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Author Topic:   Radio for Montauk
cavie posted 11-20-2002 10:10 PM ET (US)   Profile for cavie   Send Email to cavie  
I have decided to take my Montauk out in the ocean and I do not have a radio in the boat. Do I need to get one that you install or will a hand held do the job? I think that I will stay within 7 or 8 miles of shore. I am going to join Sea Tow but need a way to get [in contact] with them if I have a problem. Anybody have [a radio] that they really like? Thanks
tully_mars posted 11-20-2002 10:37 PM ET (US)     Profile for tully_mars  Send Email to tully_mars     
Unless you are willing to install a decently tall antenna on your boat, a handheld VHF will do. The range on a handheld is nominally 5 miles, sometimes more. VHF is a line of site signal, so the taller the antenna the better the range is a general rule. Even though a mounted radio has more power, if you don't have the antenna for it then it won't reach.

Tully Mars

captbone posted 11-21-2002 11:32 AM ET (US)     Profile for captbone  Send Email to captbone     
Join TowBOAT/U.S. instead, they cover the person,(and family members) not the boat. Seatow only covers your boat, but how often does your boat go out without you or your family members on it. Also if you are fishing on a friends boat, he is covered. Go with the towboat plan for $500.00 or unlimited. They are both cheaper than seatow and they are all you need. Plus in my advise, I would say get a fixed mount vhf, the one day you will need the handheld it will have dead batteries or you will have forgotten it. The secret to fixed mount vhfs is the ant. get a shakespear galixy 8fter. The better the ant. the better the comms. Then I would get a ICOM m-45 or Standard horizon, possible raytheon (raymarine) ray 45, maybe other models by these companies but Nothing Else. For ultimate safety get a fixed vhf and a handheld. The ant. cost $100.00, and any of the radios cost $149.00, West marine, or boaters world is the place to get them. For the handheld get the ICOM M3 rechargable, you can get it for $149.00! Just my 3 cents!
captbone posted 11-21-2002 11:38 AM ET (US)     Profile for captbone  Send Email to captbone     
plus, far offshore the comms with a 6 inch ant on the handheld will only be marginal at best. For offshore use the fixed, it is the way to go! I go 35 miles in a 21 ft boat, no problem, I also have 3 survival suit, good type 1 life jackets, a backup gps, back up radio, I file a float plan, good towing insurance, the boat is maintained beyond beleive and I pick my weather! Epirb is in the future. Some people say we are crazy to go this far in a small boat but their are some small boat I would rather be in instead of bigger boats offshore.
jimh posted 11-22-2002 12:26 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
Console-mounted radios:

--cost less
--transmit/receive greater distance
--function more reliably
--run on your main battery

Hand held radios:

--cost more
--transmit/receive less distance
--are prone to being dropped
--run on small batteries

My choice is always for a top-quality radio with a quality antenna, profesionally installed.

ICOM and STANDARD are good brands.


andygere posted 11-22-2002 09:22 PM ET (US)     Profile for andygere  Send Email to andygere     
Although I don't think handhelds are a good replacement for fixed mount VHFs, especially offshore, they do have some benefits:

They work even when your boat batteries are dead or swamped or your wiring is bad.

If entering the water is a possiblitiy, a submersible handheld can stay with you. When I boat alone, I keep the handheld clipped to my belt or in my pocket.

Handhelds can go with you on another boat. I've used mine on my sea kayak, my Hobie Cat, and on other people's boats.

A handheld on shore is handy for family members to contact you on the boat ("It's time to come get us at the beach", "We are next in line at the ramp", etc.)

Dick posted 11-22-2002 09:48 PM ET (US)     Profile for Dick  Send Email to Dick     
I flush mounted a Raytheon 45 VHF in my Montauk and am running a 4' Digital antenna on a SS ratchet mount on the console grab rail. The 4' Digital performs better than the 8' Shakespeare that I took off.
I do also carry a Raytheon 100 hand held as a back up.
AnthonyT posted 11-22-2002 11:02 PM ET (US)     Profile for AnthonyT  Send Email to AnthonyT     
I need to agree with Dick.... The 4' digital is sweet. It may even be Dick who recommended it to me when I was asking back when... It was a good recommendation...

Anthony

James posted 11-22-2002 11:58 PM ET (US)     Profile for James  Send Email to James     
I use a fixed mount Icom 502 with a 4 ft. Digital on a stainless ratchet mounted on the side of the console next to the tackle trays. It fits very well under the 170 Montauk Bimini and its operating range has not been a problem anywhere in Raritan Bay. The 4 ft. antenna easily folds down for storage.

I also have a handheld Icom M1V which is very nice to have as an alternate. In actual use, I much prefer the fixed model.

James.

Ferdinando posted 11-23-2002 11:23 PM ET (US)     Profile for Ferdinando  Send Email to Ferdinando     
What does a 4' Digital ant go for???

Thks,

Fred

Dick posted 11-24-2002 03:08 PM ET (US)     Profile for Dick  Send Email to Dick     
Fred

My Digital price list is a year old but the 528-VW 4' antenna listed for $115.95.
www.digitalantenna.com

James posted 11-25-2002 12:27 AM ET (US)     Profile for James  Send Email to James     
This time of the year a lot of stuff goes on sale. I bought mine at Consumer Marine Electronics (www.consumermarine.com). Ask for Brian.

James.

ghefty posted 11-25-2002 03:52 PM ET (US)     Profile for ghefty  Send Email to ghefty     
I just ordered my new Montauk 170 last week, now I must contain my excitement while I identify the equipment I will use to outfit my new boat. I had been considering the Shakespeare 5341 but will now also consider the Digital 4'. My questions: Where and how have you mounted your antenna and VHF? Did you user a separate antenna for the stereo or a splitter for the VHF antenna?

mbking1 posted 11-25-2002 07:24 PM ET (US)     Profile for mbking1  Send Email to mbking1     
I just ordered my 4 foot digital antenna. It was $66.95 from Bethel-marine.com. Their number is 321-729-6706. They were very helpful and also had the best price I could find. Mark
AnthonyT posted 11-26-2002 06:56 PM ET (US)     Profile for AnthonyT  Send Email to AnthonyT     
Ghefty,

Congrats on your new baby..... I also have the 170 and this is my final configuration.

I mounted my radio below my steering wheel on the vertical surface. Fromthis position I can grab the mike, see the radio and the speaker is directly facing me. It is also suprising out of the way. I came close to flush mounting it behind the cup holders but opted not for 2 reasons:

1. Just the general pain in the tail to install there, plus existing wiring behind.
2. If you ever want to replace the radio, what is the chance that you will find one that fits the same flush cutout.

For the antenna, I went with the 4' digital. Its a great antenna and I have it mounted on a rachet on the starboard side of the console grab rail. It folds down below the console/fish box canvas when not in use.

Good luck with the boat...

AnthonyT

triblet posted 12-01-2002 09:39 AM ET (US)     Profile for triblet  Send Email to triblet     
ghefty: I can't find specs on a Shake 5341.
Did you maybe mean the 5241?

Andygere and all: It's not legal to use your
handheld from the beach unless you have a
hard-to-get short station license.


Chuck

andygere posted 12-02-2002 02:17 AM ET (US)     Profile for andygere  Send Email to andygere     
Good point Chuck. I'll remind Nancy to take it for a swim before hailing me:)
ghefty posted 12-02-2002 11:53 AM ET (US)     Profile for ghefty  Send Email to ghefty     
Chuck, I did mis-type the model number. I think I'll be going with the Digital.

Thank you all for your help. I'll let you know when I get my new baby.

George

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