VHF radios ... again

After having my West Marine VHF55 crap out on me on the Black Pearl trip, I'm in the market for a new VHF radio.  I had the VHF50 model for a solid 4+ years before it crapped out me.  I worked it hard during this time and was quite satisfied with it.  Then I bought a couple of VHF55's hoping for a similar performance.  One crapped out up in AK this summer (transmit died, I could hear the others, but couldn't transmit to them) and the other is now dead too (it kept shutting off on me for no apparent reason)... after not quite 2 years of use.  I can't live with this performance so am planning on switching vendors.  I'm somewhat disappointed with what I got out of the 55's.

I have a few features I feel are "must haves".  One is a compact size that fits comfortable in the pockets of the types of PFD's you see on the market currently.  Another consideration I'm thinking of is one that can work with a AA battery source (the 50/55's did not support this).  This helps in the multi-day trips I like to do.  AA batteries are easy to work with as I'd already have a supply for my GPS and headlamp.  I'd probably switch to a AA battery pack for my FF.  I can buy a supply of AA's wherever I go instead of packing a heavy 7Ah gel cell on a plane.  I know that's not too green ... but it's convenient.  For local use, I'd use rechargeable AA's.

Thoughts on what to consider?

-Allen

Check out the Icoms IC-M34 or IC-M36.  I have an Icom IC-M34 and have no complaints. Its compact enough for me (about 2 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches), its also a submerseable unit and it floats.  You can by an optional battery case insert which allows you to use disposable batteries but I think it is for AAA batteries.   

Thanks kykfshr.  I checked, it is AAA.

An interesting tidbit about these.  The M034 has a transmit power up to 6 Watts, which is more than the standard 5 watts of most handhelds.  However, check the fine print, when using the AAA alkaline batteries, the transmit power is limited to 2 Watts.  That won't work for me as I want to be able to transmit with the highest possible power in case of emergency.

I did a little checking.  AA Alkaline batteries have been shown to produce a peak of 3.75W of power.  So even AA's are limiting max power transmit.  I checked the ratings and numbers and this makes complete sense to me.

I will check out the M88 as it has twice the operating time as the M34/36.  It's also $100 more.  I guess you pay for what you get.  The talk time on the M88 is rated a 15 hours assuming 5% TX, 5% RX and 90% standby at full transmit power.  I'll have to dig up the VHF50 ratings and compare them to the ICOM's to get a better sense what the talk time would be for the way I use them.

I guess I'll just have to be more mindful of battery saving techniques.  With my old ones, I used to be able to get 3-4 days of limited use (not a lot of chatter).  Some things that can be done to extend this are:
   1) Set the TX power to low when out kayak fishing.  Most of the time everyone is close enough.  Only switch to hi when needed.
   2) Use of an earbud speaker.  The intergrated speaker probably draws a few hundred mW of power.  An earbud speaker probably draws 10's of mW of power.

Did I mention to you all that I design chips that drive speakers in cell phones.  I know a thing or 2 about battery usage.     Maybe I'll write an article on this once I gather a bit more info.

-Allen

My Uniden Atlantis 250 may fit the bill...  my only reservations may be the size of the unit and the fact it doesn't float.  Aside from those two attributes, the unit performs well across the board.  Straight out of the box you have the option of running AA's or a rechargable NiMH power pack.

Allen,

  You could always design a new GPS/Fish Finder/VHF Radio with Bluetooth headset!   

Was that Deja Vu, or what?   

YotF

Allen,

  You could always design a new GPS/Fish Finder/VHF Radio with Bluetooth headset!   

Was that Deja Vu, or what?   

YotF

Didn't we have a drunken conversation about this up in AK?   

Standard Horizon has a BT VHF ... http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=EA7E68939727CAF93AC08E257DADFEC2&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

They also have a GPS VHF ...http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=85&encProdID=DB09EE62D98A27B5C8942B922E30709C&DivisionID=3&isArchived=0

It's only a matter of time before they have the BT GPS VHF.

-Allen

My Uniden Atlantis 250 may fit the bill...  my only reservations may be the size of the unit and the fact it doesn't float.  Aside from those two attributes, the unit performs well across the board.  Straight out of the box you have the option of running AA's or a rechargable NiMH power pack.

I'm going to remove the AA strong requirement and make it a nice to have.  I don't like the transmit power limitations associated with it.

I'm going to relax the compact size requirement as well.  There is a direct correlation of size to battery life.  Bigger batteries fit in bigger units.

Maybe my real requirements are 1) long battery life and 2) high transmit power (minimum 5, but 6 is nice).

The M72 supports 6W transmit and has twice the battery life of the 34/36.  M88-IS has more battery life, but is limited to 5W.  The non-IS version of the M88 has less battery life than the IS version, not sure why as all the other specs (besides IS) are exactly the same. The M88 are more compact than the M72

Do I really need 6?  Not really.  I'll just climb a tree or paddle an extra mile if I need slightly more range.

