VHF radio

[sailhog]

Does anyone know whether or not that VHF radio advertised on Sailnet's banner ad is worth the super-low price of $89? Looks like it does everything except the laundry. If the engine conks out and I can't hail Seatow on it, I'll hopefully have enough Spam and Budweiser onboard to see me through the crisis.

[Freesail99]

Having Budweiser on board may be the reason the engine conked out. Please fix that. I thought it was a good radio. At that price you be harded pressed to find one with more features.

[Watermelon]

I've been wondering the same thing. I don't know if I'm missing anything, or it's really a good buy. I need to upgrade.

One can never have enough gadgets aboard a boat, just not enough watts to power them all.

[RAGTIMEDON]

In my experience any radio that says "Standard Horizon" on it is pretty good value. I have been using Standard Horizon radios on three boats, and in the last 20 years have not had a failure. Give it a good antenna and it will call Towboat US or your buddy across the lake with no problem. Mine carries about 12 miles on low power with the antenna on the mast. I cannot imagine they would let a poor quality radio destroy the reputation built up over many years.

[wchevron]

i was looking at this radio also. my current vhf is from '92. if i replace it with this radio, can i use the same antenna?

[camaraderie]

I use a Standard Horizon hand held and it is basic but sturdy having survived many drops on the dock with no I'll effects. I think the $89 bucks is well worth it.
Wchevron...yes ...you can use your exiting antenna.

[sailaway21]

I likewise have had good experiences with Standard Horizon products particularly their UHF/FM handheld radios. They were the lower cost alternative to Motorola and seemed to perform every bit as well.

At $89 I'd say the issue is not whether to buy it but why not to buy it? Under $100 I would consider to be the throw away price point, think VCR's, and the absolute worse case scenario is that it makes a nice Christmas gift for an acquaintance or a ready to go back up radio in the garage/boat yard shop.

[Watermelon]

True, it's sub-boat buck. But, when it comes to the boat, I want it to work when I need it to, rather than the undesired alternative. So far, it sounds like from everyone contributing, it would do that job just fine and dandy. So, I guess it is starting to fall into the "why not upgrade to it" basket. :-)

Handhelds work great on my home pond, but it'd be nice to have more whomp when I need it. (I'll have both)

[petegingras]

if it's the price that makes you concerned, be concerned. China, China, China, they're not makin' that smoog for the summer Olympics for nothin'. lead-paint, slave wages, non-regulated industries.

I've still got mom's gen-air deep freezer in the basement, from the early 60's, but my General electirc stove, and fridge (made in China) lasted 7 years and 8 years respectively.

but you can buy two at that price.

[sailaway21]

petegingras,
I'm unaware of any radios made in the US still. I think Motorola was about the last to shift production offshore.