VHF Radio

[rslifkin]

Both the standard horizon and icom remote mic setups are good. The standard horizon stuff is slightly cheaper in most cases.

I'd definitely go with a fixed mount. The bigger antenna provides a ton of extra range. It's line of sight, so higher antenna means more range as well, so a masthead mount with good cable is best.

Personally, I'm a big fan of having 2 vhfs in busy areas. A handheld will do for the second unit if a second fixed mount and antenna isn't reasonable. Typically, I'll keep one unit on 9/16 dual watch and the other on 13. This may change if I'm in an area with VTS that I want to monitor. When switching to a working channel I may or may not change the channel that's being dual watched with 16, depending on what's going on at that time and how quiet things are.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by coopec43

If I got a fixed radio it would be installed at the chart table (down below) I assume from reading your post I can get a WiFi microphone?

Both. Fixed radio for range, hand-held for back-up.

Radio down below is useless... or at least you need a remote mic at the helm.

Can't count the number of times I've tried to hail boaters who have a fixed radio down below somewhere... but can't hear it from the helm, can't answer a hail without leaving the helm, etc.

-Chris

[Bycrick]

I’ve used various SH radios for years with their various remote microphones in the cockpit. I ended up with the big GX5000 commercial radio below decks and the handset type remote. The deciding factor was that the radio had lots of auxiliary functions: loudhailer, horn, AIS, DSC, etc. On the smaller radios, accessing these functions required multiple button pushes through several levels of menus displayed on a small screen. The bigger radio, with a full keypad and similar telephone-like handset lets you get to the functions more quickly and easily.

[Yellowtulip]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Both. Fixed radio for range, hand-held for back-up.



Radio down below is useless... or at least you need a remote mic at the helm.



Can't count the number of times I've tried to hail boaters who have a fixed radio down below somewhere... but can't hear it from the helm, can't answer a hail without leaving the helm, etc.



-Chris

A fixed radio down below may well be the best option in foul weather with a full crew, and don't forget the possibility of being a relay station in a Mayday situation. It may be necessary to be at the radio warm and dry and focused just on that for a long time.
A portable is a good addition to what, to me, is the A1 option of a fixed radio with a masthead antenna and a cockpit command mic.