Opinions on Marine Band Radio

Looking to put a marine radio on and no idea what to get for radio or antenna. Anyone have an experience with these ? Use most out of Sturgeon Bay. Much past 5 to 7 miles out cellphone does not make it.

I’ve had both uniden and standard horizon. No complaints about either one of them. Both are good brands and continue to make good radios.

Be sure to invest the time in learning how to use whatever radio you buy. When you need the radio in case of an emergency is not the time to try to figure out how to use it.

Also marine radios just help with a lot of courtesy situations like approaching fuel docks and departing harbors with narrow entrances. It’s very helpful to learn the proper procedure to make radio calls to help ease these situations.

Grouse

I would stay away from Ray Marine. I have had two that came rigged on boats, and both failed. I have also had standard horizon, lowrance, and uniden and those have all been good.

I start a post about Marine Radios last spring. I bought the one BK recommended. I am happy with it. The link below will take you to the post.

IDO marine radio recommendations

Marine Radio recommendations

Mounted a Standard Horizon GX1700 in the dash on my latest boat, really like it. Also went with a Shakespeare 8′ quick detach antenna, and quick detach mount. Really convenient being able to take antenna off when not in use. Had the wife make me a long rod sock for it, and keep it in the rod box when not in use.

Attachments:

1. 

   handle-bb-r.jpg
   

2. 

   handle-aa-r.jpg
   

One other thing to add, when looking at the link in Arcticm’s posting, there was a posting in there about needing to pay, to get your VHF registered, so that it would give your location. My Standard horizon blocked out functions, till I got it registered, and entered my registration #. Took some internet searching, but found a way to do it for free. It was a little confusing, but I received my #, and didn’t have to pay. I may have saved the site, if not, I think I wrote it down in my manual. If you were to pay, prices were all over the ball park. Anywhere from $15-$60
Just looked, I think I used Maritime mobile service identity.
Also look at FCC.gov/ship-radio-stations, for info

Another note: a good basic radio is fine, but it’s performance relays on the antenna it is hooked to. Shakespeare makes several, and my recommendation is to NOT skimp on this part. Spend the coin and get the good one, and use the solderable connector, not the crimp style. The difference in performance is night and day.