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VHF Replacement
- Thread starter Idocdes
- Start date
I just installed the Raymarine Ray54 on my boat to replace my older unit and I really like it. It's waterproof, and it hooks into my GPS so that you can send an distress call to the CG with your coordinates by just pushing the distress button (obviously for use if you don't have time to talk!). It didn't fit in the orginal cut out in the fiberglass though so my marina had to make a mounting sleeve for it. Doesn't look bad though.
You don't need to spend a ton of money to get a good reliable radio. Pick a radio that has the bells and whistles YOU want and not more. Even a very cheap radio will work well. What is more important is the VHF antenna you use. Replace the old one at the same time. Make sure you get a high quality one; here cost does matter. The coax needs to be shielded and have a drain wire which is soldered to the connector. Then make sure the coax is connected properly to the VHF. Don't bother with those "solderless" connectors. They will not give you a good connection and your radio will not be reliable. Be sure to solder the connector 360 degrees without voids.
I have a Ray 54. It's almost 2 years old and the communication between the GPS and the VHF stopped working. After verifying that it was indeed the VHF, I sent it back to Raymarine (came with a 3 year warrantee). Got a new one 2 weeks later and I'm back in business! Gotta love product support!
quote:
Originally posted by Bliss
I go to lots of b shows and see some really "neat" etronics. I stick w/ Raymarine because of their New Hampshire support and repair people.
I "third" that! Raymarine service is really head-and-shoulders above anything else I have experienced. They really standby their product.