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Author Topic:   VHF Radio for Montauk

JohnMummert posted 11-10-2005 10:05 PM ET (US)
It is time to replace my current handheld VHF, I am trying to decide if I want to stick with a handheld model, which has its advantages and also disadvantages (battery life and range) or go to a fixed mount full size VHF. If I was to go with a full-size VHF I think I would flush mount it in the center consul rather than on top of the center console.
Any suggestions on handheld vs. full-size? I am in NJ and often go off the coast around Sandy Hook.
And any suggestions on where to mount an antenna on a Montauk, I want to say I have seen a short whip antenna (3') that was installed on the side of a center console on a new Montauk.
Thanks
John

Buckda posted 11-10-2005 10:20 PM ET (US)
John-
Antenna placement is going to depend on how you use your boat, and partly on what equipment you have.
A quality radio that is mid-priced would be the ICOM M302. There are others, but this is the one that I have experience with. It has DSC -which stands for DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING - a nice feature if you hook it up to your GPS that will help the Coasties find you in an emergency.
I definitely recommend a fixed-mount radio for range (you're transmitting at 25 Watts versus about 1 watt for the handheld).
If you have a bimini, you will need to mount your antenna on one of your rails. If you don't do a lot of fishing, you can put it on hte rail near the stern. Get an 8' fiberglass antenna with 6db gain. I recommend the Shakespeare Centennial 5100 series.
Keep the handheld as a back-up in case something happens with the main in an emergency.
Dave
Bulldog posted 11-11-2005 12:24 AM ET (US)
John, definatly due some searching on this site, there is a brand of VHF radio that has the radio installed inside the console and only the mike and a small cord outlet is outside in weather. I believe the name was something like phantom and there was a large discussion recently about it...........Jack
Chuck Tribolet posted 11-11-2005 12:36 AM ET (US)
All but the very least expensive VHF radios will have DSC.
The radios that mount inside the console with all the
controls and speaker on the mike are the Standard-Horizon
PS1000 and PS2000. I'd go this way if I was replacing my
radio just to get the console space. I might well end up
mounting an auxiiary speaker.
I'd go with a 6 db (8') antenna. If you fish, mount it on
the side of the console. If you don't fish, mount it on
the aft end of one of the console rails (typ. starboard).
You'll need 20' of cable to make it from the stern to
the console. You MIGHT make it with 15' if you can mount
a PS*000 low in the console, but that will cost console space.
You handheld is probably 5W, not 1W. But given that the 6db
antenna amplfies things by 4x, that means the console
mount antenna is putting out 25*4=100W or 20x more power.
VHF is line of sight, but the handheld doesn't have enough
power to reach the horizon.
The tall antenna amplifies things by being directional. It
doesn't waste power transmitting up to the stars or down to
the fish. If you boat rocks a lot, it may not be right,
but seems to work on a Montauk sized boat (I have one).

Chuck
Tom W Clark posted 11-11-2005 09:38 AM ET (US)
For a Montauk I cannot imagine a more suitable or more economical VHF radio that the Standard Horizon PS1000:
http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Standard+Horizon+PS1000.html
Take Chuck's advice on the antenna.
TomB posted 11-11-2005 09:56 AM ET (US)
I'm looking at a PS 1000 right now for my Montauk and last night noticed that you can get a PS 2000 for about $30 more. Doesn't appear to be any advantage in this for a Montauk, but would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks...
ratherwhalering posted 11-11-2005 10:09 AM ET (US)
I purchased and installed a PS1000 (on Tom's advice) a month ago. It is so nice to have the unit tucked up, under the console. The Mic is routed through the old Kill Switch hole, but even a cranky, picky purist like me would drill a hole in the console for this little baby.
When connected to the GPS, the display on the mike will show lat/lon, speed over ground/through water, and other stuff.
A great deal at $139.00.
Chuck Tribolet posted 11-12-2005 11:35 AM ET (US)
TomB: That $170 price for the PS2000 does not include mike.

