Handheld or mounted VHF?

[tcwozere]

It maybe an idea to give them a call, I bought mine from the shop just before Christmas.. It may have been a short lived promotion, or a shop only offer..

[MarkWildey]

The best thing you can do when going for a cheap'ish h/h is to buy a Auqapac bag ( www.aquaman.co.uk ). Have used their products for years ( phones / VHF / video ), and touch wood, they have never let me down.

As it happens I have a ICOM M1 and a fixed ICOM on my boat and they have worked very well for years.

Regards

Mark

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

.....I always go with the majority voice not the lone wolfe! .....

Sheep?

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

I always go with...

Originally Posted by jwalker

Sheep

Err, umm, wasn't this a question about VHF?!?

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Err, umm, wasn't this a question about VHF?!?

Dam Richard! you have worked out my secret!

The Entel free mic and case was a promotion they offered for Southampton Boat show.
Was not on offer for London.

As some have said there is some great kit on the market at the moment.
There is also a fair bit of not so good kit.

Most of the not so good kit is being looked into by the MCA.
Mainly because it does not meet type approval and had "bits" missing.

I would suggest avoiding anything too cheap.
There is nomally a reason why it is so cheap.

It was wrong of me to verbally bash Stuart on here.
For that I say sorry to him and all of you for having to see it.
What ever his problem is this is not the place for me to deal with it.

Regards

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

What ever his problem is this is not the place for me to deal with it.

yorr rite yew nobbur, probubly de besstist plaice iz de sykiattric warrd att brordmorr

gArf.

[Tim M]

I've had two Silva's: both rubbish.

Got a Navman now - very nice, easy to use. Only gripe for me is that mine is installed below my eye level - the LCD is a little hard to see at this level - it works better the higher up the console you put it (in relation to your eyes).

[Neil R]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

"Your radio is your life line, look after them.
Clean them, hose them down (if waterproof) carry out routine checks and regreasing of knobs.

Any company worth its salt can spot neglect and abuse a million miles away.
Don't try to claim warranty if it is clear you don't look after your kit.
Don't get upset if your claims are refused if it clear it not a warranty job.

Happy ribbing

Jon, I just wondered if you'd expand on the routine checks and greasing aspect - in particular the how and what with on the latter. This isn't something I remember reading in the manual - but having experienced very-hard-to-twist knobs I'd agree something is required. I ended up using silicone spray lube which seems to have done the trick - hope that doesn't make you throw your hands up in horror!

And talk about trying to find words which helps minimise the fnaarr fnaarr element!

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Neil R

Jon, I just wondered if you'd expand on the routine checks and greasing aspect - in particular the how and what with on the latter. This isn't something I remember reading in the manual - but having experienced very-hard-to-twist knobs I'd agree something is required. I ended up using silicone spray lube which seems to have done the trick - hope that doesn't make you throw your hands up in horror!

And talk about trying to find words which helps minimise the fnaarr fnaarr element!

Hi Neil

Silicon grease is ideal.
Just pull the knobs off clean and grease the shaft.
This is not something you need to do every week but once every few months will be great.

The sniffness is normally due to the build up of dried out sea water.

If you flush the radio with fresh water after each use will keep the build up down as well.
For hand helds run them under a cold water tap after use.

I hope that helps.

Regards

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

For hand helds run them under a cold water tap after use.

i av jus dun diss wiv mi IMOC M3. itt iz noww ful ov fkin worter

dats de lasst fkin tyme i foloww de manyewfakturers instrukshuns.

gArf

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by The Garfish

i av jus dun diss wiv mi IMOC M3. itt iz noww ful ov fkin worter

dats de lasst fkin tyme i foloww de manyewfakturers instrukshuns.

gArf

Yeah nice one Garf you knobber!!!
As you have just found out the M3 is not waterproof!

Regards

[Neil R]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

Hi Neil

Silicon grease is ideal.
Just pull the knobs off clean and grease the shaft.
This is not something you need to do every week but once every few months will be great.

The sniffness is normally due to the build up of dried out sea water.

