Marine Radio

[laveydayz]

Looking to get a marine radio. We do most of our boating at Mead and would like to get one of these as cell phones do not work out on the lake. Can anyone recommend a brand/model and a good place to purchase? My other concern was the antenna. Do they offer anything that is not real noticable? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Cheap Thrills]

http://www.standardhorizon.com/
As far as antennas go , the more metal you shake the better.
a quarter wave ant. for VHF marine freqs is just over 19" but since VHF freqs are Line of Sight the higher the radiated power the better.
T.

[Cheap Thrills]

http://www.walcottcb.com/shakespeare-5240r-vhf-marine-3ft-antenna-p-916.html
T

[franky]

Just get a cheap handheld. Keep it tucked away and it will not get weathered like an in dash plus no expense of an antenna and you can carry it from boat to boat or shore. Line of site is line of site. High powered in dash and big antennas work for LONG distance line of site, like ocean spans. Lake use, hand held. You can get a smalll Uniden from West Marine for about $125. Done.
Please disregard this opinion if you have a big tuna boat.

[Cheap Thrills]

I Remember Uniden. I use to play with them when I was a kid.
If you want a real hand held that wont take a shit if it goes in the drink click the link .http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=xOSYMLXDCyQ%3D&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0
If you want to learn about Line Of Sight http://www.***boat.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1962649&postcount=16
T.

[Cheap Thrills]

You may find these helpful also
http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124603&highlight=marine+radio
http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115608&highlight=marine+radio
Good Luck
T.

[franky]

I Remember Uniden. I use to play with them when I was a kid.
If you want a real hand held that wont take a shit if it goes in the drink click the link .http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=xOSYMLXDCyQ%3D&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0
If you want to learn about Line Of Sight http://www.***boat.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1962649&postcount=16
T.
Have had mine for over five years now. No problemo, no drop in drink either.. Standard Horizon looks like good stuff though.

[Cheap Thrills]

I know Uniden is a good bang for the buck. I was just messin with ya :D
Being a Ham Radio nut I have always been a big fan of Vertex (Yaesu).
Of all the hundreds of overseas contacts I've made, 99% of them were on Yaesu & Kenwood Radios. I have had good luck with Uniden also.
Not too many people are aware that most consumer grade 2 way radios have Uniden boards in them. Including Cobra ,Presedent & Super Star just to name a few. Anyhow if the budget allows for a Vertex I would highly recomend them. Uniden is ok too...
T.

[Throttle]

mmmm, nice gift ideas... get one for me too...

[brianthomas]

All hand held radios are 5 watt and all dash mounted are 25 watt. Two miles vs. 10-15 miles.

[laveydayz]

Good info. I am now wondering which will be the best for Mead? Handheld or in dash? So many different opinions. Handheld would be nice if it will really work...

[Cheap Thrills]

Good info. I am now wondering which will be the best for Mead? Handheld or in dash? So many different opinions. Handheld would be nice if it will really work...
A handie will work just fine within 5 +/ - Mi., up to maybe 10 or more depending on contitions and terrain. One nice thing about handies is the ability to seek higher ground for more range in the event you're stranded somewhere.
http://www.anchorexpress.com/hx470ss.html Also gives you the FRS band AM/FM and Aeronautical freqs. along with DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) DISTRESS CALL (oops caps ) and @$203.00 here is a killer deal.
The rigid mount with it's higher power (typ 25w) and taller antenna will give you more range.
Good Luck.
T.