Buying a new VHF...

This forum is for comments and the exchange of information relating to Trojan Boats and boating. Please do not post used parts or boats For Sale in this area. For general, non-boating topics please use our "General Discussions" section.

Note: Negative or inflammatory postings will not be tolerated.

Moderators: BeaconMarineBob, Moderator, BeaconMarineDon

User avatar
Freddy
Registered user
Posts: 41
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:05 pm
Location: Buzzards Bay

Buying a new VHF...

Post by Freddy »

The boat came with a well used vhf so I've decided to get a new one and keep the old one as a backup. Does anyone have any experience with these VHF radios that can communicate with the gps for emergency purposes? I have a Garmin 597ci finder/chartplotter that isn't the newest technology out there but it does have NMEA output, so I'm pretty sure it will communicate with most of the newer VHF radios. I won't be going more than 20-30 miles offshore. What would you guys get for a fixed mount VHF on a F30 express if you were me?
1976 F30 Model 303
TBone
Sporadic User
Posts: 102
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:05 pm

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by TBone »

On my Pursuit, I had a Standard, but I never tied it into a GPS.

On my Carver, I have a Uniden VHF, and the Raymarine E7D. They are tied together. I had no issues. I was nice to konw that with the push of one button, the VHF would broadcast lat&lon.
1983 Silverton 34C; Its 8 O'clock... Somewhere!
1985 Chris Craft 222 stinger
1977 F-32 trojan (sold)
User avatar
DOUGNASH
Moderate User
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:53 am
Location: Greenpoint, Brooklyn NY

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by DOUGNASH »

I bought 2 Garmin 200 VHFs.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=28721

They are linked with my garmin 7212 plotter and garmin auto pilot.

I couldnt see buying a vhf that wont link to your gps for safety reasons, especially going off shore even a couple miles.

An AIS box will be my next purchase.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=250&pID=63743

"Add a new level of safety and convenience to your vessel with the Garmin AIS 600 transceiver. This black box AIS transceiver allows you to receive AIS target data as well as transmit your own vessel information to other AIS receivers in your area"

Then open array HD radar, also linked.
Attachments
garmin200.jpg
garmin200.jpg (12.2 KiB) Viewed 8542 times
1985 13 Meter International Express w/ 8v71tti 462hp Detroits, 43' x 16'3"
Image
User avatar
Big D
Ultimate User
Posts: 2874
Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 10:39 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by Big D »

Units with their own built-in GPS are coming down in price and offer an additional safety redundancy by not having to rely on an external GPS. If the external GPS fails, the emergency postioning feature of the VHF is still functional because GPS is built in. And no need for the extra wiring too.
She was a 1969 36 ft wooden beauty with big blue 440s that we'll miss forever.
And thanks to the gang, 2012 Trojan Boater Of The Year
User avatar
tsawyer
Sporadic User
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:46 am
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Contact:

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by tsawyer »

So does that 600ais act as a VHF or does it upgrade the 300ais?
Tom Sawyer
Rum Floater
1988 10 Meter Mid Cabin
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
User avatar
prowlersfish
2024 Gold Support
2024 Gold Support
Posts: 12645
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:56 pm
Location: Lower Chesapeake Bay ,Va

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by prowlersfish »

I am a big fan of Icom but Standard Horizon offers a vhf with AIS that I would look at .
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
User avatar
DOUGNASH
Moderate User
Posts: 299
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:53 am
Location: Greenpoint, Brooklyn NY

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by DOUGNASH »

tsawyer wrote:So does that 600ais act as a VHF or does it upgrade the 300ais?
No it is not a VHF, they both are "black boxes"

The AIS 300 only receives data.

The AIS 600 receives data and also gives you the ability to transmit your data to other AIS receivers in the area.

Once connected into my network, I should be able to view all local AIS vessels on my plotter, as well as be able to hail them by touching their vessel icon on my plotter.
1985 13 Meter International Express w/ 8v71tti 462hp Detroits, 43' x 16'3"
Image
User avatar
tsawyer
Sporadic User
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:46 am
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Contact:

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by tsawyer »

Ok, so the VHF 300 AIS includes a black box VHF (so you need the handset GHS 10) plus the AIS 300 part.

