Conference vicki::boats

    
    ICOM is generally regarded as the number 1 VHF radio, and their
    top of the line models consistently come out on top in most
    comparisons done by the various boating mags.
    
    From the 1989 BOAT/US catalog:
    
    ICOM IC-M8 handheld  $294.50
    70 channel capability, all weather channels
    broadcasts at 1 & 3 watts
    Ch. 16 priority
    24 ch. memory
                                               
    ICOM IC-M11  $395.00
    83 channel capabilty w/expansion
    Water resistant
    Broadcasts at 6 watts
    24 ch. memory
    Scanning capability
    All weather channels
    LCD display
    
    Rick W.
    
    (My VHF is from the the other end of the spectrum, a Ray Jefferson
     model 789 for $169.    Cheap but it works.)
                                               

    Let me echo the vote for Icom as #1. I received the M11 from Santa
    and it is a superior radio. I am planning on installing 2 additional
    Icoms on my soon to arrive 31'. They are not inexpensive, but they
    are always rated tops. This is a clear case of you get what you
    pay for.
    
    Fred Smith
    

re .0:

Range depends much more on how high the antenna is above the water than 
on transmitter output power. You might get only a mile or two range with 
the antenna 5' above the water. If you're considering a handheld VHF as 
your only VHF, I'd advise against it. The battery life of a handheld on 5W
output is short -- maybe a quarter hour. 

I have an ICOM M11 and highly recommend it.  I has a number of easy to use 
features i.e. 

	dual/tri watch - the ability to monitor ch 16 and 1 or 2 selectable
			 channels
	20 station programmable scan
	full scan of all channels
	the ability to lock-out any channels

All of this and 6 watts.  By the way I paid $358 from Neptune Marine.  The 
number is somewhere else in the notesfile.

I do agree with other comment regarding not using hand-held as a primary. 

re: extracted from "Note 321.4";  CME's for 1989 by CSMET2::CHACE(Kenny)
    
    >> One thing that I just found out about VHF radios that you may
    >> find interesting; is illegal to use that VHF radio on dry land!
    >> It requires a VERY special permit to use those VHF radios on land.
   
    I assume you're reffering to 'marine band VHF' and yes I believe
    it is against FCC regulations to transmit say....from my house to
    yours using the marine VHF.  But what about transmitting say...from
    my boat in the river (mouth of the Merrimac) to my home where the
    handheld is. Does anyone know if this transmission is acceptable
    within FCC guidelines.?? Can the transmission still be considered
    'ship-to-shore' even though the shore (my home) may be 1 mile inland?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   re: .4 >> By the way I paid $358 from Neptune Marine. The number is
             somewhere else in the notesfile.
  
    Since KEYWORDS are unavailable in this file can someone point a
    finger to the phone# and/or city/state where NEPTUNE is located.
    Is it Neptune Marine -or- Neptune Electronics...I believe I once
    had a catalog for Neptune Electronics out of N.Y. but chucked it
    as the prices didn't stand out from any other catalog I previously
    had.......But the M-11 for $358. is a BARGAIN that I wouldn't have
    passed up knowingly!
    
    /MArk
    

    
      Yes, that's exactly what I meant. You CANNOT transmit from a boat
    to ANY shore position or vice/versa - without a very special permit!
    I found this out and was interested in it because it was EXACTLY
    what I wanted to do. Oh well, now I know why boats still have CB's.
    
    					Kenny

re -.1:

Huh? I think you're somewhat mistaken. I can legally converse with any 
licensed shore station -- marine telephone operator, Coast Guard, 
boatyard, yacht club, bridge tender, etc -- using the VHF on my boat. 
What I cannot do is use my VHF from land. My boat's station license is 
valid only when the boat is afloat. A different license is required to
operate a marine VHF from shore. 

    
    
    
    
      Sooooooooo, What about that address for NEPTUNE...........!?
    
    
    
    

    
      You're right, what I meant was you couldn't call say, your wife
    at home from your boat. You can't call someone at sea from your
    boat if your boat is on blocks at the marina. It does take a special
    license to transmit marine VHF from ANY shore position.
    
