And in case it's not obvious, the higher power dash doesn't help you receiving just transmitting. Don't underestimate the importance of the antenna for range. Sailboats are lucky for having the big mast! On Friday, December 3, 2021, 10:58:42 PM PST, Lawrence Winiarski via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote: I put an antenna on the mast and ran down a coax cable. I can plug in a hand held (with a bnc adapter) to thehigh antenna. Dash mounted ones use more quiescent power than hand held ones in standby. - On Friday, December 3, 2021, 10:42:36 PM PST, Paul Baker <avalonjazz@gmail.com> wrote: I am planning on buying a marine radio for my Montgomery 15. I know dash mounted ones can be 25 watts, which a much further range than handheld, but require a marine battery which I don't have. If I install a battery, I have to have a way of charging it. Any information or suggestions on this decision I must make would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Paul Baker On Fri, Dec 3, 2021, 9:51 PM John Schinnerer via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
I have a Standard Horizon HX280S.
https://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85...
Got it used some years ago for $50 (including 120V AC and 12V DC chargers and Li-ion battery, but not the alkaline battery holder) from someone I knew in Hilo sailing club who was clearing out assorted used gear. Submersible, reasonably compact. Relatively large capacity battery. 5 watt max not 6, also has 1 watt setting for power saving when range is short. Similar stuff is on eBay in similar price range.
I just wanted to have a decent enough VHF in case I needed one, for sailing or paddling on ocean. Used very little so far as mostly I've been lake boating.
I did think about dropping ~$200 on a new one with GPS and DSC. But after thinking about the GPS part, I realized I'd rather have a separate GPS if I have one at all. Several reasons, including separate user interface for each, separate battery run time, display size & quality, and safety. If I have just the one VHF/GPS device and it breaks or goes overboard I have neither any more. If I need the GPS a bunch I'm also using up my VHF battery, and vice versa. VHF GPS displays are limited compared to dedicated handheld GPS. Seemed more versatile with separate devices. When I saw this one on my friend's list of used gear I looked it up and it looked good enough so that's what I have.
cheers, John
On 12/3/21 6:46 PM, Jim Sadler wrote:
What are you skippers using for handheld vhf? Merry Christmas skippers ? Capt Jim SV Pelican M 15
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-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com