Which marine band radio to buy

[steve]

I am in the market for a new marine band radio and I am looking
for some suggestions on brands?
I fish mainly big water. Also what style and height antenna
do all of you prefer?

Thanks

[tbomn]

The Uniden Solara is a great little radio, all of the Raytheon radios are good choices. What ever radio you buy make sure it is waterproof, not just water resistant. The 8 ft. antenna is the only way to go, short ones only limit your distance for transmission.

[Thom]

In terms of brand ICOM and Standard Horizon make the best radios out there, and when its potentially my life on the line I prefer the best, even if it does cost $20 more. There are two new generation radios from ICOM that are very reasonably priced, the 402 and the 502. If you want to go whole hog get an ICOM M-127. It will run you around $450 but its the best fixed mount VHF radio available.

As to the antennas, yep, taller is better, there is no question about that at all. It comes from the simple fact that VHF transmission is line-of-sight and so the height if the antenna is your limiting factor for range. Shakespeare makes good antennas and they are available anywhere marine electronics are sold. I would suggest their model 5225 in one of its versions or if you feel you can handel it they also make a model 5399, with a a 9'6" stick that is a much better made model than the rest of the Galaxy lineup. Then there is this, if you are willing to spend another $30 or so there is a company called Digital Antenna from Dania, FL that makes the highest quality VHF antennas available, bar none. They make a model 529VW that is an 8' stick that is simply the very best you can buy. One will run you right around $130. There are two retailers that sell them that I am aware of, Consumer Marine Electronics and Defender Industries. Both of those retailers have web sites and both are reputable companys with good prices that ship quickly.

Thom

[Sparky]

Do you know who sells Digital Antenna products? I am in the process of replacing my boat, which has a Galaxy 5225 on it. If there is a better performing antenna I'm interested.

[steve]

Thanks guys,

I will check in to them!!!

[Thom]

Yes, you can get Digital Antennas (company name) from Defender Marine at www.defender.com (800 628-8825) or from Consumer Marine Electronics at www.consumermarine.com (800 332-2628). I prefer Consumer Marine myself but that's just because I have dealt with them so often in the last few years. Wait 'till you first pick up one of Digital's antennas, you'll never go back to Brand-X. The quality just leaps right out at you. Oh, I should be fair, if you can get your hands on a Shakespeare 5399 you'll see the difference between it and the rest of the Galaxy lineup in a heartbeat as well.

Thom

[Sparky]

I called the Consumers 800 number. They told me that Power Boat
Reports had just done a test on VHF antennas and rated the Galaxy 5225 over the Digital antennas. I'll have to track down a copy of that report. Thank you for the Consumer website address.

[JMC]

http://www.powerboat-reports.com/
You need to be a subscriber to get access to all the reports.

JMC

[Chairman]

I go with the 5225 antennae. The best radio is the Sea-Tech and it retails for about $900. One thing to be sure youget the most out of your radio is to have a dedicated cable from the battery to the radio. I use a pair of #6 wires and only the radio is on that setup. Overkill maybe, but when your in trouble and 20 miles out you won't have to question it.
Also when close to your friends, try to use 1W. so you don't blow over people that are farther away. If your on 25 and close you lmay get a garbled conversation. That is what happens alot when checking out of the tournament sites.
Chairman
NPAA #6