Tradeoffs.  Tradeoffs.

I think I have a good handle on the Icom line now, time to move on to the others.

-Allen

-Allen

Straight pimpin'

Uniden Mystic


JIS7 Submersible - This radio has been designed to meet the stringent JIS7 submersible specification of submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes with no water intrusion.

Full Screen Mapping GPS

DSC (Digital Selective Calling) - Including Distress Button, Position Send and Request. Gives you the ability to press one button to call for help during an emergency. Full Class D DSC capability. High performance transceiver ensures clear communication and helps prevent and reject interference.

Large Data Display Screens

Full Navigation Screens

Calling Party Position Indication

Satellite Status Screen

Compass Screen

PC Interface for Uploading and Downloading Map Information

S.A.M.E. WX

Triple Watch Plus™ - Allows you to monitor emergency channel 16 and 9, another user selectable channel plus weather alert.

Memory Scan - Allows you to scan all channels saved in memory.

All USA/International and Canadian Marine Channels - Covers all USA, International & Canadian marine channels keeping you up-to-date with all the latest marine activity.

Lithium-Ion Battery

Drop-In Charger with Dataport

Swivel Belt Clip

3 Year Water Protection Warranty - The MYSTIC establishes a high level of quality and performance in marine radios. Our warranty covers all manufactured parts and service, even water intrusion.

Magellan MapSend CD Included

Orrrrr,,,,

You could go with three of these cheap SUBMERSIBLES and have a couple of backups. I got one and it works great.

BTW: If you really want to extend your range get an external antennae and put it at the end of your paddle.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=420054&pdesc=Cobra_HH300_Handheld_VHF_Radio&merchID=4005&str=hh300

I use my gear on multi-day trips to the way outbach where your radio may be your only link to getting help.  So I really need to be able to count on it not crapping out.  So the cheap option is not an option to me.

I was thinking about the external antenna option, but haven't really started looking into it.  If you do it right, you really need to have it tuned correctly to your transmitter ... antenna characteristics and coax length come into play.  It is something I'll keep in mind when looking for a radio.

One other tidbit of info.  I was once in a West Marine looking at radios and it happened that the corporate "VHF tester" was in the store.  He told me that no VHF, no matter how waterproof they claim to be, will hold up to being waterproof day in and day out.  He had personally tested all of the ones WM carried and NONE of them held up for the long term.  The JIS standard is only 30 minutes submersion at 1m.  That really isn't much.  So if you really care about the radio, bag it up.  I'm guilty of not doing that sometimes only out of pure laziness (well, slight ease of use issues as well).

I'm such a nerd.  I'm probably overthinking all of this but I kind of like doing it.  Hopefully I'll keep good notes and post something newsworthy on my selection process.

-Allen

If you go the external mounted antenna route you could always get one othe ones that fold down when not in use or for surf launches.  If you mount it towards the back on the opposite side of your casting arm you should be fine.

If you go the external mounted antenna route you could always get one othe ones that fold down when not in use or for surf launches.  If you mount it towards the back on the opposite side of your casting arm you should be fine.

Actually, now that I think about it, I may just be able to get away with a tuned/matched piece of coax and use the existing antenna mounted to a fishing rod or a paddle.  A few feet of height off the water makes all the difference in the world.

-Allen

I may just be able to get away with a tuned/matched piece of coax

I would be interested in knowing how you tune/match the cable to the radio.  I have a biology background so I have no clueless in this matter.  Maybe if i read the owners manual it would help.  However, that would be like asking for directions when I'm lost. 

-Craig

Allen,

  You could always design a new GPS/Fish Finder/VHF Radio with Bluetooth headset!   

Was that Deja Vu, or what?   

YotF

Didn't we have a drunken conversation about this up in AK?   
It's only a matter of time before they have the BT GPS VHF.

-Allen

Yep, that is it...   

I may just be able to get away with a tuned/matched piece of coax

I would be interested in knowing how you tune/match the cable to the radio.  I have a biology background so I have no clueless in this matter.  Maybe if i read the owners manual it would help.  However, that would be like asking for directions when I'm lost. 

-Craig

Did a little Googling today ... check here ... http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/2358/e_electrical_tips/e10.html

There are good instructions as to how to make a cheap dipole antenna out of coax cable.

Also regarding tuning/matching:

The balanced 50 ohm impedance of the dipole should really be matched to the unbalanced impedance of the radio using a balun transformer.  This is not as important for receiving as it is for transmitting.  The mismatch without the transformer will degrade the performance a little as it will reduce the overall sensitivity.

Note that it says it will only degrade performance a little if not balanced.

Note: this is not something I would be looking at to use on a regular basis.  But I'd like to have this in my safety bag when out on  multi-day trips.

Also I've found a lot of info that holding a handheld antenna closer to your body diminishes the capability of the radio.  I always put the radio in my PFD pocket, but I guess that would be sub optimal.

-Allen