West Marine VHF55

I've been use the 55's and have been using the 50's before that.  Small and inexpensive ... it's a good value VHF IMO.

West Marine has them on sale for $99.99 right now ... http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/241602/10001/14968/0/0

I see them go on sale every few months.

-Allen

I had a 55 have its mic go out on the Valdez trip.  I'm starting not to like these units now, and I'm wishing I had bought the WM warrantee.

I've had a 50 and a 55 go out in the last year.  Got one more 55 still and will bring this one on my next trip.  I guess I have 2 spare batteries now from the 2 broken ones.  Anyone have a 50/55 and would like one of the spares?  I don't need 2.

-Allen

I had a 55 have its mic go out on the Valdez trip.  I'm starting not to like these units now, and I'm wishing I had bought the WM warrantee.
-Allen

Hmmm, that's not good. Is it submersible?

Supposed to be submersible.  I do have a waterproof bag for one for added protection, but didn't bring it on this trip.  For sure you know I'll be bringing it on the QCI trip

I think water was seeping in and effed up the mic.  We had a lot of rain and wet.  The mic started getting quieter and quieter until no one could hear me anymore, although I could hear all of them.

-Allen

I bought the 150. Eventhough these are submersible, when there is water covering the speaker or mic, audio quality will suffer greatly. This isn't a problem with the radio, just physics...

Jay

I don't remember which model it was, but there is at least one iCom VHF radio that has some sort of vibrate mode that shakes the water off the speakers. 

I don't remember which model it was, but there is at least one iCom VHF radio that has some sort of vibrate mode that shakes the water off the speakers. 

Nothing to get your attention like sitting out on the water and having your radio start to vibrate....

Jay