If you flush the radio with fresh water after each use will keep the build up down as well.
For hand helds run them under a cold water tap after use.

I hope that helps.

Regards

Thanks for the reply Jon - very helpful.

[Swifty]

To side track slightly and go back to the question of good or bad 'uns.

I have a cobra fixed DSC/VHF.

Good points:
1) cheap
2) waterproof
3) ease of installation (small size)
4) fist mic/speaker for use while motoring (hold it near your ear)

Not so good points:
1) Not watertight (misting).
2) Internal speaker not powerful enough (its on the fist mic).
3) Mic sensitive to wind noise.
4) Speaker fills with water and has to be shaken out before use.
5) Only 10 MMSI memories.
6) Not able to directly type in an arbitary MMSI, it has to be stored first.
7) Distress switch cover keeps falling off.
8) Buttons on fist mic for channel up/down easily pressed by accident. (have now disabled these switches)

If I had been able to trial it, I would have saved up and bought an Icom or Navman.

For hand held I have an Icom ICM1 euro. Only critiscism is the battery contacts rot and the niCads have perished as well, though it is a few years old now. Replacement battery from Icom £90 . Brand new radio £128 .!!!!! Could I buy a radio, charger, power lead and dry cell adaptor for £38 please.

I dont mind paying out for realistically priced spares, but... Even RS can do the cells for around £20. So a price of around £40 for a battery pack is a much more sensible price.Maybe Jon can answer why replacements bits are so expensive whereas I can get the whole package for a little more.

Over to you Jon .


Tim'mers.

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

As you have just found out the M3 is not waterproof!

orl rite den eyll ammend yorr horijinul powst

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

For hand helds run them under a cold water tap after use orl eksept de M3 wich aynt fkin worter prewf

i fink dat diss iz a cunninng sayls ployy. bruksy tels yew to dipp yorr fkin raydio inn de worter an den itts fukt sow yoov gotta gow an by a noo wan

i wil bee in tuch wiv iz sooperiers

gArf

[Jon Brooks]

Swifty

I had heard that there is no Distress menu on that unit either.
i.e. you can not select the nature of your Distress.

As far as the batteries for the M1Euro go:-
BP185 (as supplied) £31.20 + VAT
BP186 (High capacity) £38.40 + VAT.

There is no dry cell option for that radio.

Not sure why you were charged £90! seems a bit OTT.
Where did you buy it from?

Ni-cad batteries on average last about 2 years.
If well looked after longer, if not shorter.

Regards

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by The Garfish

orl rite den eyll ammend yorr horijinul powst
i fink dat diss iz a cunninng sayls ployy. bruksy tels yew to dipp yorr fkin raydio inn de worter an den itts fukt sow yoov gotta gow an by a noo wan

i wil bee in tuch wiv iz sooperiers

gArf

hif diss waz the kaze I ham shure mi sooperiers wud bee ferry appy!

Regards

[Swifty]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

I had heard that there is no Distress menu on that unit either.
i.e. you can not select the nature of your Distress.

Oh yes and that as well.

As for the batteries thats more like it. The price was quoted to me at the LIBS a couple of years ago. Maybe it was a sales technique to make me buy a new 'un.

I will PM you and order one.
Many thanks.
Tim'mers.

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Swifty

Oh yes and that as well.

As for the batteries thats more like it. The price was quoted to me at the LIBS a couple of years ago. Maybe it was a sales technique to make me buy a new 'un.

I will PM you and order one.
Many thanks.
Tim'mers.

Swifty

We don't do direct sales.
Any of our dealers will be able to supply you.
You might try The Dinghy Store.

Regards

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

mi sooperiers wud bee ferry appy!

dat rowgskracher eemayled mee an sed hee ad a problum wiv iz IMOC an didd i noe hoo yorr sooperiers waz.

i sed yus i doo. evverboddy wiv a QI abuv tenn

gArf

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Neil R

And talk about trying to find words which helps minimise the fnaarr fnaarr element!

Is that part of the Antenna?