Dual station VHF sets

[BlueSkyNick]

Like many boats, we have the fixed VHF/DSC at the chart table, with a second speaker in the companion way. As I spend much of my time in the cockpit, especially in confined waters, I make more use of the handheld. Of course, the range isn't much and the battery always seems to die at just the wrong time.

So I am looking for a VHF set with the main station at the chart table, and a second handset, preferably at the wheel. This will make life easier when we are entering marinas etc, and also if needed in emergency. So far, I have only found a Raymarine 215.

Anybody know of any others suitable for a 34' saily boat - ie not too flash/expensive.

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[Moose]

What do you mean by expensive?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.phantom37.co.uk>http://www.phantom37.co.uk</A>
Moose

 

[AIDY]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mesltd.co.uk/Products/pages/products/ZICOM601.001.shtm> Icom M-601 </A> is a great bit of kit with the additional command mic, although quite expensive.

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Dunno, without looking at the actual numbers. About £400 would be acceptable - am I way off?

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

That looks pretty good, at first glance. The fog horn feature might be useful, but not bothered about the intercom or loud hailer.

Looks like I need to increase my price expectation - or look for a bargain at LBS in January!

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[robp]

I've got a Simrad dual station which is great. But to save the expense of a new fixed set, why don't you just have a handheld up top? Even though I've got dual station I use the handheld for marinas because it's cordless and just that bit easier. If you are at sea and need long distance, going below is not such an issue.

Plus, these new Cobras are incredible value!
Rob

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[AIDY]

Yup the fog horn feature is good. Not used the hailer.

I picked one up from LIBS for about 470ish. which included the main set command mic and hailer speaker. Although I had to spend an extra 20 pounds for another extension cable, as I had to take the command mic cable round the houses to get to the wheel.

If you are limited for room at the nav station the icom is rather big to slot in.

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[steverow]

My suggestion would be to get an entirely separate fixed set and antenna, thereby doubling your safety redundancy.
A simple DSC radio and antenna is likely to cost much less than a twin station unit, without the complications of additional station wiring to go wrong.
You dont have to spend a fortune to get something reasonable these days.
The NASA SX35 is favoured by many, or there is a cobra even cheaper, which is purportedly waterproof when flush mounted. The market is full of 'em for less than £200 at the mo.

Steve.

"You cant have too many radios" (as long as you dont want to use 'em all at once).

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[robp]

Not a bad idea!

Except that you might need to mount the aerials apart. More knowledgeable RF experts will probably disagree but would it be possible to overload the front end of the "receiving" set?

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[steverow]

Yes it would be a good idea to get some separation, to prevent front end overload, but the risks are really no more than an adjacent vessel transmitting very close which happens all the time. However as they probably wont be used concurrently, keep the "other" set turned off until needed.

Steve.


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[Ships_Cat]

Our Icom takes the remote Command Mic but decided against it as plug connectors out in the weather are always a problem and to place the connector under cover meant, in our case, having a long cable draping through the cockpit to the wheel. So went for a handheld solution as another has suggested.

We have an extension speaker to the cockpit (it is under cover) with a weatherproof switch on it so it can be turned off. I looked for and found an el cheapo handheld VHF (ours is spray proof but not swim proof) that clips into a standard microphone clip which I put on the side of the console at the helm.

So, we normally have the main fixed set running on receive through the external speaker and use the handheld to answer anything if we need and cannot safely go down below (in those circumstances the handheld always seems to be in range). The need for the switch on the external speaker is that one has to switch it off to avoid audio feedback to handheld's transmission through the main set's receiving of it (ie squeal).

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Stemar]

No expertise in the matter, but I seem to recall that most of the signal is emitted horizontally from the antenna, so as long as they aren't at the same level, they should be fine.

Doubtless others more knowledgeable can confirm or correct.

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[pvb]

Shame you don\'t live in the US...

For some reason, the US seems to get much nicer (and cheaper) technology much sooner than we do. There are various VHF DSC units available in the US with wireless handheld full-function mikes, at silly prices. West Marine do a waterproof (JIS-7) Uniden VHF DSC fixed set with a fistmike, plus a wireless handheld mike, all for under $300. You could buy one, but of course it wouldn't be legal for you to install it here.

You mentioned the Raymarine 215 - there seems to be a steady stream of these on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://search.ebay.co.uk/raymarine_W0QQsojsZ1QQfromZR40>eBay</A>, typically at around half list price.

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[LadyInBed]

If your vhf is of the ‘telephone handset’ type you could buy a second handset and ‘T’ it off the original on a long permanently wired cable to the helm position.

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[BlueSkyNick]

I already have a hand held in the cockpit but the range is limited, as is the battery charge. Having read about the complications of additional wiring into the cockpit, I might just stick with it.

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Seems reasonable - there is no hurry, so I will have a look around at the show.
The space is not a big problem - I have sufficient height for it.

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Current handset is a fist mike with lots of buttons - on a Silva S15 which I bought as an inexpensive, fully featured set. I don't find it very user friendly, and have subsequently bought a decent Navtex so that feature is redundant on the Silva.

It might be possible to T the handset as you suggest, but that wouldn't allow access to the controls - choice of channel in particular.

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[bigmart]

I bought the new Standard fixed set from Cactus at SBS. MES were also offering the same set. It has all the functions of the Icom M601 including the Second Station Mike, Loudhaler & Fog Horn Plus you can operate all the functions(including the DSC) from the Second Station Mike (the Icom only does standard VHF not DSC). It has a super loud/clear built in speaker in the main unit. Costs about £370.00 including the Second Station Mike.

In Japan & the States Standard are considered at least the equivalent to Icom in quality terms.

Martin

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[BlueSkyNick]

Sounds spot on, thanks Martin. I will check into them.

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as reality, only different people's perceptions of a situation.

 

[Gunfleet]

Nick you might want to be sure the second station kit can be read in the dark, because that's when I find myself often using the vhf in the cockpit - ch 80, that sort of thing. I have a hand held. Though the channels screen is back-lit the buttons aren't! Steering, holding a torch and operating the vhf will quickly bring you to the conclusion your parents equipped you with one hand too few.

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