Welcome to the inaugural Best Elex Awards, which honors standout marine electronics products that have been reviewed and approved by the editorial team behind the four leading titles in marine media: Boating, Yachting, Cruising World and Salt Water Sportsman. Over the course of two months, the nominees were evaluated by our team of eight judges, including the editors-in-chief and electronics editors of the aforementioned brands. In the end, seven products set themselves apart. And the winners are:

• Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Axiom+
• Leading Edge Technology: Furuno NavNet TZTouch3 9F
• Best Integrated System: Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv
• Most Innovative for Sailing: Airmar DST 810
• Best in Entertainment: Rockford Fosgate 12-inch Color Optix M2 Subwoofers
• Most Innovative for Power: Dometic Optimus Outboard Electric Steering Actuator
• Best in Communication: Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix

Editors’ Choice: Raymarine Axiom+

Raymarine’s Axiom+ multifunction displays replace the company’s original Axiom line in 7-, 9-, and 12-inch-display models. The plus units integrate a quad-core processor, multi-channel sonar views (including RealVision 3D), and augmented-reality navigation, and include up to 16 GB of onboard data storage. All displays employ in-plane switching for better, brighter viewing along with the company’s HydroTough treatment to repel water and oils. Axiom+ models start at $749.

What the judges said: “These units have more memory than your mother-in-law. They run a multitude of apps, using an intuitive GUI ripped from a smart TV, and, thanks to WiFi, no pulling radar cable through pipework. What’s not to like?”

Leading Edge Technology: Furuno NavNet TZTouch3 9F

Furuno responded to customer requests for a smaller version of its TZTouch3 technology, introduced last February, by delivering the 9F, a 9-inch IPS display for tighter helms and second stations. The hybrid-control TZT9F features a quad-core processor, 256 GB memory card built into the system, a built-in 1kW, single-channel TruEcho CHIRP Fish Finder, and a traditional 50/200kHz RezBoost Fish Finder. The MFD comes with a PIN-code lock feature and is also compatible with a wide array of Furuno peripherals, including radar, autopilot, VHF, and black-box sonars. The TZT9F costs $2,995.

What the judges said: “This smaller version of the TZTouch3 delivers so many of the best features of its bigger brothers. The edge-swiping interface, in particular, puts all of your most-important functions within quick reach. The built-in 1 kW chirp that’s frequency agile is a big plus for anglers, as is the ability to lock the MFD with a passcode.”

Best Integrated System: Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv

Garmin’s new GPSMAP 1243xsv multifunction display surpasses its predecessor, the 1242, with edge-to-edge glass, an IPS display, higher resolution, better scanning sonar and more. Garmin says it has now brought those premium features—indicative of its 8600 series—to mid-level consumers. The 1kW chirp unit incorporates all of Garmin’s sonar capabilities such as LiveScope, SideVu, and ClearVu. The 1243 can be flush-mounted in the same space as a 1242 with a retrofit kit. The 1243xsv costs $2,899.

What the judges said: “Garmin’s new 1243xsv combines popular, SideVu, ClearVu and chirp sonar all in one device with no black boxes. In addition, they’ve upgraded the screen for brighter, sharper resolution and made the device networkable to integrate with NMEA 2000 connected engines and all other Garmin products.”

Most Innovative for Sailing: Airmar DST 810

Airmar’s DST810 Smart Multisensor makes calibrating accurate speed a simple process. The unit features an integrated attitude sensor, as well, for logging heel and trim data. With the free CAST app, boaters won’t need expensive PC software to provide heel-compensated speed across multiple heel angles and speed ranges. The 5 Hz output delivers unrivaled speed for making quick decisions on the water. The sensor, which also measures depth and water temperature—to a tenth of a degree—accommodates hull angles of up to 22 degrees and costs $399.