Chuck
TomB posted 11-12-2005 11:40 AM ET (US)
Thanks Chuck. Guess I need to read more carefully. Looks like the PS1000 is probably best bet for the Montauk, anyway.
Tom

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Author	Topic: VHF Radio for Montauk
JohnMummert	posted 11-10-2005 10:05 PM ET (US) It is time to replace my current handheld VHF, I am trying to decide if I want to stick with a handheld model, which has its advantages and also disadvantages (battery life and range) or go to a fixed mount full size VHF. If I was to go with a full-size VHF I think I would flush mount it in the center consul rather than on top of the center console. Any suggestions on handheld vs. full-size? I am in NJ and often go off the coast around Sandy Hook. And any suggestions on where to mount an antenna on a Montauk, I want to say I have seen a short whip antenna (3') that was installed on the side of a center console on a new Montauk. Thanks John
Buckda	posted 11-10-2005 10:20 PM ET (US) John- Antenna placement is going to depend on how you use your boat, and partly on what equipment you have. A quality radio that is mid-priced would be the ICOM M302. There are others, but this is the one that I have experience with. It has DSC -which stands for DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING - a nice feature if you hook it up to your GPS that will help the Coasties find you in an emergency. I definitely recommend a fixed-mount radio for range (you're transmitting at 25 Watts versus about 1 watt for the handheld). If you have a bimini, you will need to mount your antenna on one of your rails. If you don't do a lot of fishing, you can put it on hte rail near the stern. Get an 8' fiberglass antenna with 6db gain. I recommend the Shakespeare Centennial 5100 series. Keep the handheld as a back-up in case something happens with the main in an emergency. Dave
Bulldog	posted 11-11-2005 12:24 AM ET (US) John, definatly due some searching on this site, there is a brand of VHF radio that has the radio installed inside the console and only the mike and a small cord outlet is outside in weather. I believe the name was something like phantom and there was a large discussion recently about it...........Jack
Chuck Tribolet	posted 11-11-2005 12:36 AM ET (US) All but the very least expensive VHF radios will have DSC. The radios that mount inside the console with all the controls and speaker on the mike are the Standard-Horizon PS1000 and PS2000. I'd go this way if I was replacing my radio just to get the console space. I might well end up mounting an auxiiary speaker. I'd go with a 6 db (8') antenna. If you fish, mount it on the side of the console. If you don't fish, mount it on the aft end of one of the console rails (typ. starboard). You'll need 20' of cable to make it from the stern to the console. You MIGHT make it with 15' if you can mount a PS000 low in the console, but that will cost console space. You handheld is probably 5W, not 1W. But given that the 6db antenna amplfies things by 4x, that means the console mount antenna is putting out 254=100W or 20x more power. VHF is line of sight, but the handheld doesn't have enough power to reach the horizon. The tall antenna amplifies things by being directional. It doesn't waste power transmitting up to the stars or down to the fish. If you boat rocks a lot, it may not be right, but seems to work on a Montauk sized boat (I have one). Chuck
Tom W Clark	posted 11-11-2005 09:38 AM ET (US) For a Montauk I cannot imagine a more suitable or more economical VHF radio that the Standard Horizon PS1000: http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Standard+Horizon+PS1000.html Take Chuck's advice on the antenna.
TomB	posted 11-11-2005 09:56 AM ET (US) I'm looking at a PS 1000 right now for my Montauk and last night noticed that you can get a PS 2000 for about $30 more. Doesn't appear to be any advantage in this for a Montauk, but would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks...
ratherwhalering	posted 11-11-2005 10:09 AM ET (US) I purchased and installed a PS1000 (on Tom's advice) a month ago. It is so nice to have the unit tucked up, under the console. The Mic is routed through the old Kill Switch hole, but even a cranky, picky purist like me would drill a hole in the console for this little baby. When connected to the GPS, the display on the mike will show lat/lon, speed over ground/through water, and other stuff. A great deal at $139.00.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 11-12-2005 11:35 AM ET (US) TomB: That $170 price for the PS2000 does not include mike. Chuck
TomB	posted 11-12-2005 11:40 AM ET (US) Thanks Chuck. Guess I need to read more carefully. Looks like the PS1000 is probably best bet for the Montauk, anyway. Tom