View Full Version : VHF radio-what kind?
I'm ready to buy a radio for my sled and antenna. What kind should I get? I have around $300 to spend. Any advice would be appreciated.
I have a Ratheon 25 watt fixed mount with a Shakespear antenna that I really like ... get yourself up to Fisherman's and to West Marine across the parking lot at Hayden Meadows ... talk to the salesmen and look at the products. Within your budget you should have no problem finding something which will serve you well.
Stz ll
10-14-2001, 01:01 PM
I also recommend the Ratheon. I have an Apelco which is what they used to be called. I have had it for several years and have better luck with it than the others I have had. Get the best antenna possible. Your radio will only be as good as the antenna.
Thumper
10-14-2001, 01:33 PM
Talk to Steve Wood at Fisherman's Marine. As the former owner of All-West Communications, Steve is an expert. You can't go wrong listening to him about all things electronic.
Paranoid
10-14-2001, 02:45 PM
After much debate and investigation I chose Icoms M-45. It is a full featured radio, completely waterproof. I also went with a Shakespear 8'. Check this one out!
Gobbaworms
10-14-2001, 05:50 PM
I'm with Stz II, DON'T skimp on the antenna. Buy a lesser radio before a lesser antenna. BTW I have a Uniden 1020 with an 8' Shakespere. The radio is watertight and has every feature you'll ever need. I've never had probs with Uniden in the past.
ICOM ! !
They make many many radio's and do a very good job
I own 2 icom Radio's
One ICOM W32 A VHF UHF Radio (ham bands)
And an ICOM 2100 H also in the ham bands
These products are very good. Plus I have herd many many good things about there Marine Products
SlabQuest
10-16-2001, 12:20 AM
I buy all my electronics from Lunde in Ballard. 95% of their sales are expensive/commercial stuff - so they don't care what, or if, I buy from them. When I have strayed from their advise, I have been sorry. It seems that no one manufacturer makes the best of everything in a price class. For recreational use, I ended up with: Radar: Ratheon, Fish Finder: Furuno (although Lowrance is great), VHF: ICOM (with the "better" Shakespeare antenna)
ICOM (the company) is in Redmond, WA and I have been told that they are very responsive the questions/problems.