Whats the best VHF radio to buy?

[Puking Dog]

I'm thinking of buying a new VHF radio for my boat as the old one doesn't have the best range.

I would appreciate any opinions of what's on your boat and how good it works.

Thanks

Jim

[sherman brown]

the antenna is the heart of not getting good range .just about any radio will work as long as you have a good antenna. I recommend the Shakespeare 5225 xt. they cost a little over 100.00. I forget the brand radio I bough last yr.  but most of the radios the cost of the radios I checked before I bought and the cost is depending on the bells and whistles you want. I bought a new one with built in gps. and registered it through boatus.com.  the one I bought off ebay was on sale for 189.00. I just wanted to get one with built in gps. and I was well pleased with the one I got.

[Shorthanded]

What Sherman said....

Icom and Standard Horizon make good radios, I've been happy with both brands. Buy the best antenna you can afford, the lower dB the better, i.e., Shakespeare Mariner are 6dB.

[sherman brown]

I think I got the icom radio with built in gps. its about the middle of the pack radio. I used it out of Geneva and talked with guys as far away that I hadn't been  away to before. but I also use a n9'.6" antenna. I got it off ebay when the seller had a big discount. it is the Shakespeare 5399  9.5 antenna.

[jimski2]

A gps tracker system will allow your emergency radio transmission broadcast contain your gps position. It simplifies your emergency message transmission.

[sherman brown]

yeah I decided to get the icom with built in gps. then just register in with boatus and your ready to go. if you have an emergency just hit the button and the coast guard get all your info and you gps location. you can also run a radio without gps through your boat gps.

sherman

[joe lagreca]

Cell phone!! Lol

Sent from my SM-G930V using Lake Erie United Mobile App

[jimski2]

Cell phone batteries die in cold air temperatures. Install a 12 volt cigarette lighter outlet to allow a charging port in your dash board to enable your cell phone battery to have a full charge.

[sherman brown]

i've been out on erie's central basin and lost cell phone service. the marine radio will reach the coast guard when your phone wont work.

[mr 580]

In an emergency time is critical.  A “Mayday” call on Channel 16 will likely get a faster response than a cell call. Plus your best bet for help is a nearby boater.  With a MMSI number the USCG will have both your GPS coordinates and basic vessel info.  The radio and antenna are around $250 - MMSI sign up is free.   Not a lot of money by today’s standards and what guys have invested in boats and gear.  My radio has a special distress button- don’t have that on my cell phone.