So, should there be a VHF 600 AIS? It looks like you would need the VHS 300 then a AIS 600 to do that.

By having the VHF 200, you actually have a VHF box because the VHF 300 does not have that, just the black box and the GHS 10 handset.

Now am I understanding this?

Tom
Tom Sawyer
Rum Floater
1988 10 Meter Mid Cabin
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
User avatar
Freddy
Registered user
Posts: 41
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:05 pm
Location: Buzzards Bay

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by Freddy »

I think I like the standard with built in gps that was about 200 bucks. My gps has the link up for that but for 200 why not benefit from the redundancy and eliminate the need for an extra wire? Then if my gps dies, all I need is the vhf and a paper chart. It will be like the 1990's again, except my gps won't be handheld, and it will have a built in vhf.
As far as AIS goes, I have to cross some pretty busy shipping channels in buzzards bay. That can be scary because towboat/barge combinations with steel tow cables extending between them are a common sight(or oversight in the fog). An extra line of defense against accidental collision for just another hundred or two is also appealing. Standard has a model for 360 bucks/free shipping on ebay that will transmit to other AIS vessels using DSC and it will connect to my gps with an NMEA cable and send AIS target info to the gps. If I have the extra money I will consider that option.
1976 F30 Model 303
User avatar
Big D
Ultimate User
Posts: 2874
Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 10:39 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by Big D »

It's a good way to go Freddy. Does that one also display a compass? Some of their models do which frees up room on your GPS screen for a larger chart if you like seeing a compass card graphic...I do. Does it have a hailer function? ...also good to have.
She was a 1969 36 ft wooden beauty with big blue 440s that we'll miss forever.
And thanks to the gang, 2012 Trojan Boater Of The Year
User avatar
tsawyer
Sporadic User
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:46 am
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Contact:

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by tsawyer »

That model has a built in antenna. I wonder how it works from under the top without clear view of the sky.
Tom Sawyer
Rum Floater
1988 10 Meter Mid Cabin
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
User avatar
Big D
Ultimate User
Posts: 2874
Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 10:39 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by Big D »

tsawyer wrote:That model has a built in antenna. I wonder how it works from under the top without clear view of the sky.
I suspect it's fine Tom but does need to be considered. There are a lot of large screen GPS units that utilize built in antennas also but it wouldn't hurt to go to Standard's web site and check the installation manual ahead of time. Might have to install an external antenna (optional) but I suspect on that type of boat with a view of the sky, it should be ok. The built in antennas are usually built into the front of the unit to allow for flush mounting.
She was a 1969 36 ft wooden beauty with big blue 440s that we'll miss forever.
And thanks to the gang, 2012 Trojan Boater Of The Year
User avatar
Diverted Income
Moderate User
Posts: 309
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 8:18 pm
Location: N.E. Iowa

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by Diverted Income »

Is this the Standard Horizon being talked about? I too need to replace a radio and have been considering this. http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS. ... Archived=0
1982 Trojan F-32 w/Merc 230's
1975 Baja V-1800J w/ 502 Ford
http://missriverrat.com
https://www.facebook.com/UMRMriverrat
User avatar
tsawyer
Sporadic User
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:46 am
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Contact:

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by tsawyer »

That's the one. The user manual states that you may need the optional GPS antenna if your mounting location doesn't receive a good signal from the built in GPS antenna.
Tom Sawyer
Rum Floater
1988 10 Meter Mid Cabin
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
User avatar
Freddy
Registered user
Posts: 41
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:05 pm
Location: Buzzards Bay

Re: Buying a new VHF...

Post by Freddy »

Diverted Income wrote:Is this the Standard Horizon being talked about? I too need to replace a radio and have been considering this. http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS. ... Archived=0
Yes that one, and the AIS model I am considering is here
http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Horizon- ... B004QKTFME

I will be happy with either upgrade.
1976 F30 Model 303
Post Reply