Time to change VHF radio?

[DanTribe]

I have a Simrad RD 68 which I am trying to get adapted for ATIS to use in Belgium & Holland.
2 issues;
1/ My local radio guys [Mantsbrite] don't know if it can be done, or how much, he's trying to find out.
2/ I've just noticed that the mike lead is frayed and about to fail, a common problem with this model I understand. The Simrad service contact is in Norway and suggested I pop along to collect a new one. [do Norwegians to irony]. How to find a replacement mike?
Or
Is it time to cut my losses and go for a new radio? If so any suggestions for a suitable replacement?

 

[prv]

I developed a serious dislike of the RD68 I inherited on Ariam, though I can't exactly remember why now

I replaced it with a Standard Horizon GX2100, because the built-in AIS avoided the need for extra aerials, splitters, etc. This may or may not be relevant to you, but either way I'd happily recommend whatever model from the Standard Horizon range matches your needs. Personally I would always go at least high enough to have physical volume, squelch, and channel knobs rather than buttons, and a cockpit remote unless your boat is small enough that you can hang the radio just inside the hatch and reach it from the cockpit.

Icom are the other main contender and equally good quality, but I've heard (from people who've used both) that their menus are not as easy to use especially when it comes to DSC functions.

Cobra are a good budget option, I have a handheld from them that has taken a hell of a beating (I once fished it and its battery pack, separately, out of the bilge of a RIB) and still keeps going.

Pete

 

[MoodySabre]

I had my SH handheld programmed for ATIS. You can only transmit on low power anyway. The reality was that in three visits of a month each I have only used it 4 or 5 times and two of those was to tell a lock keeper that my engine wouldn't restart and I was stuck in the lock! So don't bother. If you use it a couple of times who knows or cares that there is no ATIS. Pick up a marina guide at the first stop and that has all the phone numbers. Most places you just turn up and stop on a visitor pontoon and go to the office for a berth number.

Have a good trip.

 

[Burnham Bob]

My Standard Horizon has a cockpit mic as well so you don't need a handheld to hail a marina from the cockpit. There's a standard charge of less than £20 to add ATIS and if you get the correct notices of variation from OFCOM, you can add the dutch marina channel at the same time.