VHF Replacement

Fishtales

Fishtales

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
8,232
Reaction score
1,344
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?
 
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
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sdfish and PDX-Boats
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
+2 on the Standard Horizon products. Can't go wrong with any of them.
 
Fishtales said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
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....
 
If you are going with the GX1850G, I would shop around as I got mine earlier this year from Hodges for 174 (Black)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.