VHF on a cruising yacht?

[coopec]

My Son has offered me a Navman 7200 VHF Radio (25 W) as well as a Depth Sounder (I think for nothing) ?.
I've been doing a bit of googling and come to the conclusion .

• VHF is good for line-of-site communication (20+ mile?)
• allows instant communication between your boat and other boats, marinas, bridges, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
• the Navman VHF 7200 is discontinued
• the Navman VHF 7200 is a digital radio

Is the Navman radio junk these days or is it still usable?

NOTE: I plan to have a UHF radio as well

 

[john_morris_uk]

The Navman 7200 is an excellent radio from the reviews I’ve read. You’ll need to get your boats MMSI programmed into it. If it’s working it’s definitely not junk. The difference in performance between the various mainstream 25 watt vhf radios is so marginal that you can ignore it. The main difference is ease of controls and that’s a personal choice.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘I’ll install a UHF radio as well. There are no marine UHF radios that I’m aware of outside the military
Ship to shore (eg Coast Guard) you can often achieve much more than 20 miles with a VHF radio.
Why look a gift horse in the mouth?

 

[EugeneR]

Analog VHF remains the standard for marine line of sight use and the Navman 7200 will do as good a job as any other in that role.

UHF channels are different and not used for that purpose.

I presume digital, in this context, refers to how the radio works - not the signal - and is a plus point for this radio

In fact, I see the 7200 as a quality radio - I had the 7100 but the 7200 is the same but more features - and I would pick that above some of the cheaper new brands on the market today. (I would probably not surface mount it because, given its age, it may expire and then you have the hassle of modifying the hole)

 

[EugeneR]

I think OP was thinking about walkie talkies using UHF. Really useful, yes.

Where allowed, one can program VHF and UHF into the same set, and even increase power a lot. Very convenient e.g. between parties on land or sea.

Side comment: after posting, I'm getting loads of VHF radio ads on here. I guess the ybw ad targetting works.

 

[coopec]

The Navman 7200 is an excellent radio from the reviews I’ve read. You’ll need to get your boats MMSI programmed into it. If it’s working it’s definitely not junk. The difference in performance between the various mainstream 25 watt vhf radios is so marginal that you can ignore it. The main difference is ease of controls and that’s a personal choice.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘I’ll install a UHF radio as well. There are no marine UHF radios that I’m aware of outside the military
Ship to shore (eg Coast Guard) you can often achieve much more than 20 miles with a VHF radio.
Why look a gift horse in the mouth?

You say "I’ll install a UHF radio as well. There are no marine UHF radios that I’m aware of outside the military"

What I meant was one of these:
UNIDEN UH5060NB REMOTE UHF RADIO 80 CH + CBA2T1 4WD ANTENNA NEW CB 80CH CHANNEL | eBay

There was a 27.82 Mhz band in Australia but I thought it was phased out. This link seems to confirm that:
"Dec 2, 2020 · Citizens’ Band (CB) radio has been with us in Australia since the early 1970s. Originally 27MHz frequency, CB radio in Australia transitioned to 477MHz UHF in the late 1970s"

 

[coopec]

I think OP was thinking about walkie talkies using UHF. Really useful, yes.

Where allowed, one can program VHF and UHF into the same set, and even increase power a lot. Very convenient e.g. between parties on land or sea.

Side comment: after posting, I'm getting loads of VHF radio ads on here. I guess the ybw ad targetting works.

You comment "Where allowed, one can program VHF and UHF into the same set, and even increase power a lot. Very convenient e.g. between parties on land or sea"

Do you mean one of these VHF/UHF sets?
25W UHF/VHF Dual Band 200 Channels Car Vehicle Mobile Radio Transceiver Radios A | eBay

 

[Uricanejack]

A marine band VHF radio is one of those things I rarely use but prefer not to be without. JIK I ever do want to contact someone.
My current boat has an old but functional one, non DSC and I have a hand held, which just doesn’t have the power of a fitted radio but comes in handy.
So if it’s a good radio, it’s worth while.
No idea what the UHF is about or why you might want one. For Europeans the concept of remote is very different to mine as a Canadian and possibly your as an Australian.
Even so Canadian coastal waters are well covered by VHF stations. My recollection so are Australian waters. VHF particularly if it is a DSC with the red button. is by far your best bet if you want assistance. Though limited for communication with other vessels.

 

[Neeves]

In Australia VHF Marine Safety covers much more than 20nm, or it does cover 20nm but this is extended to cover virtually all of Australia's coast line by use of repeaters. There are, or were, gaps, bits of The Bight and some of the tropical north. But apart from minor gaps we have 100% coastal coverage. Obviously if you are more than 20nm offshore, easy in Oz, you may fall out of contact, even with repeaters.

If you want 100% guarantees and 100% coverage you need satellite or SSB ( the latter covered for emergency by Kordia)

If you want to be able to keep updated by these august pages - you will be probably need satellite or SSB.

Much depends on why you are asking the questions- or what you want in the way of communications.

