27mhz or vhf

[griz066]

Looking to buy marine radio.

What do you all suggest I buy a 27mhz or a vhf?

What is the difference?

What brands to buy?

What brands NOT to buy?

[finding_time]

VHF!!!!


Better range and clarity

Ian

Ps. Any GME i've had anything to do with has had longevity problems

[MulletMan]

BOTH!
BOTH!
BOTH!
Why sacrifice safety for a few hundred bucks!
Boaties tend to cut back on the comms and spend $$$$$$$$ on other stuff.
When you need help, it is comforting to know you have good marine radios on board.
GME are a bit sus but if you want to lash out try ICOM.
Not cheap but brilliant stuff.
Someone told me that GME also market UNIDEN so wouldn't go there either!

[Black_Jack]

I would agree with the PP BOTH.

[FishOn]

I agree both, even if you do not venture far offshore/inshore. I also carry a waterproof handheld VHF in the grab bag. Because what will you do if you have no power or have to leave the boat.

Get one of the DSC capable VHF's as well.

Boating is not the same as driving a car - you cannot just pull over to the side of the road. When thing go wrong they can often have terrible consequences. For the sake of a few hundred dollars, I do not want to find myself, or the crew, in the water (or some other adverse situation) saying darn 'I wish I would have spent that extra money'.

Even this morning before any light was up (very dark with the cloud cover) we came across an anchored sail boat without any lights and moored too far into the passageway - Yetch!

Kind regards
Trevor

[Darren_R]

Everybody is wright. You have to go VHF. 27 meg is ancient and useless. Dsc is the way to go but is will cost you some bucks. It is basically marine radio text messaging, but there is not a lot of choice in those units yet as it is only new technology. You will need an MROCP licence to operate your VHf but thats no big deal. (Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency).

[revs57]

I've got both Griz...some of my mates don't have vhf so I can still talk to them,

but VHF is the go for long range off shore

Cheers

Rhys

[steveg1100]

Definately get a VHF and for about $99 you should also pickup a 27MHz as well its better to be safe.

[MulletMan]

............................. and remember that the aerials cost extra!
About $65 for 27 MHz and around the $75-100 for the VHF; but don't get a cheapie as this is the heart of all radios!