What the judges said: “Airmar sensors are used extensively by sailing instruments, which means the new sensor can easily replace older ones. The ability to self-calibrate and ‘see’ down to the bottom when measuring depth is a great benefit, especially for sailboats that often have curved hull forms. The ability to correct for heel and calibrate speed accordingly is of great value to racing sailors, but also to navigation, since speed through the water is used to calculate current, true wind speed and other critical sailing data.”

Best in Entertainment: Rockford Fosgate 12-inch Color Optix M2 Subwoofers

Rockford Fosgate has introduced 12-inch Color Optix Subwoofers for its M2 line of Element Ready sound technology. The subwoofers come in two types — infinite baffle, which provides more strength in the cone — and sealed options for smaller enclosures. Available in black, white, black with stainless insert or white with stainless insert, the subs can be customized by connecting an optional Color Optix Controller and RF Connect App that allows selection of various light colors and patterns. The 12-inch M2s cost $449.

What the judges said: “The M2 subwoofer’s customizable LED colors let users personalize their audio experience. With the ability to pump out up to 1600 watts of power, a lack of volume should never be an issue.”

Most Innovative for Power: Dometic Optimus Outboard Electric Steering Actuator

Dometic’s Optimus Outboard Electric Steering Actuator delivers full power-steering functionality with auto-adjustable parameters to any conventional outboard. The actuator, electronic helm display and harness install quickly without the need for hoses, oil or purging. The system also integrates with joystick control, SeaStation (position hold), SeaWays (Dometic autopilot), and third-party autopilots. This actuator employs a compact brushless DC motor and a unique roller screw that produces enough power to push even the heaviest outboards. Two engines require two actuators; triple- or quad-outboard setups also employ two actuators with additional tie-bars. Price for a single-engine system is $5,700, about 15 percent higher than equivalent electro-hydraulic systems.

What the judges said: “The new Optimus electric steering system brings marine-steering technology into the 21st century.”

Best in Communication: Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix

Standard Horizon’s GX2400 Matrix VHF radio replaces earlier GX220 products; it offers an internal, 66-channel WAAS GPS receiver; NMEA 2000 networkability; a wireless (or wired) full-functioning, second-station RAM mic; and an AIS receiver. Anglers can employ the voice scrambler to send encrypted messages to fishing buddies. The fixed-mount radio costs $449.99.

Read Next: More Top Marine Electronics for Boating

What the judges said: “Standard Horizon’s GX2400 is a feature-heavy VHF base-station radio that delivers mic expandability and NMEA 2000 compatibility at a budget-conscious price point.”

The post Best Electronics Awards 2021 appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

The National Marine Electronics Association has announced 19 winners for its Product of Excellence Awards and named Garmin, for the sixth straight time, as its Manufacturer of the Year.

“It’s a true honor to be the NMEA Manufacturer of the Year for six years running,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Working closely with our dealers, distributors, industry experts and NMEA technicians every step of the way, we’ve created a portfolio of some of the most innovative technology on the water, all backed by our first-class service and support. These awards are a true testament to Garmin’s commitment to excellence and reliability among our industry colleagues and customers, and validate the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

Garmin and Fusion, a Garmin brand, also captured four product awards. Furuno took home five awards. NMEA members selected the winners of the annual Product of Excellence Awards through an online voting process. Awards were given in 17 categories.

• Marine VHF: ICOM M605
• Radar: Furuno DRS4DNXT Solid-State Doppler
• Satellite Communications Antenna: KVH TracPhone V3-HTS
• Multi-Function Display: Garmin GPSMAP 8616xsv
• Multimedia Entertainment: Fusion Apollo RA770
• NMEA 2000 Sensor: Furuno SCX20 High Precision Satellite Compass
• Autopilot: Garmin Reactor 40 with SmartPump v2
• Satellite TV Antenna: KVH TracVision UHD7
• Fishfinder-: Furuno DFF3D Multi-Beam 3D
• Marine Camera: FLIR M364C
• AIS: Vesper XB8000 smartAIS
• Marine PC Software: Nobeltec TZ Professional V 4.1
• Remote Monitoring: GOST Apparition SM GPS XVR
• Wi-Fi/Cellular Device: KVH TracPhone LTE-1 (tie)
• Wi-Fi/Cellular Device: Wave Wi-Fi Tidal Wave AC + Cellular (tie)
• Marine Apps-Utility: Garmin ActiveCaptain
• Commercial: Furuno FAR2228BB 25kW IMO Radar
• Marine Specialty: Maretron N2KBuilder – NMEA2000® Network Design Software (tie)
• Marine Specialty: Furuno “Deep Impact” DI-FFAMP High-Power CHIRP Amplifier (tie)

