Replacement VHF

[MJWB]

I'm considering upgrading my VHF to a modern DSC unit. The current unit works and seems to work well, but I'd like to get it up to a modern standard as I rather suspect it's pretty old now. I will buy one with onboard GPS. Not sure about other more bells and whistles type features. Talking a about a 26 footer here and of course the aerial is at the top of the mast.

May I please seek the views of forum members for it is helpful without doubt.
1. Any make and model recommendations or things to avoid?
2. Will I need to replace the masthead aerial or cabling?

Many thanks for any help.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I have a soft spot for Icom as I think they’re well made.
You don’t need to replace the coaxial cable and antenna unless they are degraded (usually through water ingress and corrosion) or they are damaged.

However for the £80/£90 of a new antenna perhaps it’s worth it to make sure everything is perfect? Put grease or Vaseline on all the connections is one tip.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Standard Horizon or Icom. both top notch companies.

 

[PeterGR]

Standard Horizon or Icom. both top notch companies.

Ditto that - Icom & Standard Horizon are solid choices.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

If you want to receive AIS you can get that integrated in some VHF radios. No separate aerial or splitter needed.

 

[prv]

Same two recommendations for brands - my personal preference is Standard Horizon, but that's mostly just familiarity.

I'm a big fan of being able to operate the radio from the cockpit. In larger boats that means choosing one with a remote handset, though in a 26-footer you may be able to reach it through the companionway (that's how my previous 24-footer was set up). Something to consider, anyway.

Pete

 

[vic008]

I have a Lowrance Link6 that I absolutely hate! Forever squacking about wanting a SSM number or position entered.

 

[lustyd]

I had standard horizon on the old boat and loved it. Icom on the new boat and hate it the interface is hard and lacks some things I think should be there. I’ll be replacing with the B&G AIS unit as it’s the only one with full AIS and also they have wireless command Mike’s for the cockpit which seems like a nice feature.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I had standard horizon on the old boat and loved it. Icom on the new boat and hate it the interface is hard and lacks some things I think should be there. I’ll be replacing with the B&G AIS unit as it’s the only one with full AIS and also they have wireless command Mike’s for the cockpit which seems like a nice feature.

Perhaps it’s a personal thing or an older model Icom. I’ve never heard a complaint about the current ones.

Integrated GPS for DSC is available from most manufacturers. Some have AIS as well although I’m not convinced that AIS on the VHF is the best implementation of this extremely useful technology.

 

[lustyd]

It’s a 505 so not current but certainly not that old in the scheme of things. It can’t do half the things the SH could and the button configuration isn’t very intuitive in comparison.
AIS is just another bit of processing and another antenna. I can’t see a good reason not to include it in the radio.

 

[john_morris_uk]

It’s a 505 so not current but certainly not that old in the scheme of things. It can’t do half the things the SH could and the button configuration isn’t very intuitive in comparison.
AIS is just another bit of processing and another antenna. I can’t see a good reason not to include it in the radio.

If it’s just the processing then I agree. If it’s Class B then I assume (I’ve never looked into it) then I assume there’s a separate integrated transmitter that sends the data packets with the boats data out through the main VHF antenna. It’s how AIS is displayed and accessed that really makes it useful and I’ve seen images of VHF’s with tiny displays showing the plot. I like the way our AIS shows vessels on our large MFD with chart overlay. If the VHF with integrated AIS will do that then I’m with you.

 

[lustyd]

it's a separate antenna and you can optionally add a splitter if you really want to. The data is designed to be access on your MFD in the cockpit/at the chart table, and is sent over NMEA2k exactly as though you bought separate boxes for everything, just without the extra boxes and associated complexity, wiring and power draw. It's possible to see the data directly on the VHF but I can't imagine why you'd want to!

 

[Tzu]

I had standard horizon on the old boat and loved it. Icom on the new boat and hate it the interface is hard and lacks some things I think should be there. I’ll be replacing with the B&G AIS unit as it’s the only one with full AIS and also they have wireless command Mike’s for the cockpit which seems like a nice feature.

Hello Lustyd, If you want the B&G V50 now is the time to buy it.. I got mine from Cactus on a black Friday deal and they were the only people with them available i could see at the time. Its now been superseded and the new model is twice the price.

 

[lustyd]

No it's the V60-B I'm getting which is pricey but does include an AIS-B transponder and will look sexy next to my matching MFD

I'm buying it because I like it, not based on any kind of sense. Same reason I upgraded the plotter and installed fixed wifi on board - I'm a geek!

 

[Boathook]

I've got the icom m423 with command mic at the helm. Hardly use the main unit it self unless I'm down below.
Service very good from icom when display failed on main unit. They fixed it whilst I waited and put in the latest software.
It doesn't have ais on it and when I looked at combined units I realised that the screens are really to small to be of much use imho.

 

[fredrussell]

My only recommendation is, if funds allow, to get one with a numerical keypad. Typing in mmsi numbers using up/down keys soon loses its appeal.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I went for a Standard Horizon with AIS .

To me AIS and DSC go hand in hand as it means you can make a DSC radio call to a vessel using the MMSI received by the radio and makes it easy to call a ship to determine his intentions.

As said the remote mic in the cockpit is also ery handy even if the screen is vry

 

[lustyd]

It doesn't have ais on it and when I looked at combined units I realised that the screens are really to small to be of much use imho.

Why do people keep saying this utter nonsense? The screen on a VHF is infinitely better than the screen on any dedicated AIS unit I've ever seen because dedicated AIS units DON'T HAVE SCREENS!

 

[MJWB]

Same two recommendations for brands - my personal preference is Standard Horizon, but that's mostly just familiarity.

I'm a big fan of being able to operate the radio from the cockpit. In larger boats that means choosing one with a remote handset, though in a 26-footer you may be able to reach it through the companionway (that's how my previous 24-footer was set up). Something to consider, anyway.

Pete

Yep I can reach through the hatch now to where I mount the handset. I also have a portable which I tend to have in the cockpit for harbour work, speak to the guys who open the bridge. As a single hander I feel I need flexibility and make choices for upgrading very much with that in mind. Shipping not that busy up here though passes only a few miles off the coast.

 

[jwfrary]

I had standard horizon on the old boat and loved it. Icom on the new boat and hate it the interface is hard and lacks some things I think should be there. I’ll be replacing with the B&G AIS unit as it’s the only one with full AIS and also they have wireless command Mike’s for the cockpit which seems like a nice feature.

The b&g units real nice but also real expensive!

Have to say the offerings from standard horizon are good value and you get dsc over NMEA from the bottom models where as most of the other companies you only get that with the higher up models.

Anyone used the new raymarine ones. Have to say I find them decidedly ugly!

Then I’d be fitting a new sailor out of choice but not going to fix what isn’t broken!

Vintage Icom 421 here!