With so many different manufactures, features, benefits, and warranties purchasing marine electronics can be down right tough these days. With the spring season upon us and with so many folks purchasing and outfitting new boats or upgrading older boats many are faced with the tough decisions that come with purchasing electronics. Without a doubt the single most important piece of marine electronics is a good marine Very High Frequency (VHF) radio. A VHF is much more than just a way to talk to your fishing buddies while on the water, it is your lifeline to the US Coast Guard as well as the local towing companies.
Here are just a few things to consider when purchasing a VHF:
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Water resistance – If using a VHF to call for assistance chances are weather is bad, and quite possibly wet from either rain or spray; therefore, water resistant or even better water proof units are essential.
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External speaker hook up –With this feature an auxiliary speaker may be attached to the VHF, the speaker may be placed in a remote location on the vessel so that others may be able to hear conversations on the radio, another bonus to this feature is the better sound quality from the external speaker.
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Wattage – The rating of power at which a VHF will transmit. Good hand helds are rated at 5 watts these days and dash mounted units should be somewhere between 5 to 25 watts. Consult with your dealer to confirm the wattage you should use to meet your needs.
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Antenna – VHF radios operate on line of sight; therefore, antenna gain, cable, and mounting height are the most critical components to strong transmissions. These factors are even more important than wattage. Range on most hand helds is going to be limited to 5 miles due to these factors. Dash mounted units will transmit much further when properly installed. Coaxial cable should never be cut on VHF antennas as it is technically part of the antenna and not just a means of linking the VHF to the antenna. Antenna should be mounted as high as possible on the vessel. It