VHF DSC Fixed Radios: Why no built-in GPS?

[RIB_imposter]

The Standard Horizon looks a great piece of kit - but something a lot smaller and simpler and cheaper is surely what's wanted.

Why on earth should the EU make it legal to sell hand-held VHF DSC radios with integral GPS in Europe but make it illegal to sell the fixed equivalent? This is surely nonesense.

The prime function of a VHF radio is to make distress calls and tell the coastguards where you are. Why should the EU decide to make it illegal to sell fixed VHF sets which automatically give the coastguards an accurate GPS position at the very time when it's most difficult to do so?

What the EU should surely do is make it illegal to sell VHF DSC fixed sets WITHOUT a GPS in them. They're far more likely to save your life than a lifejacket.

I don't think you understand how European type approval works. They've not made it illegal to produce a set that does this. Such a set would require approval and no manufacturer has invested the cost required. Its is only VERY recently that S/H have managed to get approval for their integrated gps/dsc-vhf hand held in Europe.

 

[bitman]

You should not IMHO rely on a GPS antenna working 'indoors', particularly for safety purposes.

so what about on ribs or on your flying bridge?

 

[mainsail]

....."European Type Approval"?. Who cares about European anything?

I need a fixed VHF DSC marine radios with GPS built-in. I'll buy it direct from the USA and let the EU bureaucrats to their worst.

 

[pvb]

I need a fixed VHF DSC marine radios with GPS built-in. I'll buy it direct from the USA and let the EU bureaucrats to their worst.

Which one are you going to buy?

 

[SHUG]

You should be cautious about wishing for an all purpose instrument. For some people the ideal instrument (or "radio") would have.

VHF channels
DSC capability
AIS
Navtex
MW/LW reception for weather forecasts
GPS readout
Chartplotting capability
MP3 player

This is all technically possible but when it all goes pear-shaped because an internal battery has failed ... you are in trouble!!

 

[FishyInverness]

....."European Type Approval"?. Who cares about European anything?

I need a fixed VHF DSC marine radios with GPS built-in. I'll buy it direct from the USA and let the EU bureaucrats to their worst.

Before you go any further with that thinking, have a read of:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249143

 

[northwind]

Standard Horizon are launching a fixed VHF DSC with built in GPS.. the web says it will be launched in Feb..

http://www.panbo.com/archives/2011/12/standard_horizon_gx1700_finally_a_fixed_vhf_w_gps_built_in.html

 

[Kelpie]

I'd also pondered on why they couldn't add a <£20 GPS module to a fixed VHF.
In my experience, signal strength is not a problem as my VHF is mounted under the sidedeck where it would get a clearer signal than my HH GPS which I use quite happily on the chart table.
Also, the arguments about 'eggs in one basket' are there for individuals to decide. I would be very happy to have my plotter working on its own in the cockpit, and the VHF having its own dedicated receiver which could feasibly work as a backup (although I have my HH for that anyway).

The need to get the radio taking to the plotter is one of the main reasons I haven't upgraded to DSC yet.

 

[ithet]

Standard Horizon are launching a fixed VHF DSC with built in GPS.. the web says it will be launched in Feb..

.. in the USA! It took over a year from US launch before euro versions of GX2100 and GX1600 radio's became available. And many of their items do not make it here at all, look on their US website.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I think the reason why there is such a reluctance to upgrade to DSC is that it is of limited use without AIS. To call a freighter on a possible close encounter, you need it's MMSI as they may or may not be listening in on ch16. I've always had DSC sets on my boats but have never called or received on DSC. Position info on my first boat was via a Garmin GPS76 (handheld).
An all-in-one DSC/VHF/AIS/GPS/plotter with remote mike would be great - preferably with LW for listening to the forecast.

 

[ditchcrawler]

On the S/H 2100 which has AIS you can see the details of the ship and usually the name and just press the call button and it calls the ship.

 

[Boreades]

Just to give this thread an update, the Standard Horizon GX1700 (with GPS) is available in the UK

http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=178_173&products_id=100039

One review: http://www.panbo.com/archives/2011/...x1700_finally_a_fixed_vhf_w_gps_built_in.html

Yachbits have it at £190
http://www.yachtbits.com/standard_horizon/_gx1700e_dsc_vhf_with_built_in_gps.php

It does have a built-in (internal) GPS antenna, but also has an input for an external GPS antenna. The SH optional external GPS antenna's part number is Q7000619A - the UK price seems to be c.£100, but it supplies the GPS signal via a pair of NMEA signal cables, so any similar and cheaper GPS antenna might do just as well?

 

[winsbury]

I don't think you understand how European type approval works. They've not made it illegal to produce a set that does this. Such a set would require approval and no manufacturer has invested the cost required. Its is only VERY recently that S/H have managed to get approval for their integrated gps/dsc-vhf hand held in Europe.

I asked the SH rep during the Southampton show for that does everything model...they no longer make it as demand was poor, price was high, consumers worried if one thing went wrong they were completely stuffed, no CE approval etc etc, basically they could do it and have tried it inthe US maeket but seems boaters dont really want it.

 

[Colvic Watson]

I think you can pick up a gps mushroom with nmea out...

Can you recommend me one please - I need to fit one.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Can you recommend me one please - I need to fit one.

BR-355, although you need to give it a 5V supply. A future YAPP is to make up a small circuit that takes 12V in and connects and powers to a BR-355.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GlobalSat...7?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4ac3d431cf