VHF Radio Suggestions

IMO, you're gonna have to double your budget to get a good radio and antenna (and mount). You might pickup something used on eBay in that price range but you never really know what you're getting.
 
MLauman said:
IMO, you're gonna have to double your budget to get a good radio and antenna (and mount). You might pickup something used on eBay in that price range but you never really know what you're getting.
Click to expand...

That is what I am finding out. What are your thoughts on the Cobra MRF55 and the Uniden Solara DSC? Both of these I have found new for under $100. Also, what type of antenna would you suggest? I boat mostly on the Ohio River in Cincinnati and sometimes on Lake Cumberland.

Thanks,

eric
 
I'm partial to either Standard Horizon or Icom brand radios, so I can't offer anything on the Cobra or Uniden.

As for antennas, you can get a cheap Shakespeare for under $50, and for casual use I'm sure they're fine. I have leaned towards the higher end Shakespeare models, but from what I've heard the Digital brand antennas are good also.

The other expense is the mount - $20 for a plastic one that might break or $40 for stainless.
 
Second the Icom. My 302 works great and you can hear it cruise levels. If you can't hear the radio you will also need an external speaker. I have lots of Icom radios and they all have been great. Icom also provides good customer service when they break.

Antennas are electrically governed. You can spend a lot or a little depending on your finances. Construction details are the difference. If you are a casual user your antenna will last a long time as long as you buy any reputable brand.

The performance of an antenna is pretty much the same if they are electricaly equivalent and at the same height. 3db gain is 3 db gain just like an inch is equal to an inch. Harmonics of the antenna are what govern the gain for a given length vs frequency not price. Performance numbers can be interupted a lot of ways to influence the reported numbers. Differences in reported over the water performance are subject to a lot of variation that I will not go into here. I purpously will not recomend a brand antenna here. I choose my antenna because it fit my space and was good quality in my opinion.

The mount should be stainless steel. The plastic and nylon mounts do not last. Find the highest location to safely mount your antenna then buy your mount to fit. If you can not find a high in the clear location mount the antenna on an extension to get it high and in the clear. I mounted my antenna on the bimini on a 6 inch extension.

Coax is important. Buy good coax and do not worry about how long it is. The only thing to worry about is attaching your PL259 to the coax. Make a good conection as this is where most radio problems occur. I have fixed many a non working or under perfoming radio by chopping off the existing PL259 and putting a correctly soldered connecion on. If you do not solder they make solderless connectors that are fine.

Hope this helps
 
SearayPaul said:
Second the Icom. My 302 works great and you can hear it cruise levels. If you can't hear the radio you will also need an external speaker. I have lots of Icom radios and they all have been great. Icom also provides good customer service when they break.

Antennas are electrically governed. You can spend a lot or a little depending on your finances. Construction details are the difference. If you are a casual user your antenna will last a long time as long as you buy any reputable brand.

The performance of an antenna is pretty much the same if they are electricaly equivalent and at the same height. 3db gain is 3 db gain just like an inch is equal to an inch. Harmonics of the antenna are what govern the gain for a given length vs frequency not price. Performance numbers can be interupted a lot of ways to influence the reported numbers. Differences in reported over the water performance are subject to a lot of variation that I will not go into here. I purpously will not recomend a brand antenna here. I choose my antenna because it fit my space and was good quality in my opinion.

The mount should be stainless steel. The plastic and nylon mounts do not last. Find the highest location to safely mount your antenna then buy your mount to fit. If you can not find a high in the clear location mount the antenna on an extension to get it high and in the clear. I mounted my antenna on the bimini on a 6 inch extension.

Coax is important. Buy good coax and do not worry about how long it is. The only thing to worry about is attaching your PL259 to the coax. Make a good conection as this is where most radio problems occur. I have fixed many a non working or under perfoming radio by chopping off the existing PL259 and putting a correctly soldered connecion on. If you do not solder they make solderless connectors that are fine.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

If you ever get a chance to take a picture of your bimini and the antenna on it I'd love to see it just so I get an idea what I'll be looking at.
 
No rush, hope you have a fast and easy recovery (I actually thought you already went in for the hand/wrist tuneup but I guess not yet).
 
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