VHF Radios

[RussGW270]

Curious. I have an older Ray53 VHF. It sends, cannot hear anything. May be fixable, but.. I have a brand new ICOM with AIS/DSC.. etc. The Icom is nmea2000. I think the other is nmea 183, but.. eh.. don't use that so, don't care. I want a 2nd VHF, since I have 2 antennas.... and debating, does it matter to have a second AIS? I mean, if one dies... the ICOM, and it is that bad out there, just head in... the likelyhood of the icom dying and the non ais.. plus I have a handhelds. So, they will both have DSC.

Worth paying over 400 for a backup VHF, or ya think a Standard Horizon or B&G would suffice?

Just trying to look for a deal. Don;t think I need to pay out the wazoo for what would be my "chat with people that may be out there" vhf heh.. but, also .. safety has no price....lol..

Don't know anything about Standard Horizon or B&G. I mean.. the Ray53 does not have AIS or the ability to tie into nmea2000...so, would just get a cheap one that at least did nmea2000 and dcs.. and then, later.. when I feel all fancy.. heh, upgrade it, but for now, keep the cost low.

R

 

[Parthery]

You don't need a second AIS radio if you already have one.

Assuming you already have an N2K backbone in the boat, S/H makes a N2K VHF (without the built in GPS) that can be had for less than $200. BUT - if you shop smart, you can find the N2K radio with the built in GPS for about $15 more. And if someone ever needs to find you, you will be glad you have GPS coordinates on the VHF.

 

[RussGW270]

Picked up this:

Explorer Series GX1850 25W Fixed Mount VHF / NMEA2000 / Second Station Capable

Ooops.. wrong one, will call and swap it to the GPS one. Thanks


R

 

[Parthery]

Picked up this:

Explorer Series GX1850 25W Fixed Mount VHF / NMEA2000 / Second Station Capable

Ooops.. wrong one, will call and swap it to the GPS one. Thanks


R

Hodges has the 1850 without the GPS for $190 and the one with the GPS (1850G) for $204. For that price you can't beat it.

 

[RussGW270]

Yep, got the one for 204