Jonathan

 

[Refueler]

There was a 27.82 Mhz band in Australia but I thought it was phased out. This link seems to confirm that:
"Dec 2, 2020 · Citizens’ Band (CB) radio has been with us in Australia since the early 1970s. Originally 27MHz frequency, CB radio in Australia transitioned to 477MHz UHF in the late 1970s"

The 27Mhz band is and was used by others ... mainly RC modellers and in the upper end of the band - or when CB'rs added boosters - models were 'shot down' out of the sky. In those days - being non frequency hopping - the signal relied on a clean connection TX to RX ...
477 was a solution that did not go down well with CB users as most were buying in 'USA' based CB radios ... it was NOT illegal to sell or buy such 27Mhz CB's - but became questionable as to legality of use. The situation was mirrored in UK.
Eventually RC was given other freq bands .... 35Mhz ... 40Mhz ... 42Mhz .... which solved the issue and of course later 2.4Ghz arrived with Frequency Hopping allowing literally whole field of radios to work simultaneously without conflict.

CB / UHF on a boat ?? For what ? Unless staying inland waters ??

 

[Refueler]

Today .... I think the best combination for most boaters ..... VHF radio and a decent mobile phone.

IF venturing offshore - then a more serious setup may be called for such as SSB or Satcom .....

 

[coopec]

Today .... I think the best combination for most boaters ..... VHF radio and a decent mobile phone.

IF venturing offshore - then a more serious setup may be called for such as SSB or Satcom .....

It is a long time since I seriously looked at communications but I agree with you VHF is the standard method of communication for ship/shore and ship/ship.(20+ mile range) I became confused when I read "UNIDEN UHF UH955 HANDHELD MARINE RADIO | eBay

SSB is more expensive than I want to spend (Around $A4000) so it would have to be a satellite phone but what system? (Elon Musk is pushing his idea now, Garmin InReach may be obsolete shortly ). I'll probably settle for a secondhand Motorola Iridium phone costing around $600. (Apparently that system is still working)

I just powered the Navman VHF up with the battery charger and immediately the screen lit up with "Channel 16 Distress" and "Channel 72 Ship/Ship" etc. It also made some reference to GPS?

It is looking good!

 

[snowbird30ds]

I had a navman 7100 and if offered one for free would turn it down and buy a standard horizon or icom, it was the most unreliable pile of rebadged junk I've had, first the dsc chip failed then after an expensive repair I found I was getting better coms from the ancient shoreline vhf in the cabin, even in a lock talking to the lockie I could hear him from the cabin but not from the navman at the helm, vhf is an important safety device so I will stick with quality kit now and avoid the savings of cheap tat.
I think I found one badged as polestar 7100 that was identical so they came under different names.
I seemed to have so much trouble calling in to harbours but never had a problem since switching to the SH.

 

[vyv_cox]

If your intention is to install AIS it would follow that VHF radio is pretty much essential for communication with any ships on a collision course with you.

 

[KevinV]

Check the curly cord for degradation before you go to the bother of installing it - to my great disappointment it's not replaceable (and I tried really hard). Real shame because it has twiddly knobs on the set (my preference over push buttons) and full controls on the mic - pretty good for what was a budget set. No manufacturer support.
I have the full manual for it if you need it, happy to post it.

 

[Bilgediver]

I don’t know what you mean by ‘I’ll install a UHF radio as well. There are no marine UHF radios that I’m aware of outside the military

There are marine UHF radios for those that need them. Where most of us see them in use is on cruise ships where many crew members carry a UHF radio Many commercial ships use UHF radios . This is because UHF manages to reach internal spaces of steel ships that VHF does not.

Icom will sell them to you but they are no advantage to leisure sailors other than a little more privacy.

Marine Radio - Icom UK
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/84518/IR_2035.pdf

 

[coopec]

Check the curly cord for degradation before you go to the bother of installing it - to my great disappointment it's not replaceable (and I tried really hard). Real shame because it has twiddly knobs on the set (my preference over push buttons) and full controls on the mic - pretty good for what was a budget set. No manufacturer support.
I have the full manual for it if you need it, happy to post it.

I certainly will check the "curly cord" but this crowd looks as though they have a replacement?

curly cords for microphones | www.CURLYCORDS.com.au

 

[Momac]

If your intention is to install AIS it would follow that VHF radio is pretty much essential for communication with any ships on a collision course with you.

I find its best to steer clear of ships rather than trying to communicate with them.

 

[Tranona]

Think you will find the problem is that the cord attachment is moulded into the radio rather than plugged in

 

[PaulRainbow]

I had a navman 7100 and if offered one for free would turn it down and buy a standard horizon or icom, it was the most unreliable pile of rebadged junk I've had, first the dsc chip failed then after an expensive repair I found I was getting better coms from the ancient shoreline vhf in the cabin, even in a lock talking to the lockie I could hear him from the cabin but not from the navman at the helm, vhf is an important safety device so I will stick with quality kit now and avoid the savings of cheap tat.
I think I found one badged as polestar 7100 that was identical so they came under different names.
I seemed to have so much trouble calling in to harbours but never had a problem since switching to the SH.

I agree. The Navman VHF was a pile of garbage.

Standard Horizon or Icom would be good choices, not sure whether they are available in Oz ?

 

[KevinV]

I certainly will check the "curly cord" but this crowd looks as though they have a replacement?

curly cords for microphones | www.CURLYCORDS.com.au

The required cable is unusual and not at all cheap, and it's very very difficult to do, making it not worth the bother when new sets are so (relatively) cheap. Trust me, I'm pretty tight and pretty handy and I tried very hard, and failed. Wish I'd saved my time and money.