what color radio

[Broadside]

Having fished the wounded warrior event I realize how good it is to have a fixed VHF radio. I have the model worked out, just trying to figure out if I should get white or black. It's gonna be sitting on top of my Sea Pro's center console, right next to the Humminbird. What color would you go with?

[bigdav]

Originally Posted by Broadside

Having fished the wounded warrior event I realize how good it is to have a fixed VHF radio. I have the model worked out, just trying to figure out if I should get white or black. It's gonna be sitting on top of my Sea Pro's center console, right next to the Humminbird. What color would you go with?

I would go with the darker color, it won't stick out like a sore thumb. JMHO Keep in mind the antenna is the key to good reception. You can spend more on a quality antenna and mount that the radio cost.. The Shakespeare Galaxy antennas are 100% quality in my book but they are proud of them.

[Baitnwait]

It might not make a difference, but if it is out in the open black will get hotter in the sun than white. Excess heat will shorten the life span of some electronics. Just a thought.

[River Lizard]

Originally Posted by Baitnwait

It might not make a difference, but if it is out in the open black will get hotter in the sun than white. Excess heat will shorten the life span of some electronics. Just a thought.

I agree! I'd say white also. My antenna and mounting bracket cost just as much as my radio did, as David mentioned. I think I paid around 115. for my VHF and paid around 110. for the antenna and S/S folding mounting bracket. Love my radio and how much distance I can get with it...as David can confirm. Don't get a short one, go with an 8 ft or you'll regret it later on, I know I did. I purchased a small 3 ft. so it wouldn't get in the way, when I had my 17' Fisher Hawk. When I upgraded my boat to my current pontoon and started really using the radio, I couldn't communicate with anyone that was over a mile or so from my pontoon. It sucked, but now I don't have a problem talking to someone 10 miles away! And in the winter time, on those lonely days of fishin' when no one else hardly comes out due to the temperature, it's nice to know that you have good range with your VHF so if you're having boat problems, you might be able to get a hold of someone on the river to help.
Definitely study the VHF/FCC guidelines for Channel use, some channels are off limits, others are for emergency use only, these channels are monitored by the US Coast guard out of Norfolk.
If I'm reporting a non-emergency such as a channel marker being out, I'll report it on Channel 22 it's like their non-emergency channel while Channel 16 is for emergencies.
Reporting channel markers: You need the number off the channel marker and the GPS location. If you don't have GPS, it's going to be tough to explain to them the location (trust me...been there and done that) they have a map in front of them with no markings for: roads, parks, etc... it only shows water-ways: creeks, rivers, etc.. it took me 3 days to finally get someone from the US Coast guard to know which marker that was out when I reported one upriver from jimmy Dean's. I finally had to talk directly with the service/repair department for USCG for that section of the river. So get the readout on GPS before calling to report it.
Please report ALL channel markers that are not functioning, you could be saving someone's life by doing so.

[Broadside]

I'll have to think about the antenna more, if I get an 8' there's no way I could fold it down and still fish. I'm planning on mounting on my console's bar, there's no place else I can mount it and get a good plane surface anyway.
I do miss having a good radio! I have a little handheld that doesn't give me much range right now. When I was offshore the radio was great for finding out where the fish were, it was way more important than the fishfinder, the tuna schools were always on the move and you could tell by the "holly cow they're everywhere!!!" where you needed to head!
I'm getting a DSC radio and hooking it to my fishfinder for GPS, so I'll have a good way of giving my coordinates, can even share it with other vessels. It'll be nice to be able to chat with other boats, when I'm flying almost every channel is used by some airport or center and you can't use cell phones. I wonder if radios are used much on the Potomac though...

[Broadside]

Well the radio is still in the mail, but I got the antenna installed. I went with the 8' filtered Galaxy in black. I hope I don't forget to put it down sometime since I go under a 12' bridge on the way to Aquia! I mounted it on the center console rail so I hope it has enough range that all the folks on the Potomac can reach me!
I'll have a MMSI number soon if you want to add me to your DSC directory send me a PM.

[Broadside]

Got the radio installed just in time for the big freeze!
I have hooked it up to the GPS in the fishfinder so I can transmit my position to other boats that have my MMSI.