VHF Replacement

Fishtales

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
8,019
Reaction score
1,284
Points
113
Having issues with the Ray53 I've had since 2007. Jumps over channels and difficult to get to the channel you want.
What do folks recommend for a fixed VHF that will sit in the radio box in the hardtop?
 

Ky Grady

GreatGrady Captain
Staff member
Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
3,027
Reaction score
1,351
Points
113
Location
Berea, KY/Cross, SC
Model
Seafarer
I run a ICOM 504 which was replaced with the 506. Been very satisfied with it. Second boat it's been on. Paired with a Shakespeare Galaxy antenna.

20171220_111817-755x755.jpg
 

SkunkBoat

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2017
Messages
4,507
Reaction score
1,614
Points
113
Location
Manasquan Inlet NJ
Website
www.youtube.com
Model
Express 265
For all the bells and whistles a Standard Horizon GX2400 is pretty damn good. GPS/DSC/AIS/Scrambler/Hailer/foghorn/wireless capable..
It easily connects to MFDs by NMEA2k..no more trying to figure out NMEA0183 wires and settings for DSC and AIS.
You could spend a lifetime trying to learn all the things it can do....

I have an older GX2200 and I'm very happy with it. Love the AIS symbols on the chartplotter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sdfish and drbatts

chrisk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2016
Messages
56
Reaction score
8
Points
8
+2 on the Standard Horizon products. Can't go wrong with any of them.
 

blindmullet

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
449
Reaction score
106
Points
43
Location
Florida
Model
Explorer
Having issues with the Ray53 I've had since 2007. Jumps over channels and difficult to get to the channel you want.
What do folks recommend for a fixed VHF that will sit in the radio box in the hardtop?
It was always iCom for anyone that made a living on the water for years. I think there are tons of good choices out there now from several manufactures. I would look at "last years" model from your choice. Get the integrated GPS---I ended up getting a Standard Horizon for the Grady.
 

Parthery

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
2,589
Reaction score
220
Points
63
Location
Atlanta, GA
Another vote for Standard Horizon. You can get the GX1850GB, which is both N2K and has a built in GPS, for $225 on Amazon. Tough to beat that deal.
 

drbatts

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
887
Reaction score
190
Points
43
Location
CT
Model
Express 305
Get one with the AIS option if you can. Nice to have the AIS targets on the chart plotter. I have a icom and a garmin with AIS networked with the NMEA2k.
 

Ky Grady

GreatGrady Captain
Staff member
Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Messages
3,027
Reaction score
1,351
Points
113
Location
Berea, KY/Cross, SC
Model
Seafarer
With all this VHF talk and AIS networking with NMEA2K, I ordered the ICOM 506 to replace the 11 year old 504. Should network right in with all my new Simrad gear.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PointedRose

ROBERTH

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
1,311
Reaction score
125
Points
63
Location
Raleigh, NC
Model
Sailfish
I have 2 ICOM's currently and have since I got the grady which it had one already. They have been stellar and test excellent each season when I run the test. Can't say same for antenna's, but radios have been great .
I now SH makes some good radios, but in my former boat which was more exposed to the weather, I went through 3 SH radios over about a 10 year period.
I would love to replace one of my Icom's with either the Simrad or Lowrance Link9 version for seamless connectivity with my network and get the AIS, buddy function, etc, but just not ready to go the $500 when both ICOM's are doing a great job for now.
I have no affiliation....just stating my experience so far....
 

Blaugrana

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Messages
703
Reaction score
107
Points
43
Age
41
Location
Bayville, New Jersey
Model
Seafarer
If you are going with the GX1850G, I would shop around as I got mine earlier this year from Hodges for 174 (Black)