Mile Range for VHF radios

[VMS]

Good Evening All!!

Looking to add a VHF radio to the boat this winter.

The questions I have are following:

1. What kind of range do the fixed mounted 25 watt models get as compared to the 5 watt hand-held models

2. Where have you mounted the 3 foot antenna so it is out of the way for casting purposes? I have a 17 foot boat, and with 3 casters, it could get in the way.

3. Will my electronics interfere with the radio?

4. What brands are of good quality at a decent price (under $170)

Thanks much!!

Steve

[FisHn2DMax]

I had a 18' ProCraft that I had the same issue with. I went with an Icom M-45 fixed radio and a Shakespear 5247 3' base loaded fold down antenna. While a large 1/2 wave 8'+ fixed antenna are best for optimum range, they're NOT practical on a boat that size and would create a problem while casting. Using a 3' base loaded fold down antenna with a 25 watt radio in my opinion gives the most practical solution for a fishing boat. I highly recommend ICOM radios with selectable memory scan and channel priority features. They can be both had for around $160. The Shakespear 3' base loaded models come in a few different styles, the one I recommend is the type where you pull up on the antenna shaft exposing a elbow joint which allows the shaft to lay down in any direction. I mounted my antenna just to the side of the windshield along the gunnel area. I layed the antenna in the down position while casting or while the cover is on the boat. To put back up, you simply tilt up and the joint goes pulls back into the base holding the antenna shaft up. Antenna Gain was 3 db whereas the tall 8' antennas are 6+ db. However, I could transmit almost as far as the larger 1/2 wave antennas. Today, I use an Icom hand held in my new Lund. IMHO, a hand held is almost worthless for distance over 3 miles. Not only is it limited to 5 watts, the built in rubber antennas on all hand helds actually have - minus db gain i.e., 5 watts is more like 3 watts ERP due to the high standing wave ratio of the small rubber antenna. I also noted very poor reception compared to a real fixed mounted radio and antenna. Hand Helds are great for 2-3 mile range, and just for emergency / weather monitoring. I've not experienced any interfere to the VHF marine radio by finders/ flashers etc, however when you transmit (in high power), graphs can be affected. To avoid any potential RF interference, Do NOT wire the VHF radio to the same battery and / or 12 Volt lead used by the Graph or flasher. You can find spec detail of ICOM radios and Shakespear Antennas at www.boatersworld.com

Good Luck!

[Miami Vice]

The best all around brand is Standard. Not only do they make a superior radio, but their service is excellent. They take pride in their equipment.

The height of the antenna is more important than the wattage. To get any kind of serious range you need an 8’ antenna. There is a special adaptor you can put on a hand held VHF to connect it to an 8’ external antenna. When you do this you get excellent range.
You can fold the 8’ antenna down when you are fishing. The antenna will even work in the folded down position, but you will not get good range.
Miami Vice

[Miami Vice]

The best all around brand is Standard. Not only do they make a superior radio, but their service is excellent. They take pride in their equipment.

The height of the antenna is more important than the wattage. To get any kind of serious range you need an 8’ antenna. There is a special adaptor you can put on a hand held VHF to connect it to an 8’ external antenna. When you do this you get excellent range.
You can fold the 8’ antenna down when you are fishing. The antenna will even work in the folded down position, but you will not get good range.
Miami Vice

[Brad1]

I agree with Miami Vice regarding antenna height. If you want even more broadcast power, select an antenna with as much db of gain as possible. And don't buy a quality radio only to buy a cheap antenna. The antenna is just as important (if not more important) than the radio in a VHF setup.

[Brad1]

I agree with Miami Vice regarding antenna height. If you want even more broadcast power, select an antenna with as much db of gain as possible. And don't buy a quality radio only to buy a cheap antenna. The antenna is just as important (if not more important) than the radio in a VHF setup.

[REW]

Steve,
With three casters in the boat - ANY antenna is in the way.
Get an 8 foot antenna that folds down on the gunnel, and leave it folded down, when casting.

The 8 foot antenna - works many times better than the 3 footer.
If you have a tiller, mount the antenna, BEHIND the driver. It is essentially out of the way.

If you have a console or walk through, mount the antenna beside the windshield, and you typically have little problem with casting.
Take care
REW

[Interestingly]

Most 8 foot antennas only have 5 or 6 feet of wire inside of them. The far end of the antenna is hollow fiber glass. While most 5' antennas have wire running the whole length.
We have seen this on numerous broken masts.

[JAK]

Here is the formula, I copied it oveer from the Shakespeare site:

What range can I expect from the antenna? Here is the formula to determine range:

Calculation for Range of an Antenna:
Square Root of Height (in feet) above water x 1.42 = Range in miles
Remember to perform the calculation for BOTH vessels, and then add the results for the range between two vessels.

I have found that this is a little conservitive when using a quality ant like a Galaxy series.

I am on my third boat with a quality 8' ant. You could NOT convince me to go back! I even had a friend switch his ants while I still had a cheapy. I could hear the difference in my boat (cheap 4' ant) when he switched FROM a Shakespeare 8'cheap TO a good 8'Shakespeare Galaxy.

I have owned 8'Galaxy ants since!