"Mark" wrote in
sgroups.com:

Any recommendations for a low cost, mounted, basic VHF radio? The
display has given out on my old radio. I am considering the Uniden
Solara and would appreciate comments on this model or suggestions for
others.

Mark (the rail & canopy hook guy)
www.ripnet.com/vtf/prod03.htm




Icom M59. Great radio. I couldn't even destroy the one mounted in the
dash of my Sea Rayder 16' jetboat jumping waves/wakes and drowning
it.....(c;

"Dr. Jonathan Smithers, MD Phd." wrote in
:

My marina neighbor had a Uniden (not sure of the model) and was never
pleased with the sound quality. He compared it to the my Standard
Eclipse and ended up replacing his.

I have always felt that Standard and Icon both made good products.



I had a Standard Eclipse Plus destroy my battery in my jetboat. Seawater
leaked in around the "sealed, waterproof" speaker...drizzle back along the
main circuit board into the pins of the RF power amp brick which is ALWAYS
powered up, even when the radio is off. The salt caused the brick to draw
about 3A of current and killed the boat's battery REALLY dead. The radio
was destroyed as the salt ate the components off the board.

In ANY of these little VHF radios, it's a good idea to disconnect the power
from them any time you are not using them....breaker or disconnect switch.
Their RF power amplifier ICs do NOT go through the "power switch", which
only switches off the main radio. These ICs draw no idle current....unless
what happened to me happens to you.

After losing two Standard Eclipse Plus radios to leakage, I got an Icom M59
for the boat and it worked fantastic for years. The guy who bought the
jetboat is still using it.

On 11 Mar 2005 05:35:59 -0800, wrote:

I would suggest stepping up enough to get DSC.

=============================

Is there a test process for VHF/DSC? My latest boat came with two DSC
capable ICOMs but I have no idea if the feature is even hooked up, let
alone working. Also, I have no idea what vessel ID is programmed, if
any.

On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 12:35:27 -0500, Larry W4CSC
wrote:
I had a Standard Eclipse Plus destroy my battery in my jetboat. Seawater
leaked in around the "sealed, waterproof" speaker...drizzle back along the
main circuit board into the pins of the RF power amp brick which is ALWAYS
powered up, even when the radio is off.

===========================

Larry, with all due respect, a real boat would have the radio wired
through a circuit breaker and/or battery switch.

In article ,
"Steve" wrote:

I now have my VHF mounted just inside the companionway and the mike is
mounted to a clip within hands reach from my tiller station. I still have to
leave the tiller for some features however my mike does have channel
up/down, 16 and works (marginally) also as a remote speaker. I would like to
add a cockpit speaker for next season.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions



Hey Steve,
Are you coming north this summer?

Bruce in alaska
--
add a 2 before @

On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 13:56:01 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On 11 Mar 2005 05:35:59 -0800, wrote:

I would suggest stepping up enough to get DSC.

=============================

Is there a test process for VHF/DSC? My latest boat came with two DSC
capable ICOMs but I have no idea if the feature is even hooked up, let
alone working. Also, I have no idea what vessel ID is programmed, if
any.

Most likely not. DSC hasn't been widely used until last summer.

To test it, I believe you have to go to channel 9, but don't quote me
on that. There's more information here.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm

FYI: Region 1 just implemented DSC late last summer on a full scale
basis.

Later,

Tom

On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 13:58:58 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 12:35:27 -0500, Larry W4CSC
wrote:
I had a Standard Eclipse Plus destroy my battery in my jetboat. Seawater
leaked in around the "sealed, waterproof" speaker...drizzle back along the
main circuit board into the pins of the RF power amp brick which is ALWAYS
powered up, even when the radio is off.

===========================

Larry, with all due respect, a real boat would have the radio wired
through a circuit breaker and/or battery switch.

This is the same guy who likes Metz antennas.

Later,

Tom

"Wayne.B" wrote

On 11 Mar 2005 05:35:59 -0800, wrote:

I would suggest stepping up enough to get DSC.

=============================

Is there a test process for VHF/DSC? My latest boat came with two DSC
capable ICOMs but I have no idea if the feature is even hooked up, let
alone working. Also, I have no idea what vessel ID is programmed, if
any.


There is no license or test required to be a voluntarily-equipped DSC-GMDSS
vessel, the category which most recreational boaters fall into. But you must
register an MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identifier) number to YOUR vessel.
The number (if any) that was in the used radio is not valid any longer.

Also, a U.S. vessel that plans to dock (or communicate) at a non-US port of
call, must have a restricted radiotelephone operators license. This good for
life (of the vessel you own and operate) and also does not involve any exam.
The license covers vhf, hf, gmdss and radars with no description of
equipments required. It will include applying for an MMSI to be used
internationally.

Changing the MMSI on a radio can be done by the owner, providing you have
the owner's operation manual which provides these instructions. Many radio
manufacturers provide manuals online. BOAT-US has an 800 # for you to call
where an experienced associate can walk you through the procedures involved.
That number is: 1-800-566-1536 (working hours). Or you can simply walk-in to
any BOAT-US store with your radio(s) and do the same.

Also be advised that BOAT-US provided registration of MMSI (free to all who
apply) does NOT register your MMSI for international voyages. Americans must
apply to the FCC for an MMSI to be used in conjunction with a restricted
operators license and international travel.

Best regards,

Jack Painter
Virginia Beach, Virginia

On Fri, 11 Mar 2005 19:43:15 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

This is the same guy who likes Metz antennas.

============================================

They have their uses. When I was racing sailboats and trying to
minimize weight and wind resistance, the Metz was a good compromise.

I see the Standard radio is mentioned here often, so I would like to add
a little plug. I got a Standard Horizon about 29 years ago when the AM
radios became obsolete. Its been in constant service ever since. I do
a radio check with someone in the marina a few times a year to be sure
its still working OK. I have a severe hearing loss, so I only keep it
for emergencies. The only service that has been perfomed was to add 2
new crystals. (Yeah, its a crystal controlled radio, only 10 channels)

Happy boating, Norm