VHF on a cruising yacht?

[Refueler]

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.

For years there were a few base units that got re-badged out - I always found it interesting that people would swear by one brand and knock another - even though they were actually same radios !! .... I have 3 under the bench that have different cases / labels - but when opened up are IDENTICAL gubbins inside ....

 

[garymalmgren]

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

If you are in the sh*t, communicating with ships is a really good idea.
Also letting them know your bearing and course is a good idea.

 

[vyv_cox]

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

Me too but it can be useful. Sometimes the call comes from them, advising that they have seen you and will change course.

Keeping clear is relatively easy in shipping lanes but in Greece ships travel between islands, their intentions being difficult to predict.

 

[Momac]

Me too but it can be useful. Sometimes the call comes from them, advising that they have seen you and will change course.

Keeping clear is relatively easy in shipping lanes but in Greece ships travel between islands, their intentions being difficult to predict.

This is why I really like AIS. Its possible to see what a ship is doing and to monitor /verify what can usually be seen even if from a distance .
I have known ship keep right for me when passing in a relatively narrow channel , which was nice .
I also had a ship who was waiting to turn around . He waited for me to pass but I did a 180 degree turn which signalled to the ship that I had understood his intentions. Not a word spoken.

 

[Refueler]

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

If you are in the sh*t, communicating with ships is a really good idea.
Also letting them know your bearing and course is a good idea.

Venoil Corporation ......... learnt a hard lesson ..... sister ships one proceeding south - other proceeding north .... got chatting ...... BANG ...... they collided ....

 

[coopec]

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.

Thanks for that

Yes like so many things these days it is cheaper to buy a replacement unit than pay for the repair of the old one. (particularly if you factor in the cost of transport/postage of the old unit)

I'll inspect the cable and if it looks at all dodgy I won't install it.