    					Kenny

    I have a small boat (15 1/2' Boston Whaler) and I'm considering
    buying a VHF.  I dont want to communicate with satalites, or monitor
    police broadcasts, or talk with boaters in the next state.  I just
    want to be able to call the coast guard or the marina if things
    arent working out too well.
    
    I went to the local US/Boats or Boats/US shop and
    looked at two handheld models;  a Apelco 3 1/2watts for 150 +/-
    and a SMR w/ 5watts for 180 +/-.  The Icom models are out of my
    price range                                          [
    
    I'm confused about several things:
    
    -My boat can get pretty wet.  Assuming I buy a bracket/holder and
     keep the radio in the seatlocker, am I asking for trouble ?
     Phrased differently: just how durable are these things - does everyone
     buy a waterproof bag ?
    
    -I noticed several standard radios for app the same price (w/ ant).
     If radios are fairly water resistant, would I be better off with
     a standard model ?   Can it be mounted in the open ?  
    
    -The SMR radio had a connector which could be plugged into the boats
     cigarette lighter - assuming I had one.  This seemed like a good
     idea, but should I be concerned about power drainage ? (while running
     or when the motor is off) 
    

    Out of curiosity,..Does the applicant (for the special licence)
    have to own or be connected to a marina type of place or be connected
    to the Coast Guard (as mentioned earlier) in order for the 'special'
    licence to be granted? What are, if any, the restrictions associated
    with this type of licence? Again-Just Curious.
    
    /MArk

    
      Most of the hand-helds are fairly water resistant (call it splash
    resistant!). ANYTHING you can do to keep water off the radio is
    going to help it in the long run, especially if it's salt-water.
    Be careful of the really cheap/no-name brands they may not be as
    water resistant. Look for rubber plugs in all of the accessory holes
    and some statement about the water resistant qualities of the radio.
      You definitely do NOT have to worry about a hand-held draining
    your battery. Considering efficiencies etc. the power input to the
    radio won't be more than double the output, and using 10-12 watts
    of power is NOTHING for a starting battery. Also that would ONLY
    be when transmitting, during recieve the power consumption would
    be like 1-2 watts. 12 watts fram a 12V battery is 1 amp. 2 watts
    (which would be your approximate standby/receive power consumption)
    is only .166 amps. Under those conditions, you could probably leave
    the radio on for a couple of DAYS without noticing the difference!
    
    			Hope this helps,
    				Kenny

re .10:

As I mentioned before, antenna height greatly influences VHF range. 
Antenna type does also. The stubby antennas on handheld VHFs are not 
very efficient. This, plus the low power output, plus the low antenna 
height, will limit the range of a handheld to a very few miles (like 
maybe less than five in adverse conditions). Get a good antenna and 
mount it as high above the water as you can. 

RE:	.12

Sorry for the delay...	Neptune Trading is in Harrison, N.Y.

			Tel 800-637-0660

I purchased the ICOM M-11 last December for $358.

Carl

    I am considering the purchase of a hand-held radio for my parent's
    boat. It is a 20-foot power boat used on Lake Champlain in Vermont
    (never more than about 2 miles from shore). They both turn 70 this
    year and I wanted to get them something to use in a health or equipment
    emergency. My question is: should I get them a VHF radio or would
    a CB suffice? I know VHF is quite a bit more expensive but may be
    better in terms of who monitors, etc. Would Coast Guard (yes, they
    are on Lake Champlain) or local/State police monitor Channel 9 on
    CB ? I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on the subject.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Larry

    Larry.
    Read note #355 if you want a good deal on a handheld, we will be
    ordering this week.
    
    VHF vs. C.B. - Coast Guard does not monitor CB frequencys. They Do
    monitor ch 16 on VHF.
    Also with VHF you get weather channels.
    
    CB has a tendecy to skip signal waves on the ionisphere and bounce them
    hundreds of miles to who knows where? Not reliable for positive
    comunications.
    
    Walt