Marine Radio

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eye-c-man
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2010/08/15 08:47:58 (permalink)

Marine Radio

I am thinking of getting one. But know nothing about them . Are the handheld ones as good as the permanent mounted ones ? I have a 16 ft aluminum boat  & get up to erie 5-10 times a year. Which is the only place i would probably need it. The boat stays out in the weather thats why i was leaning toward handheld. Thanks for any input
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    Blowchowski
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/15 09:31:53 (permalink)
    Great train of thought. Nobody should go out on Erie without one IMO.

    If you're a bay warrior the hand held will be adequate. The power output of the handheld is typically 1-5 watts. The fixed will bring 25 watts to the party. Most if not all are waterproof and a lot have weather covers available. If you can hang a fixed mount under a seat or console, that most likely is enough weather protection if you don't keep your boat covered.

    As far as what brand to get goes, I've got a standard horizon in one boat, an Icom 304 in the other one, and my last boat had a Uniden in it. All worked very well.

    Don't worry about the DCS feature some have. It doesn't work on Lake Erie.

    I love cats. I just can't eat a whole one..
    #2
    eye-c-man
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/15 09:56:56 (permalink)
    I was looking at this one from cabela's . Then i would need an antenna right? What height would i need ?  I do go out on the lake when weather permits .   http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=catfeatboat&id=0025042018889a&navCount=0&podId=0025042018889&parentId=cat605145&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true
    post edited by eye-c-man - 2010/08/15 10:07:26
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    ShutUpNFish
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/15 10:12:16 (permalink)
    I'd recommend the perm. mounted with a high freq. antenna....most of the handhelds I've seen guys purchase, were junk and did not transmit well or very far. The one on my boat is an i-com equipped with an 8 ft. Shakespeare antenna....has worked great for years. Good Luck.
    #4
    **commander**
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/15 12:09:08 (permalink)
    never heard anything good about the handhelds UNLESS youre fishing the 3 rivers and they work well to be able to call ahead to the lockmaster to lock through quicker.

    id also recommend the fix mount. get yourself an 8ft antenna and ratchet mount and you can drop it down and tuck it out of the way. ive had a shakespeare setup for 20+ years. had a uniden radio for 20+ years until it went out and i bought a lowrance. i mainly bought it because its LOUD. dont know that theyres a bad brand. icom is SUPPOSED to be the best. might be able to get away with a shorter antenna but ive never been on a boat with a smaller one. if youre worried about it being outside, you can remove the antenna wire and unplug the power wire in a few seconds to remove it. if you want to quickly remove it make sure you buy one where the power wire unplugs from the back and is not internally wired. if its internally wired without a plug in the back, you will have to remove it from the power source.

    "I'm sick of all the fairytale stories of how this is destiny and how the saints have rebuilt new orleans.Sorry but you can write the script anyway you want but the actors(sean payton and crew)do not have the talent to step on the stage."---Logan Wade
    #5
    MuskyMastr
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/15 14:28:50 (permalink)
    Hand helds are BAD....

    Better too far back, than too far forward.
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    Wayniac
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/15 18:58:38 (permalink)
    Icom or Standard Horizon VHF mounted, no hand held and a good antenna. I think its a Shakespeare 8900 but not sure if the model number is right. 8 foot long and heavy duty, it gives you a much better range. Not to be a jagoff but I would consider a much LARGER boat also!
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    eyesandgillz
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/16 09:22:13 (permalink)
    Waterproof handheld would be good for the "ditch bag"  but if you can swing it, get the fixed mount for the main radio on the boat.
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    bulldog1
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/16 10:52:09 (permalink)
    Fixed mount and a decent antenna, you can find some good buys that are similar in price to the hand held. It's not likely that you'd need a portable unit, what else are you gonna use it for?

    I've had Lowrance and Standard Horizon, never had a problem with either...
    #9
    eye-c-man
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/19 09:05:41 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: bulldog1

    Fixed mount and a decent antenna, you can find some good buys that are similar in price to the hand held. It's not likely that you'd need a portable unit, what else are you gonna use it for?

    I've had Lowrance and Standard Horizon, never had a problem with either...
    Thanks for all the input guys, i'm going to go with a fixed mount, ill look @ for a good deal. The only place i would probably use it is on erie
    post edited by eye-c-man - 2010/08/19 09:07:50
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    eye-c-man
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/19 09:12:54 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: Wayniac

    Icom or Standard Horizon VHF mounted, no hand held and a good antenna. I think its a Shakespeare 8900 but not sure if the model number is right. 8 foot long and heavy duty, it gives you a much better range. Not to be a jagoff but I would consider a much LARGER boat also!
    Working on that, went from a 12 ft to 16 ft , Wife was growling about that.....slowly but surely LOL
    #11
    ShutUpNFish
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    RE: Marine Radio 2010/08/22 18:37:09 (permalink)
    http://forums.fishusa.com/Raymarine_Ray49_VHF_Marine_Radio-New/m_329521/tm.htm
    #12
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