Upgrading to DSC VHF - Which one?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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Ok so there seems to be some huge differences between prices online but with little difference in specification.

I've always rated the Cobra stuff even at the low price. My handheld is Cobra and the ones I use inland also for mountaineering have been great.

For example there is one here for less than £100 but then many others are double that? Does anyone know what the genuine differences are?

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/marine-vhf-radio-equipment/cobra/f55eu.bhtml
 
Which plotter/GPS do you have? For example if you have a Garmin plotter there may be some additional features available if you integrate with a Garmin VHF.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
If you don't have, but might want, an AIS receiver then getting one with AIS combined saves money and wiring. Uses the same aerial. Navicom make one, as do others.
Click to expand...

I have this one - http://www.force4.co.uk/9657/Radio-Ocean-RO4800-DSC-VHF-Radio-with-Integral-AIS-Receiver.html

Advantages for me are;
- AIS, one antenna so no need to fit a 2nd.
- AIS works with my plotter.
- Command mic has number keys, so quick entry of channel (and MMSI should I ever use the facility).
- Has an optional wireless remote mic which I use in the cockpit. Similar to a handheld but with the full 25W available and the antenna is at the top of the mast.

But if you include the remote mic it's nearer £300.
Also it doesn't have a built in GPS.
 
Whatever make you buy, the best add on is a cockpit command mike, and I recommend that even if you do not install one immediately, you should make sure that whatever you buy can take a second station remote command mike. I have used a Standard Horizon GX1500E for a few years now, and when sailing I never have to go below to operate it because I added the optional command mike.
 
macd said:
I recently bought the same thing. Good piece of kit (despite the 'Radio Ocean' branding, its actually made by Furuno). About £100 cheaper than a comparable Standard Horizon AIS VHF.
Click to expand...

I should add, the remote mic doesn't have the number buttons, so you have to use up/down keys for channel selection. Nor does the remote mic have a Mayday button, you still need to go to the main unit for that.
 
JohnGC said:
I have this one - http://www.force4.co.uk/9657/Radio-Ocean-RO4800-DSC-VHF-Radio-with-Integral-AIS-Receiver.html

Advantages for me are;
- AIS, one antenna so no need to fit a 2nd.
- AIS works with my plotter.
- Command mic has number keys, so quick entry of channel (and MMSI should I ever use the facility).
- Has an optional wireless remote mic which I use in the cockpit. Similar to a handheld but with the full 25W available and the antenna is at the top of the mast.

But if you include the remote mic it's nearer £300.
Also it doesn't have a built in GPS.
Click to expand...

+1

We've just bought the RO4800 and P4800 wireless second station - £269.90 for the pair. Adding a GlobalSat SIRF IV GPS mouse to give the AIS the GPS data.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
If you don't have, but might want, an AIS receiver then getting one with AIS combined saves money and wiring.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. Does it have an alarm function when something comes within range.. i.e. a kind of substitute for radar if I haven't already got one.
 
northcave said:
That's interesting. Does it have an alarm function when something comes within range.. i.e. a kind of substitute for radar if I haven't already got one.
Click to expand...

Yes. Although the display on the radio is really too small to work with, so you would want to pass the AIS data on to either a dedicated display (I have a Vesper Watchmate) or a capable plotter. You would then disable the alarm in the radio and use the one in the display instead.

Note also that describing AIS as a "substitute for radar" is one of the forum's hot-buttons :). As people will be keen to point out, not everything transmits on AIS (even a few of those that are supposed to), and it also can't be used for navigational purposes like radar can. In my opinion it's most useful as an aid to crossing the Channel lanes calmly and efficiently, and as an augmentation to lookout in empty seas, but I wouldn't plan to rely on it in fog.

Pete
 
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The RO 4800 does and so does the plotter I have it connected to. I don't have 1st hand experience of others.

The alarm settings are based on 2 calculated values; closest distance and time to closest distance. The alarm can be programmed to sound on a few different setting for each of these values. I have the alarm turned off around ports and harbours as it's just too busy (constantly having to cancel the alarm is very distracting) but in open water such as crossing the channel it is a great additional lookout.
 
JohnGC said:
Nor does the remote mic have a Mayday button, you still need to go to the main unit for that.
Click to expand...

That's a real pity. Part of the reason I wanted a cockpit mic is that I often sail two-up, and if one person falls over the side then the other is not going to be able to leave the cockpit. A voice mic certainly helps, but really the single person is likely to be too busy working the boat to hold lengthy discussions or report his position (and the Coastguard these days seem particularly insistent on getting a numerical lat and long). Being able to just hold down the red button for a few seconds while still manoeuvring for recovery is definitely preferable.

I wonder why they left it off.

Pete
 
prv said:
That's a real pity. Part of the reason I wanted a cockpit mic is that I often sail two-up, and if one person falls over the side then the other is not going to be able to leave the cockpit. A voice mic certainly helps, but really the single person is likely to be too busy working the boat to hold lengthy discussions or report his position (and the Coastguard these days seem particularly insistent on getting a numerical lat and long). Being able to just hold down the red button for a few seconds while still manoeuvring for recovery is definitely preferable.

I wonder why they left it off.

Pete
Click to expand...

I agree that if the remote had the mayday button it would be perfect. I don't known why they left it off but a couple of possibilities are;
- A mayday button would have to resist accidental operation when the handset is in a pocket or rattling around the cockpit. So probably couldn't be "standard".
- The wireless link may not be considered sufficiently reliable - although I've not had a problem with it.

Having said that, sending a voice mayday at 25W with the antenna at the top of the mast stands more chance of being heard than with a hand-held in the cockpit at 5W.

The remote mic also has an LCD display which shows Lat, long & SOG plus the radio channel.
 
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macd said:
Sooo sorry. Senior moment. Couldn't see the mike from where I was sat.
Do you think a stiff sundowner might teach me the error of my ways?
Cheers.
Click to expand...

Sawl right, it will soon be my turn. Wouldn't like to offer advice on the stiff one though:p
 
The Standard Horizon RAM3 remote handset does allow remote access to distress/mayday - at least according to the blurb. I don't have one, but am considering getting the AIS radio and remote - we normally sail two up and having full access to the radio from on deck will be useful.

Neil
 
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