VHF Radio in the cockpit

[asdf38]

Originally Posted by SlowButSteady

I just ordered a Standard Horizon gx1700. It has a GPS built into it, and can accept a remote mic (RAM3). Once I get it installed, I'll make the decision about getting the RAM3 mic for the cockpit. However, such a mic should have two advantages: it will essentially give me a 25W VHF in the cockpit; and it will also give me a new "handheld" GPS receiver, that basically has unlimited battery power and is always tethered to the boat (don't ask). Of course, this particular radio also has the advantage that the GPS is already wired into it, so it's automatically integrated with the DSC.

I really like the integrated GPS. And of course that makes sense. Now that GPS's are in every single phone they are a cheap commodity. For $200 that's the thing to get. Too bad I bought the $120 west marine radio two years ago...

I respectfully disagree. A narrow channel with cross wind or current, a congested area with a bunch of Saturday afternoon six-packers "buzzing" around, following seas where controlling the boat is a full time job. The last thing I want to do is leave the cockpit. Dan S/V Marian Claire

I agree with this. I hate leaving the cockpit when I don't have too. I usually have crew but often they have 0 experience which is actually worse than single handing. Especially when you're trying to show them a good time. So having as many things accessible in the cockpit is ideal and leads to less stressful sailing. My boat is small enough that I have an ok situation with the radio mounted just inside the companionway with a spot for the mic to wrap around into the cockpit. Although reaching the mic while holding the tiller is still a stretch.

[msmith10]

I'd advise against a wireless RAM mic. Battery life is dismal--4-6 hours at best. Spring for a radio and wired remote mic.

[Jiminri]

Originally Posted by msmith10

I'd advise against a wireless RAM mic. Battery life is dismal--4-6 hours at best. Spring for a radio and wired remote mic.

Bummer on that. Plus I just checked the cost. The Raymarine version runs $700 for the least expensive version. I willing to do a lot of wiring to avoid that $$$.

[SlowButSteady]

Originally Posted by Jiminri

Bummer on that. Plus I just checked the cost. The Raymarine version runs $700 for the least expensive version. I willing to do a lot of wiring to avoid that $$$.

The Standard Horizon RAM3 is about $100, plus another $30-40 for the wiring extension kit.

[Ritchard]

to answer my own question above, I may still do a cockpit radio. I have room in my enormous navpod, and I love the idea of having the full GPS/radio screen as redundant at the helm. The standard horizon radios are only 3-1/2 inches deep.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Ritchard

to answer my own question above, I may still do a cockpit radio. I have room in my enormous navpod, and I love the idea of having the full GPS/radio screen as redundant at the helm. The standard horizon radios are only 3-1/2 inches deep.

I'm sure you'll check the Compass Safe Distance beforehand, No?

[Ritchard]

I realize it's heresy, but I never even look at the compass. I am a GPS man. I know, you respond, "But what happens if the GPS system goes out?" To which I then reply "if the GPS system goes out that probably means all out war, so I have worse problems to think about."

If I really needed the compass, I am sure I could switch off the radio and use the one in the cabin.

Okay further to that, would a radio give off enough heat that keeping it in the navpod would kill anything?

[asdf38]

Originally Posted by Ritchard

I realize it's heresy, but I never even look at the compass. I am a GPS man. I know, you respond, "But what happens if the GPS system goes out?" To which I then reply "if the GPS system goes out that probably means all out war, so I have worse problems to think about."

If I really needed the compass, I am sure I could switch off the radio and use the one in the cabin.

Okay further to that, would a radio give off enough heat that keeping it in the navpod would kill anything?

The VHF only generates significant heat when transmitting and that's just in short bursts. Also consider all the VHF's mounted in the nav station jammed in with lots of other electrics. The navpod (on the cockpit I assume) is better from a heat perspective than that.

[PCP]

I guess that a station at hand from the one that is handling the boat makes all the sense if he sails solo or have not a crew that can operate the radio when needed. I can see some occasions where that would be almost indispensable, or at least very useful, like when you have all the hands controlling the boat and don't fell safe to leave cockpit with the boat on autopilot and go behind to talk at the radio...and that sometimes take time. Sure, you can put down the sails, or have a reef, but that is a lot of trouble.

Regarding the occasions, I give you a recent example: Sailing at night with wind and going fast with a big ship that I was seeing constantly on the same bearing regarding my boat and as all know, probably on a Collision course. I have asked my wife to call the ship and ask them if they were seeing us. It took some minutes, they replied yes they were seeing us...and changed course

I want to point out another system that can be used as a communication device replacing an outside conventional station: the modern no wires remote controls for autopilot have a function that (if the radio is a modern one from the same brand) permits to use it as a remote control station, I mean to hear and to speak, and has the thing is very small and normally is around your neck, it will not by an obstacle for nobody.

My boat come with one but I have to say that with so many new things and gadgets to learn how to use properly I have not yet used it (just tried it) but I guess that with time to get used to it, it will be a nice and useful equipment.

Regards

Paulo

[macswift]

Originally Posted by marianclaire

I respectfully disagree. A narrow channel with cross wind or current, a congested area with a bunch of Saturday afternoon six-packers "buzzing" around, following seas where controlling the boat is a full time job. The last thing I want to do is leave the cockpit. Dan S/V Marian Claire

Point taken, but in that situation the radio would have to wait if I was on my tod. But my days of single-handed sailing are behind me, so my crew would deal with the radio. It would probably be one of her mates calling anyway...