Lowrance Link 8 DSC fixed VHF

[SteveHall]

Was all very hush hush - and I dont know why they hide all the information from customers?

I am yet to use it out on the water, but so far for the quality of the product and the ease of set-up it gets 10/10! Just set it up to get GPS from the network and bino it all popped up. The only thing I have found so far that I don't like is that the screen brightness doesn't dim along with the other N2K equipment.

I also really like the speaker in the fist mic - when its windy and wet you can hold it upto your ear!


I just want to go somewhere really busy now and see how the HDS work when busy, as where I tested the unit there were only a few AIS targets around.

Oh and I need to see if it actually tx/rx routine VHF calls.


The photo highlights that I really need to sort out the old CD player / radio now..

[Ovey]

Woohoo! My replacment Link 8 has just been dispatched! Looks like I'll be fitting it later this week.

[SteveHall]

I cant wait to get out and test mine next week. Only seen AIS targets on it and the odd bit of broken voice traffic - Need to check its all fully working.

[Ovey]

I'm going to test mine on the drive from my handheld, but other than that I'll have to wait til I next get out to fully test it - not sure when that'll be now as the wife has a new job that includes weekend working and I also have rugby to try to fit in. Hopefully it'll be soon!

[SteveHall]

How are we supposed to test them these days? I know the CG don't really like chit chat and radio checks any more, but in the north west where the boating can be a little lonely over winter weekends you dont always find anyone to chat with...

I suppose now I can use my AIS to send a routine call to another ship - but other than that?

Has any done any test DSC calls?


Aberdeen 00232 0004
Belfast 00232 0021
Brixham 00232 0013
Clyde 00232 0022
Dover 00232 0010
Falmouth 00232 0014
Forth 00232 0005
Holyhead 00232 0018
Humber 00232 0007
Liverpool 00232 0019
Milford Haven 00232 0017
Portland 00232 0012
Shetland 00232 0001
Solent 00232 0011
Stornoway 00232 0024
Swansea 00232 0016
Thames 00232 0009
Yarmouth 00232 0008

[ShinyShoe]

You've got a whole list of choices for testing and a whole load a bits you might wanna test.

DSC test call to a shore station is a darned good start. That proves the DSC Tx & Rx, uses virtually no air time, is automated. Familiarises with the kit.

Call to NCI on 65 would be good but not sure what u have in NW. NCI website will confirm.

Call to marina / harbour

Call to another boat

Call to handheld

Call to CG, but does it need to be 'radio check' why not call on 16, pro word Routine Traffic and be moved to 67, then file a passage plan? Radio check done in disguise. Or DSC call them and they will go 67.

Beware of close distance tests. You won't know if poor antenna connx.

You could also use a position request to another vessel but not all respond does that mean ur not working or they don't auto reply...

Only thing DSC test and being on to hear MSI hasn't confirmed is your mike works. On HH test you will know that. All dots joined...

But to be fair NW probably far less issue with checks than the bottom of the earth...

[Ovey]

It would seem me and the Lowrance Link 8 are destined never to work together!!

My wife went home at lunchtime to find that Hermes parcel delivery service saw fit to throw the cardboard box containing the radio over my 6' fence into the back garden this morning! Needless to say the cardboard disintegrated in the heavy rain and my 4 dogs soon chewed the packaging, components, radio and cables to oblivion! All my neighbours were in, there's an alcove at the front of the house, and signs on the fence to warn of dogs! Needless to say Hermes said it was nothing to do with them and I have to contact Amazon!!

To be fair, Amazon were fantastic and have placed another order for a replacement (third) radio. Let's hope they don't use Hermes to deliver again!

[SteveHall]

Thats really bad! (Any photos?) When I got my 2 HDS units, various cables and a few other bits they left the box in our blue bin (paper bin) and we didnt find the card for a few days as it had some how gone under the matt. If it had been bin day I wouldn't of known they were in there. That would of been one expensive bin load.

I will be out with mine next weekend - and cant wait to give it a test and see the AIS targets!

I will get some photos

[Ovey]

No, no photos. My wife went home at lunchtime and found the card stuffed through the door to say "in back garden" and went out to find the remains. I've not been home yet. Needless to say I was/am livid.

But - third time lucky when the next one arrives!!

[Ovey]

I think it'll be ok with some masking tape! ;-)


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[willk]

You'll have to excuse my ignorance (I've never used a private address for parcel deliveries) but how are courier outfits supposed to deliver to unoccupied houses? Are they supposed to leave a message for you to go to the depot and collect or how does it work?

[Ovey]

Most of them either deliver to a neighbour or return it to the depot for another delivery/arrange collection - either way they put a card through the door to say what they've done & add a contact number for any alternative arrangements to be made.

The "over side gate" card is a bit off as its a 6' fence that they can't get in so it had to have been dropped/thrown over.


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[ShinyShoe]

Some of them now deliver to a local shop to let you collect...

[Ovey]

Woohoo!! The radio turned up today. It's now fitted, connected to the N2K network & receiving GPS data from the plotter. Oh yeah, it lets me talk to the handheld too!


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[SteveHall]

👍 whoop! 👍

[SteveHall]

Originally Posted by Ovey

Woohoo!! The radio turned up today. It's now fitted, connected to the N2K network & receiving GPS data from the plotter. Oh yeah, it lets me talk to the handheld too!


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

Have you used yours out on the water yet?

Used mine last weekend, and found it worked well, but the menus are strange - as it's not Icom.

Kept getting AIS alarms on the unit, but didn't investigate what they were so will have to have a play next time I'm out.

Only issue I found is we kept moving from our working channel - not sure if that was crew knocking the big dial or the momentum of the rib bouncing about. I've asked them if it's possible to lock the keypad, but unfortunately not

I want to add the loud hailer though now - be so much better for shouting at the crew.

[Ovey]

No, I've not been out for a couple of weeks - the wife's changed jobs, all four of us have been ill at various times and the weather hasn't been that great in-between it all! I can't wait to get out though. I'll have to see if the channel changes or whether it is a case of it getting knocked. I have proven my GPS through to the radio, but need an AIS track to prove that goes through to the plotter. Hopefully I'll get the chance soon.

[Phil M]

I've just ordered a Link 8 which should arrive in the next few days and will hopefully talk to my Echomap 50 DV plotter (I'm fitting a lot of new kit at the moment ).

As we get a lot of deliveries, we bought and fitted a Parcel Safe, which is a big steel box bolted to the wall next to the back door. It has a lock on it which can be locked without a key so delivery drivers place the parcel in and lock the box. The safe will take stuff up to about double shoe box. Most of our local guys are very good now and use it. We still get the odd delivery drop, including one in a bin . I'll organise to be home when the new engine comes though.

Phil M

[SteveHall]

Phil, Let us all know how you get on with you get the unit installed.

I really think the unit would benefit from a key pad lock with it having such a big dial - and if enough people think the same perhaps we could suggest it in a future software update.

[SteveHall]

Just wanted to restart this old thread to see how the Link 8 users have been getting on with the channel dial? Anyone else find that they keep changing channel when out on the water and would benefit from a keypad lock?

This is the only thing that I don't like!