I now never bother to switch it on when on the non tidal whats the point!
 
Ramage said:
In which case he needs a shiny new DSC radio. :D

Standard Horizon (Yaesu) is a good make. I have both Icom & Standard Horizon radios (I & my family are also licenced radio amateurs).

I like Icom best, but to be honest there is not much in it.
Click to expand...

See.. A man that gets it... :D Boys and their toys... LOL.

I have to say it's a lot cheaper than the link to the Jaguar car he fanicies.... :eek:
 
CJL said:
Get a VHF, you'll find it handy and it gives you the flexibility if and when you head onto the tideway.

No need to buy an expensive one but they are a sensible bit of safety kit. Personally I always buy ICOM kit. Its one of the best brands out there and they will last the longest. Our Rib has got the M505 with the Command Mic, expensive but we need uber reliable gear

We were on the Thames near Henley last weekend and there were quite a few people on the VHF radio.

CJL
Click to expand...

all the more reason to switch it off :)
 
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