Marine Radio

I’m looking to install a marine radio in my boat. I have never had one before due to the fact I didn’t have a big enough boat to worry about fishing anywhere I would need one. Now since I have purchased a new boat I am interested in installing one in my boat. Which one should I purchase? Are the pro’s and con’s to each brand? Are they pretty easy to install or is it something I will have to bring in and have someone else install it for me. Any feedback will help out greatly! Thanks!

I’m a big promoter of Standard Horizon radios.

They have a 3 year warranty.

My speaker in the mic went out in the second year. Since I figured it was out of warranty I waited until year four (now it IS out of warranty) get it fixed.

The company fixed it at no charge. No return shipping to me…no hassle…Free.

Been a happy camper ever since.

I’m on year 6 with this unit and couldn’t be happier…in fact, the lock operators tell me that I have one of the strongest (modulating) radios they’ve heard. Loud and clear on the receiving end.

Really the basic units have all the nifty features a person needs now. Monitor multiple channels, Noaa weather. I think they are all submersible now.
I not big on mic controls…after all the radio is right there to changes channels ect. The speaker in the mic is very useful though.

As far as install, physically mounting it to a solid location and running a +/- is all that’s needed for the radio it’s self.

The DSC wires can get a little tricky but I’ve heard the instructions are much better then when I was installing mine. These are the wires that come out of your GPS and connect to the marine radio.

Speaking of DSC, if you don’t have a gps that can connect to your radio, get a marine radio that has the gps built in. They are cheap enough now that it’s a no brainer….and if the day ever comes when you need help and your phone doesn’t have service, it’s going to be your life saver.

The place most people have trouble when installing a radio is the antenna connection. Once your radio is installed and you find the range is very short…it’s that connection that’s the culprit…100% every time.

I don’t know of a bad radio company out there, but I don’t know of a radio company that has the service that Standard Horizion has either.

Check with Ben at Jolly Ann Marine for the current specials going on…seems like there’s always something on special.

I-COM — basic one is 304 – that’s all U need GREAT RADIO”S

get it in black or gray — stay away from white

Buy a basic radio and a high-end antenna. Like BK said – Standard Horizen is a great choice. The basic models nowadays are very good.

With antenna’s, on the other hand, you get what you pay for. Get an 8′ good one and you will not regret it.

Yaesu is another good brand
I have a hand held which is great.

Yes. My old white radio has a bit of a yellow tint to it.

Ive had 2 I-com’s, good radio, but said above, antenna connector needs to be done right.

Also, never turn on radio without antenna connected, could burn out the radio.

My Ray marine 54 is going on 13 years now. Has never been an issue. Very strong broad cast and reception.

Hand held radio a good option our do you strongly recommend a mounted unit?

I prefer to a solid mounted one. Hand held don’t seem to reach out nearly as far. I’ve relayed messages while setting on the far side of a conversation and a hand held in in-between me and his friend.

The first time around I bought a hand held. I could “hear” everyone but only talk to, well it depended. But I was unhappy with it. Besides after I bought the 12 v charger, 2 sets of rechargeable batteries I had close to $300.00 in it.

It pooped out on me a couple years ago. I bought a new one from Jolly Anne Marine. If I recall it was $89.00 and came with everything but a 12 v charger.

I use it in my camper to listen the the barge traffic and the friends up at the lock. The can hear me the two miles to the lock where they couldn’t with my old radio.

Would I recommend a handheld for your boat?

If you knew you would be using it for short distances like calling the lock, yeah it would work.
If you’re thinking of using it as a back up emergency communications device….no.

I’m only going from my experience on the river. Others on the lakes may have another point of view.

Marine radios are “line of sight” for the most part. Lakes don’t wind and bend with trees in the way.