whats your marine radio?

what radio do U have? how long have u had it? mine just took a crap(standard horizon HX290) still work ok even after going for a swim? mine did not until thoroughly dried. also the control switch started doing odd things ....if i turned it on lightly sound was low turned it on hard louder. now won`t even turn on, thus the need for a new one.

I have this one and it has worked great for me for a few years. It gets wet a lot to include me hitting it with the hose after being out on the salt. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/standard-horizon--hx40-ultra-compact-6w-handheld-vhf-radio--19089234?recordNum=6  Currently $99 and a mail in rebate. I may pick up a spare tomorrow to have in case someone shows up to the ORC with a non-functioning radio.

After my old Uniden started to fade after 8 years, I bought the Uniden MSH75. I've only used it for about six months, but so far, I've been happy with it.

I've had a Horizon HX870S for 9 years. Has worked great clipped to my PFD. Been fully immersed a number of times during re-entry practice, and wet most of the time when on the water. MMSI compliant.

Ended up with a Standard Horizon HX890.  Fits great in the NRS Chinook Offshore PFD pocket and is a grand companion on the water.

I've used a Standard Horizon HX870 for six years, no problems.  Bought a HX40 for my Granddaughter - because it has an FM radio receiver and she's a Millennial and that seems to be important to those folks - and it's been flawless.

If I ever need to replace mine, I'll go with a slightly smaller Standard Horizon or ICOM unit because the HX870 and HX890 are big radios.

Been looking to get a new radio and gift my current one to the partner. Wondering what the opinion is on the GPS capability which seems to add $100 to the price tag? I do not tend to go out 8 miles alone so not sure about needing GPS.

Been looking to get a new radio and gift my current one to the partner. Wondering what the opinion is on the GPS capability which seems to add $100 to the price tag? I do not tend to go out 8 miles alone so not sure about needing GPS.

GPS is not needed.  You can have GPS on your phone, and or fishfinder already.

went cheap ? 100 bucks and got a uniden mhs126. came in the mail wednesday before orc, the cable for my drive too!

Been looking to get a new radio and gift my current one to the partner. Wondering what the opinion is on the GPS capability which seems to add $100 to the price tag? I do not tend to go out 8 miles alone so not sure about needing GPS.

GPS is not needed.  You can have GPS on your phone, and or fishfinder already.

I think you're under-thinking this one.  One can never have too many GPS units when one is in the fog.   

Been looking to get a new radio and gift my current one to the partner. Wondering what the opinion is on the GPS capability which seems to add $100 to the price tag? I do not tend to go out 8 miles alone so not sure about needing GPS.

GPS is not needed.  You can have GPS on your phone, and or fishfinder already.

I think you're under-thinking this one.  One can never have too many GPS units when one is in the fog.   

I am a fan of the simple low tech compass if both my phone and fishfinder GPS fail.  If both of those are not working, then it may be a sign that the aliens have knocked out all our satellites. I have found that in the continental U.S., other than when in the Atlantic ocean, if you just head west, you will find land in a reasonable amount of time (other than the Great lakes, but I do not fish there). The sun is the back-up to my compass. If that no longer is functioning, we are all truly f@#ked.

Uh, Craig, if one heads West, the first land they're going to find - if they're lucky - is Japan.  Go East, young man.  Go East.   

I thought I had read that if it is in your radio and you hail the Coast Guard they get your coordinates from the radio. A bit hard to read them to the CG from my phone or fish finder. My Hook2 5 would do a fine job of getting me back to the beach. I have a way point on the beach in PC and hole in DB. Have not had to use them, so not 100% confident that is the answer.

DSC  (Distress Signal Calling) is the feature when activated on a marine radio allows the Coast Guard to know your position.  It also gets communicated to other DSC enabled vessels so even if the CG is not closest, another vessel can assist in the distress.  DSC is only possible in radios that have GPS coordinates to automatically send location info during distress.  The GPS function is still useful for marine radios even when not in distress.  It can help you find a buddy when you are not in visible range, It can help you navigate in the fog, and it can help you estimate distances/directions and improve your navigation skills.  I have a Standard Horizon HX851 which has GPS and DSC, it's waterproof and floating.  I use my handheld VHF for kayaking and power boating on ocean, lakes and rivers.

Been looking to get a new radio and gift my current one to the partner. Wondering what the opinion is on the GPS capability which seems to add $100 to the price tag? I do not tend to go out 8 miles alone so not sure about needing GPS.

GPS is not needed.  You can have GPS on your phone, and or fishfinder already.

I think you're under-thinking this one.  One can never have too many GPS units when one is in the fog.   

I have a non-electronic compass on my hatch, my phone, and my Fishfinder both with GPS features.  Having GPS on the VHF isn't entirely necessary (even though I do).