Marine VHF Radio?

TWB · 07-28-2003, 01:36 PM

Hello all,

I am going to replace my Icom M59 marine VHF radio. It never has worked very well. Short range, and some channels do not transmit or recieve (like channel 78.) The last straw was this weekend' it was blowing fuses when transmitting.

First of all, if any of you radio buffs would like to have it, before I throw it away, post up.
Possibly a radio person could make it work right?

Then more importantly, what radio would you buy? Middle of the road, don't need all the bells and whistles, just a good communication system. What brand and model are you having good sucess with?

To me the most important thing is good range. I also like a radio that will scan all channels (this one would only scan a few tagged channels.)

Going to buy this week before the halibut day, so what do you think?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Jerry

kenai · 07-28-2003, 02:01 PM

I've had the raymarine model 52 (fixed mount) for a couple of years now and it's worked well. The channel/scan button is on the mike and is a handy feature.

Badger · 07-29-2003, 08:56 AM

My Standard Horizon (Intrepid model) has worked well since I got it last year. Scan feature works fine, no capacity issues. Has capability for remote mike, which I need to install one of these days, which will make it easier to talk to all you ifishers as I'm slaying fish away from the helm.

8knots · 07-29-2003, 02:27 PM

I had problems with the same Icom model. It was picking up serious rf noise from my inverter and nothing we tried would fix it. A buddy of mine is a install tech at Rodgers Marine and her told me how many Standard VHF's they install. I put it on late Spring and have been 100 percent satisfied with it.

I am beginning to think the entry level Icoms are not that good. It is my understanding that they are made by another company.

TWB · 07-29-2003, 09:53 PM

Thanks everyone for the information. After studying the catalogs and your information I went to a marine dealer in Portland tonight. I told the salesman what I wanted in a radio and what I did in boating. Without telling him what brands I was considering, he went to the Ray52 and the Standard line of radios and recommended these.

After making the comparisions, I chose the Standard Horizon radio. I think the two were very comparable though, the Standard having a few more bells and whistles.

8knots I am sorry to here that you had similar problems with the cheap Icom. It really turned me off on there line when it came to upgrading to a little better model. Thanks again for the help.
Jerry