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

[b_arrington]

Thanks, I appreciate your comments/feedback. I am leaning towards a handheld alone for the trip home. Once home use the boat for a while and figure out what I want for a permanent solution.

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.

 

[Mikemapva]

Greg,

I don't have any info on which VHF radio you should buy, but wanted to mention that BOE Marine is on Kent Island close to where your new boat is currently located.

Not only do they have great pricing and service, but as you may or may not know, the owner Jim hosts this site. So, it may be worth stopping in for a chat the next time you're on the boat.

Mike

 

[H2Oload]

here is my Cortex, now owned by Garmin
a few kinks but very happy... still have the fixed mount standard in the cabin and Icom handheld as well..

the item next to the Cortex is my Scanstrut wireless charger... View attachment 122154

My understanding is the cord to the mic is just power. Is the connection where the cord goes thru the dash part of the Cortex or is that something custom you created? I'm trying to plan my install before my kit arrives.

 

[bobeast]

My understanding is the cord to the mic is just power. Is the connection where the cord goes thru the dash part of the Cortex or is that something custom you created? I'm trying to plan my install before my kit arrives.

Cortex supplies the bulkhead connector. You just need to drill a hole, and then run the wires to 12vdc, behind it.

You could also / instead, order the wireless mic, but you's still need to run the wires from the charging holder.

 

[H2Oload]

Can you order Cortex with only the wireless mic instead of wired? Or do I end up with both?

 

[RGboatman]

I replaced that same radio last spring with an ICOM M506 ais. It fit exactly in the cutout in my dash. I haven’t linked it to my axiom pro yet. Make sure you order the flush mount kit and front mike version.

 

[H2Oload]

I replaced that same radio last spring with an ICOM M506 ais. It fit exactly in the cutout in my dash. I haven’t linked it to my axiom pro yet. Make sure you order the flush mount kit and front mike version.

Can you send me a pic?

 

[Hoplite808]

I've used the Standard Horizon radios in my boats for years and never had an issue with them. However with all radios you need to make sure they are installed correctly for them to function correctly.

1) Use the correct size connectors on the power leads to connect to power. Marine grade waterproof connectors with heat shrink are best. Keep the ground wire as short as possible and connect it to the ground buss directly. Make sure the positive wire is also on a strong connection to the 12v power supply so that when transmitting you don't get power drop issues. I also like to install an ferrite choke to the power cord a few inches from the back of the radio to help eliminate radio frequency interference.

2) The antenna being the tallest thing out there is not the only consideration. To simplify it a bit a standard 8' antenna sends out its transmissions in sort of an oval sphere shape and a 4' antenna sends it out in more of a round sphere shape. If your boat is very stable an 8' Shakespeare antenna would give you greater range but if the boat rocks and rolls a lot then a 4'er would be more ideal as the sphere shape would not be rising and falling above and below the horizon so much. The 4' antenna can also be mounted onto an extension pole to make it taller.

3) Simplifying again, the antenna wire should not be less than 1 meter long but if you are leaving it longer don't loop the wire if it's too long. Looping it can create a sort of electromagnetic resistance coil and will weaken the transmission strength of the radio. Instead flatten the loop with zip ties.

4) A very good write up on installing the antenna connectors can be found here: https://marinehowto.com/easy-vhf-terminations/

5) The new DSC radios are great tools for if you get into trouble on the water. However like any tool it will only be useful if its set up correctly and you know how to use it. All of these radios require a MMSI number to setup. The US Power Squadron can help you register for an MMSI for free for recreational boats. On all the DSC radios you only can program the radio once with this. If you get the number wrong and save it into the radio it can only be reset by sending the radio back to the factory. If you sell the boat you just have to log into the Power Squadron website and change the MMSI info over to the new owner. Also there are two types of radios for DSC. Ones with built in GPS and others that require being plugged into your chart plotter. If you don't connect the ones to the chart plotter then the radio won't transmit the GPS location with the distress button activation. If you don't program the MMSI number then it won't transmit that with the distress button activation. So if you use the distress button without an MMSI and GPS it will send a distress signal but the Coast Guard will not know who or what they are looking for and they will have to triangulate the signal to figure out your location less accurately. When seconds count don't make the rescuers job harder.

 

[bobeast]

Can you order Cortex with only the wireless mic instead of wired? Or do I end up with both?

Dunno. I ordered both because I wanted one inside the cabin as well as one at the helm.

 

[Tripsdad]

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.

Wish I knew this when I got my HX890 last May. I just programmed it with my existing MMSI without even thinking about it.

 

[Shaps]

Wish I knew this when I got my HX890 last May. I just programmed it with my existing MMSI without even thinking about it.

@Tripsdad
Can't you get the MMSI reprogrammed in your HX890? Season hasn't started yet... it takes nothing to get the new MMSI number.

 

[mrsrobinson]

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.

I purchased a HX890. What do I need to do to configure it for MMSI? Contact BoatUS?

Greg,

I don't have any info on which VHF radio you should buy, but wanted to mention that BOE Marine is on Kent Island close to where your new boat is currently located.

Not only do they have great pricing and service, but as you may or may not know, the owner Jim hosts this site. So, it may be worth stopping in for a chat the next time you're on the boat.

Mike

Cool, thanks. Yes, I met Jim at the Baltimore event years ago.

 

[Hoplite808]

Wish I knew this when I got my HX890 last May. I just programmed it with my existing MMSI without even thinking about it.

FYI: An MMSI number is registered to the boat not the radio. So if you have multiple radios onboard they should all have the same MMSI programmed.

 

[b_arrington]

FYI: An MMSI number is registered to the boat not the radio. So if you have multiple radios onboard they should all have the same MMSI programmed.

That's nice and all and pulled from the Boat US site, but in practice it's a problem for a hand held.

What happens when you sell your main boat? The fixed radio goes with it but are you giving away your handheld, too? Or sending it for service to get the MMSI reprogrammed? I've had the same handheld across 3 main boats. Also what about when using the handheld on the tender? Then it's a separate boat.

I 100% agree that multiple fixed mount radios should have the same MMSI, but more practical approach is to get a separate MMSI for the handheld.

 

[b_arrington]

I purchased a HX890. What do I need to do to configure it for MMSI? Contact BoatUS?

Boat US used to it for free, but now charges $25 unless you're a member. And a membership costs $25....

Here's the BoatUS website for MMSI registration / management page. https://www.boatus.com/products-and-services/membership/mmsi

 

[Stee6043]

US Power Squadron provides MMSI #'s for free. www.usps.org

 

[mrsrobinson]

Cool, just paid the GEICO boat insurance bill and it seems I am a Boat US member as well, again.

 

[Tripsdad]

@Tripsdad
Can't you get the MMSI reprogrammed in your HX890? Season hasn't started yet... it takes nothing to get the new MMSI number.

I reached out to BoatUS to see how I can get it reprogrammed.

 

[bobeast]

I reached out to BoatUS to see how I can get it reprogrammed.

You'll need to contact Horizon for that

 

[Pirate Lady]

Cool, just paid the GEICO boat insurance bill and it seems I am a Boat US member as well, again.

If you get the monthly magazine you are a member.
Mine ain’t due for renewal til June. I have read forums saying GEICO is raising rates. See an increase?