Which VHF

[dog]

I have a Simrad DSC handheld VHF at present and want a fixed DSC set for better range etc. Can anyone give any advice as there seems to be a number of them on the market? Is there any popular make/best set? I am looking to keep it in the £300 region.

I also have the current set connected to the GPS, can I connect more than one VHF to the GPS for position fixing?

Thanks in advance.

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[Deleted member 478]

Re: Connecting to GPS

Yes you can. Off hand, I can't remember the technical names of the NMEA wires but you can duplicate the connections i.e. NMEA "output" can be connected to more than one NMEA "receieve" so that your VHF, Radar, SSB, H/H VHF, autopilot etc can all receive the GPS data. If I recall correctly, there are four wires namely; output, output earth, input and input earth.

Most GPS user manuals will tell you what needs to be connected.

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[Mike_Martin]

Hi there,

Although I couldn't recommend a manufacturer or make (I work for DTI) of VHF/DSC, I can tell you that the pleasure boat variety are all built to a specific set of standards for operation (Class D).

The difference in cost tends to come from the build quality. This means things like waterproof casings, larger displays and buttons, and of course extra functions.

When you are looking at sets please, please try to imagine using them on your boat in a say Force 8 whilst under extreme stress. Many people have bought sets at boatshows (with only the swell from the Guiness Tent to assist in their choice)and gone for the smaller cheaper units, then later found that they are more difficult (fiddly) to operate when on-board.

I hope this helps a little.
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[dog]

Thanks for the advice guys, have got my eye on the Simrad RD68 or the NASA DSC, any preferences for use in a 21ft sportsboat with open cockpit?

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[byron]

Just picking up your point about better range a new set will not make a difference, the height and quality of your aerial will. For my money the best VHFs are Icoms & Sailors.

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[BrendanS]

Byron, his old set is a handheld. The range of a new fixed set will be much greater

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[dog]

I understand your point about height/quality of aerial, but I thought that the 25w max from a fixed set over the 5w handheld also made a huge difference with range. So are you saying that if I were to rig a connection from my handheld to a fixed (high) aerial then my signal would travel further even if only 5w?

thanks

B

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[hairofthedog]

Just remember the old adage "you only get what you pay for". I have an RD68 and am very pleased with it. It was purchased to replace a cheapie, which gave up the ghost after only 18 months.

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[BrendanS]

I think Byron missed the bit about your present set being a handheld. A fixed set with 25w will give a much better range than a handheld. The fixed aerial will also increase range over a handheld.

You can improve the range of a handheld by attaching a fixed aerial, but still not as good as a 25W fixed

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[TwoStroke]

I have a NASA SX35 in my 20ft Four Winns linked to a Magellan Sport Track for the GPS. Arial is 2.5m. Have it mounted under the dash. Have no problems with it and can change channel on mic. Not bad for £200. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>... too late now, I've bought the boat... must remember the kill cord next time!!

 

[dog]

Derrick, is the NASA set a DSC jobbie? Im looking at one in a catalogue and it says SX35 DSC, is that the same one? Can you flush mount it?

Thanks,

Brian.

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[TwoStroke]

It is DSC (although not yet used it - fingers crossed) and yes you can buy a flush mount kit. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Have a look at http://www.allgadgets.co.uk

They also have the full manual in PDF format to look at too.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>... too late now, I've bought the boat... must remember the kill cord next time!!

 

[dickh]

Several years ago, I used a handheld vhf (5watt max)connected to my masthead aerial, I could easily reach Thames CG from anywhere in the Thames Estuary.
I understood that height was the key factor, but that a 25w signal would overpower the smaller 5w signal which would get 'overspoken'.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[byron]

Ooops! I didn't see that, must learn to read things fully before running off at the moth.

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[Happy1]

I have just had one of those fitted to my boat this weekend, as dogboat says it is good value for money and can be flush mounted. I do have a problem linking my 176C chart plotter into it for some reason, I am not getting the co-ordinates registering on the screen, I am using the same NMEA in and out wires as the previous radio, but the shop think that there may be a setting on either the radio or Garmin that needs changed. I have read both manuals and have done all they have said but no change. I think I will have to ring Garmin tomorrow for some advice.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[duncan]

....or I'll fix it next weekend if you are down...........it won't be the garmin 'cos that's just sending the message - and we know it works 'cos the other radio received it fine.

bet the radio set up menu somewhere needs to be set to expect a position message, default probably set not to to avoid an error message when it's not connnected.

what's a manual?../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[BrendanS]

Not sure I understand. Which 5W signal would you be overspeaking with a 25W?

You need to move to low power if close to the station you are transmitting to (most sets allow this, even handhelds), but a 25W transmitter is nearly always going to be preferable to a 5W.

A mast top antennae is going to give much better range than the typical powerboat antenna, due to it's additional height. Attaching a decent antenna to a handheld on a powerboat, is not going to be quite as effective as a mastop rig

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[Happy1]

There was a flyer in the radio box that clearly states which two of the 8 different coloured wires to use, I used them and they failed. I have tried various combinations but to no avail. I have set the radio as described but no joy, there must be another user of the same combination about somewhere. I will take up your offer if it isn't fixed before we come down again. I was thinking of staying down for two weeks, but don't knw which marina. SWMBO is off to St Tropez with Happy infant on 13/7 for 10 days to stay with family, I prefer boating to all that nonsense /forums/images/icons/wink.gif Got some nice sea fishing books for my birthday so may give that a go, also may be back on the booze a bit by then /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[duncan]

ah well I am missing that (next) weekend but Steve (with the new Leader 805) and BarryH are down I believe.

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[Bloater]

I recently bought the Nasa SX35 and even more recently sent it back for repair. When it came back from repair it had a new sticker on it saying 'Waterproof to CFR46 standard...for use in DRY CABIN ONLY'. Needless to say I sent it back again.

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