One Radio or Two?

[Roger Long]

The ancient VHF that came with our boat must be replaced. The cable that connects the RAM mike on the flybridge is not compatible with any currently available radio.

Running a new cable through the very crowded conduit between the helm stations is going to be difficult. There is already a mount for a second VHF antenna and it would be quicker and simpler, and probably not much more expensive, to just have a radio at each helm station. Good from the redundancy standpoint.

But....

The radio on the sailboat I used to have was inside and I used a handheld when I needed to talk to bridges or other craft while steering. The problem was when I forgot to turn off the main radio and switched to the same channel. There would be loud squealing and feedback and I couldn't use the handheld until I reached in and turned off the main radio. This would be a much bigger deal on the powerboat if I forgot to turn off a radio when switching helm stations.

Question: Is this likely to be a problem with separate inside and flybridge radios? Any opinions as to which would be preferable, the RAM mike or dual radio setup?

 

[kchace]

It *could* be a problem, but anecdotally in my experience, it seems higher quality radios don't have that problem.

I updated my radios last year and am extremely pleased with the new Icom 506 and 195 RAM mic, but there's nothing wrong with 2 radios either.

Ken

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

I went with two iCom radios. I found it more of a convenience, but also a backup. I would run one radio on Ch 16 or VTS channel and then the other radio on ch 9 or 68 when I was cruising with friends.


Having a backup in my cruise area was great to have.

 

[Blissboat]

Roger, your thought about the benefits of redundancy is right. Two radios are better than one. In recent years, cell phones have become important backup on-board communications devices, at least for those boating on inland or near-coastal waters. Still, I always carry a fully-charged handheld VHF even on boats equipped with hard-mounted (and higher-powered) radios. There have been lots of times when the second radio came in handy, even when the main radio was working okay.

As to feedback between radios, I have had occasion to use two units (hard-mount and handheld) in the same pilothouse, on the same frequency, and can't recall ever having an issue. Maybe the squelch needs to be turned up a little, or the speaker volume down, or a bit more separation maintained between speaker and mike.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Good point on cell phones, however in the PNW and inside passage a cell phone is useless with the exception for "Drag Queen"..... shameless plug....

 

[Heron]

The ancient VHF that came with our boat must be replaced. The cable that connects the RAM mike on the flybridge is not compatible with any currently available radio.

9 pin (?) RAM setup?

I have dual RAM mikes at the upper and lower station running through a single, dual input Standard Horizon transciever. Apparently, at some point the dual unit (PS2000) was installed. I have a single input transciever (PS1000) that looks to have never been used if you want to maintain your RAM Mic set-up. These are pretty rare. It's a Phantom series PS1000 transciever (Put in the new units box shown below. Apparently no DSC on the 1000 model). I'll sell it cheap. Make me an offer!

http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=83&encProdID=8F0DDF35830D2FEDC834EB7833BE46B1&DivisionID=3&isArchived=1

 

[C lectric]

I use two mounted VHF + a handheld.
Great for tracking two channels when travelling with other boats and monitoring commercial traffic channels.

The new radio has provision for a RAM mic. but I have not seen a need for it yet. I will admit i only use the lower steering station and once in a while i get a blip when I forget to turn one down. But to me the two are worthwhile.

For many years though I used just the handheld as the second radio along with a set of earphones. This would be set to the "other" stations.

I could tell immediately which radio was yacking.

 

[Ted]

I like multiple radios. I don't use the scan features because a priority channel
can interrupt what the conversation I am having on a lesser channel.

On this boat I have 3 mounted VHFs monitoring 3 channels.
This is a down sizing from when I was commercial fishing when I also had 2 CB
radios.

No, I don't plan to add more radios. I am simplifying.(at least in that department).

Possible sign of old age???

Ted

 

[Steve]

I had a problem with the RAM mike on the Flying bridge I added a separate radio and antenna on the FB it has worked out fine.

 

[HenryD]

I would definitely install two radios. And then add two wireless handsets to work with the radios. I like having two radios on 16 and ?. The wireless handsets are handy to move around the boat and still work with the radio. I have Simrad RS90 and a Simrad RS35, with the HS35 handsets.

The portable VHF are useful when a third or forth channel is in play, and for the dinghy.

 

[BruceK]

Local electrics manufacturer GME make a VHF with a "slave" unit, which I have on the FB. Works fine, and doubles as an intercom.
We carry a handheld Uniden VHF as backup.

 

[eyschulman]

Another vote for two units. We have one at pilot and another at co pilot stations. For all the reasons mentioned above.