|
Marine VHF
(Click Here to Enter the VHF Store at
anytime)
Before you can install a Marine SSB on
your boat, you must have a VHF. The new
M604 and
M504 are great buys. Reasonably priced
and full the of features, like DSC, you
need. Add the Command MicIII (up to 2 on the
M604) for operation from a remote location,
and you have a very versatile system. The
M604 also has a built in hailer and foghorn
with integral 30 watt amplifier. We used to
recommend mounting a DSC radio at the wheel
- that way you have access to the DSC
functions where you are most likely to need
it. but with the M604/M504 and the
CommandMicIII - the DSC (and hailer)
functions are also available from the
CommandMicIII. Most people use the white
version for cockpit mounting as it will not
get as hot in the sun.
An economical DSC radio from Icom that
CommandMicII can be added to is the
M422. Lower priced than the 504, it has
the popular features boaters want at a
budget price AND it has the option for a
loud-hailer speaker to be added. It is
important to note that the DSC functions
CANNOT be accessed from the CommandMicII
(And the CommandMicIII is NOT campatable
with the M422) so it may be a better plan to
mount the M422 at the wheel and the
CommandMicII below.
If you don't need the Command Microphone, or
have a perfectly operating non-DSC radio at
the nav station and want a second radio at
the wheel, we suggest the
M304. It is a good choice for a
secondary VHF in the cockpit or on a smaller
vessel. A very high quality radio at a
budget price. With the license requirement
for VHF dropped by the FCC (you still need a
FCC License
for the vessel, and an operators permit for
you, if you add SSB or go into foreign
waters) there is no excuse for not having a
VHF. Part of that FCC license process is
obtaining your Ship Station Identity Number
need for DSC functions.
In terms of handheld vhf radios, The Icom
M72 (which replaces the M1V) or the
M88A are the best choices in our book.
Both continue the submersible ruggedness of
the M1/M1V, the long-time favorite of
boaters everywhere, but in a more compact
package and the best battery technology
available - Lithium-Ion. Unlike
nickel-cadmium batteries, Li-Ion batteries
do not self-discharge in storage. That means
you can charge up you radio and put it away,
knowing that the batteries will still be
fully charged when it is time to use it.
They don't suffer from the memory problems
of nickel-cadmium either. Use the radio for
a short time and recharging it is deadly to
Ni-Cads - pretty soon they will only provide
a very short operational time. No so with
Li-Ion. The M88 has the advantage of an
available BP-226 AA battery case for
powering the radio in an emergency or when
charging isn't possible. It also has the
option of 22 additional channels for land
mobile use that can be programmed by us (for
a nominal fee) - an appropriate license for
use of those frequencies may be required -
contact us for details.
Icom also makes an Intrinsically Safe
marine VHF Handheld - the
M88-IS (sometimes referred to as
M88-11), is approved for use in hazardous
locations, such as on an oil tanker. It has
the same great features of the M88.
The M72 features waterproof
construction, a large capacity 2000mAh
Li-Ion battery and 6 watts output power. It
also has a 600mw audio output amplifier for
plenty of receive audio, and is available
with a built in voice scrambler compatible
with the UT-112 that is an available option
on the M504 & M604.
Newest to the lineup is the
M34 - a handheld that FLOATS! It also
uses Lithium-Ion battery technology like the
M72 & M88A, but with a smaller 980 mAh
capacity to achieve positive flotation. It
includes the Li-Ion battery pack and drop-in
charger. There is also an optional AA-cell
battery tray. A word of caution though - the
M34 may NOT float with certain batteries
installed in the AA holder.
|
