Buying a new VHF...

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[tsawyer]

So does that 600ais act as a VHF or does it upgrade the 300ais?

[prowlersfish]

I am a big fan of Icom but Standard Horizon offers a vhf with AIS that I would look at .

[DOUGNASH]

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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[tsawyer]

That model has a built in antenna. I wonder how it works from under the top without clear view of the sky.

[Big D]

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.

[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

[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.

[Freddy]

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.