Best middle of the range fixed VHF for the RIB?

[Rokraider]

I am looking to fit a fixed VHF with DSC on my RIB. I am starting from scratch and am looking for the best middle of the range setup plus a fold down aerial, horn and remote speakers for hearing the radio on.
I have a 3 yr old Garmin 526 GPS that I plan to use for the DSC positioning. It is for use solely in the UK, I am not interested in non UK models.
I would appreciate any suggestions / advice please.

[rigi36]

ICOM M411 - can't go wrong with an Icom.

[thomas]

That's what I've got, out of interest what antenna do you use? I have a tiny whip on the arch and I never hear a thing.

[rigi36]

RibRaider

[thomas]

Yup, that's what I've got

[Rokraider]

Are the SHAKESPEARE 5225-XP 8' antenas any good?

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

Are the SHAKESPEARE 5225-XP 8' antenas any good?

Yes but on a fast RIB bouncing around they need to be supported along their length. If its just at the end it won't last very long flailing around. The conductors inside can break. Although this isn't specific to the Shakespeare, any rigid 8ft antenna should probably have additional support.

[Rokraider]

Originally Posted by captnjack

Yes but on a fast RIB bouncing around they need to be supported along their length. If its just at the end it won't last very long flailing around. The conductors inside can break. Although this isn't specific to the Shakespeare, any rigid 8ft antenna should probably have additional support.

Interesting! How do you go about supporting it along its length, without interfering with its reception?

[Nos4r2]

I've been using a bog standard Glomex for the last 2 years. No issues at all.

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

Interesting! How do you go about supporting it along its length, without interfering with its reception?

They make plastic brackets like these for just this job. An 8ft antenna flailing around on a fast boat bouncing over waves won't last long without additional support. I know everyone wants their antenna as high as possible on their a-frame, but I'd prefer to mount it on the side of the a-frame about 3ft lower. Then have a intermediate support near the top of the a-frame. So only the top 4 or 5ft of the antenna is unsupported. I happen to have a whip on my current boat, but have had 8ft fiberglass antennas in the past.

All the height and range in the world is wasted if the conductors inside the antenna aren't in good condition.

[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by maxhar

ICOM M411 - can't go wrong with an Icom.

You can actually, their marine radios are not particularly sensitive in my experience. I have a Raymarine sitting in a box up in the loft that's much better at weak-signal detection than my Icom.

However, I used to have an Icom 7800. I've never used a better radio and despite it costing £8,000 I'd probably buy another.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I've been using a bog standard Glomex for the last 2 years. No issues at all.

I have a Glomex 8 footer on the current boat on a stainless ratchet mount, still going strong after 4 seasons. I had the same setup on the last boat for 6 years without problems. I've had bad experience with similar Vtronix setups though.

[BruceB]

Not sure why you would want an 8ft long aerial, glomex make 5ft versions with stainless ferrules that are meant for fast boat/rib use.

I have had one fitted for two years now without a problem but ave been through several rib raiders.

I had a M411 but for preference now use M505's which are good radios.

[martini]

I've had several fibreglass antennas of varying lengths over the years with no trouble at all. At £40 or so who cares if it only lasts a couple of years anyway?

I've got a 2.4m Comrod on top of my a-frame at the mo, lets me chat to Solent CG from Alderney (60+nm) like I was sat in the ops room

I love Icoms as well but if you've got a Garmin plotter then buy a Garmin 200 vhf, it'll plug straight in the back of the plotter (N2k) and give you all kinds of extra functions i.e. plotting DSC alerts on the map etc. It's a perfectly good radio by itself anyway

[mister p]

Originally Posted by maxhar

ICOM M411 - can't go wrong with an Icom.

Agreed 411 is the way forward but have been reliably informed that a direct replacement/upgrade model will be available very soon.......to be seen at the London Boatshow.