vhf radio import

Keith Hart · 05 October 2003, 10:13

Hi folks

Call me thick, but...

If I buy a hh vhf radio from the usa, ie. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...roductId=35241

will this have the correct radio chanels etc for use in the UK?

Keith (another daft question) Hart

Mike C · 05 October 2003, 10:21

Probabaly! It says it has all the 'International' channels, I note!

My old boat had an American Humminbird VHF on it which had a US and International setting. Didn't matter most of the time but I think there is some difference in the duplex channels for the old marine telephone hook up. Also it may not have had channel 'M' but I never worked out exactly what that was anyway! Check if this one has the US/INT switch..... But even if it doesn't, most of the channels will be there and on the same frequency... 16, 6, 8, 13, 72, 77, etc.

Don't forget though Keith, unless you pick it up in the US yourself, you may get stung for import duty and VAT so is it worth it?

Mike C

John Kennett · 05 October 2003, 10:24

Yes. Because it says "All international, Canada, and U.S. channels."

You may find that you have to remember to manually switch it to the "International" channels each time you turn it on though.

This was a common problem with the Humminbird fixed VHF sets that were pretty much the standard fit to RIBs a few years ago (the only waterproofish set then available). The US channels are similar to the International ones. but not quite the same. As a result if you don't select the right channels it appears to be working OK when receiving, but is useless when transmitting . . .

< edit -- beaten to it by Mike C! What are you doing here at the weekend? Shouldn't you be working? >

John

Mike C · 05 October 2003, 10:29

I will be from mid afternoon to midnight.... Play time now! but not enough time to get afloat!

Lester McCarthy · 06 October 2003, 07:51

I have an American waterproof Hummingbird VHF radio I need to get rid of - any use

Jelly · 06 October 2003, 08:26

The Humming bird waterproof radio IMHO is great if you live in the USA where they are V cheep & the garrentee says they will replace it when it dies. But if not in USA, used in small open boats as we did surveying they died regularly and thus we classed them as a dispossable consumable who's only real use was a fishing wieght!
There are quite a few other sets about that have a good reputation, (I'm biased towards the icom, but thats me) or you can talk to DS developmnets who can waterproof most sets.

Jelly

Keith Hart · 06 October 2003, 11:09

Hmmmmmm....does anyone know a good uk based website with h/h radios please?

Keith Hart

Charles · 06 October 2003, 11:29

Keith - a good and appropriate expression is the following:
'Short term gains, long term liabilities'
Fork out the money and buy yourself a decent radio - ICOM (my preference) or Simrad and be done with it.
Try here

Richard B · 06 October 2003, 11:43

I agree with the above (ie Charles)

The pound doesn't purchase as strongly from the US as it used to, and HMC&E are getting more vigilant about "grey imports". If they intercept your package (and it's likely that they will) you'll pay import duty and taxes on the UK cost.

The radio that you've looked at is not waterproof - just splashproof. I'd go for a Garmin725E which is fully waterproof, AND then put it in a waterproof Aquapack. The Garmin set has no rotary controls, no moving parts, and can be easily operated in the bag. It's the only h/h VHF which you can do this with.

Have a look here: http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...k&pagenumber=2

Brian · 06 October 2003, 11:47

Richard
The Garmin does look nice, how much for the radio, how much for the bag ? (I can supply my own cork(s)) !!!

Richard B · 06 October 2003, 12:23

IIRC the Garmin is around £195 if you shop around - Allgadgets have them at £199 and a Google search may throw up some better prices. Safety Marine have an offer of a 2nd rechargeable battery for 2.50 although some retailers have this thrown in for nothing (I found one at Marine Force - now sadly defunct)

Can't remember how much the bag was - but it's important to order the correct one for the VHF (Garmin has l/h aerial, Icoms are r/h)

HTH!

John Firth · 06 October 2003, 14:50

Keith, it's worth giving Jan at Nautequip 01299251005 a ring, I think she still has some good prices from the Boat Show.

John

Mike B · 06 October 2003, 15:41

Keith

I went for the Standard Horizon HX260E about 12 months ago and have had no problems whatsoever despite a couple of total dunkings.

Does everything I want to do anyway - I got it from MES www.mesltd.co.uk £149

Cheers

Mike