Boat I am buying needs a new VHF radio - fair price for a credit/replacement?

My HX890 arrived in the mail yesterday. I was a little disappointed/surprised to see it's not touch screen. Perhaps that's on purpose though?
 
mrsrobinson said:
My HX890 arrived in the mail yesterday. I was a little disappointed/surprised to see it's not touch screen. Perhaps that's on purpose though?
Click to expand...
Touch screen seems like unneeded added complexity/cost for a handheld. Especially if trying to use with gloved hands. My HX870 works fine with just buttons.
 
I was about to request a MMSI # from BoatUS for the new handheld when I saw it's asking for the boat name.

I have my state registration #. I have not renamed the boat though. I will not be coast guard documenting the boat.

Should I wait until I officially rename the boat (remove current name, install new one)?
 
It's time to purchase and install a VHF. I've decided basic is good enough for me, nothing fancy high tech. I've been doing research and they literally all look the same to me. ICOM seems to be top of the list.

Any recommendations for a basic VHF, besides what's already on this thread? Any "while your doing this project do this/upgrade that as well" tips/tricks?

Thanks
 
I love to spend other people's money (hush @Stee6043), but in this market availability is very likely to narrow your choices.

Connecting it to your plotter is a conclusion, but NMEA-0183 or NMEA-2000?

Another consideration is getting one with the ability to receive AIS data.

Built-in GPS is a good redundancy, but I'd argue that a DSC 6-watt handheld is a better one. (built-in GPS doesn't help when your boat batteries are dead)

Tip: if you plan to buy an 0183 radio, make sure you have access to the 0183 wiring harness on the plotter. They can be removable/missing.
 
b_arrington said:
Last bit: since you are leaning toward getting an GPS-enabled handheld, go get yourself an MMSI number for the radio and program it in before the rip. This will tell the USCG who you are and your location if need to hit the distress button.

You can get one from Boat US. I would suggest using a separate MMSI for the handheld and main boat radio. That way you can move the radio from boat to boat if you sell the boat (the MMSI stays with the radio). I've had the same handheld radio across 3 boats.
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Did this last Saturday while on the boat, thanks for the suggestion.
 
mrsrobinson said:
My HX890 arrived in the mail yesterday. I was a little disappointed/surprised to see it's not touch screen. Perhaps that's on purpose though?
Click to expand...
Handhelds are expected to be used when wet. Buttons are much more functional than touch screens when wet.

Regarding a fixed mount, buty one based on your boating style:
If you are primarily going to use it in an emergency, buy one with built in GPS and DSC. The DSC means anybody on board can push a "mayday" button and the radio will broadcast your lat and long and ask for help. The built in GPS means that position isn't reliant on other electronics or wiring. This is important because you may be the one disabled and one of your passengers needs to be able to easily call for help without having to worry about other electronics functioning.

If you are doing alot of cruising or boat on waters with alot of commercial traffic, buy a VHF with built in AIS reception, as described above. If you do significant cruising, buy an AIS transmitter to broadcast your position to other boats.

If you spend a ton of time on your radio talking with other boats like charter fisherman do (this isnt you) then the ability to save and easily use DSC calling functions will be useful for you.
 
Jaybeaux said:
Is your onboard barometer reading correctly? Mine was fine for several weeks now gives goofy numbers…. O.2 hPa. Which is not probable.
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Mine is on the hard right now.. power is off, but have no issues prior
 
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