“On behalf of the NMEA Board of Directors, staff, and membership, we congratulate all 2020 award winners,” said Mark Reedenauer, NMEA President & Executive Director. “The member voting count exceeded our expectations. This certainly sends the message to the market that manufacturers have focused on producing top quality products for the boating public, even during a pandemic. NMEA members, installers, and manufacturers have surely kept their eye on the ball.”

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Icom’s new M37 handheld VHF radio offers 6 watts of RF output power and 700 megawatts of audio output. The Li-ion supplied battery pack provides more than 12 hours of operating time. In addition, Icom has also added a channel-history function that stores the last five channels for easy recall. The M37 comes with Icom’s AquaQuake draining feature and its Float’n Flash function, which allows the radio to float and be easily found due to a flashing red LED light and LCD/key backlight. The M37 weighs 10.3 ounces and costs $277.

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When I head offshore, I ­actually enjoy tinkering with the onboard electronics, exploring their capabilities, diving deep into the menus. My husband, not so much.

When it comes to ­using electronics, he wants to power up the multifunction display, and see a chart with GPS coordinates on the left and sonar with a depth reading and water temperature on the right. In truth, that’s pretty much all you need electronically for offshore fishing, save a fixed-mount, properly set up VHF radio.

In some coastal zones, radar is equally necessary because of frequent fog or other weather impediments. But for many anglers, radar is a “nice-to-have.”

Sonar Setups
“Offshore, to me, means deep water,” says Raymarine/FLIR marketing manager Jim McGowan. “I’m thinking 500-plus feet deep.”

For sonar to provide detailed returns in such depths, it should be at least a 500-watt chirp system, if not 1 kW, he suggests. More-powerful units mark bottom at greater depths and support a much-wider array of transducers.

“The way technology has changed, a standard 50/200 kHz transducer has almost become an antiquated tool,” says Tom Zambetoglou, regional sales manager for Navico, which owns the Simrad and Lowrance brands. “Wide-beam technology has given the fisherman a broader view ­under the boat.”

Zambetoglou recommends a 1 kW Airmar B175HW high-wide ­transducer, which pairs with Simrad’s GO Series and evo3 multifunction ­displays—all feature internal 1 kW sounders. “The reason the B175HW is popular is it does a ­fantastic job inside 300 feet, fishing wrecks and trolling for bluefins and stripers, and when you’re offshore, it does a fabulous job in the upper water column, ­distinguishing bait [from] tuna.”

Garmin’s GPSMap series of ­multi­function displays best addresses offshore-fishing needs, says David Dunn, director of sales and marketing. Those units have up to 1 kW built-in chirp sonar, which covers most bases, he says.

The 8600 series, in particular, comes in a variety of screen sizes and can split its main window into six separate screens. Anglers can interact with each screen individually without ­affecting the others.

Dunn says his preference is to mount two separate MFDs side by side, and dial in one to sonar and the other to his charts with radar overlay. However, he says the trend is for anglers to ­purchase one large display.

Underwater Road Maps
Zambetoglou stresses good carto­graphy because what’s available today has become so user-definable. “You can target specific areas, and do color shading and contouring, and really define where you’re fishing,” he says, talking about the ­company’s C-Map products. “If you want to stay at 30 fathoms, you can color that line. The user interface will give you the ability to show that line in blue ­compared with green.”

In addition, live-mapping apps such as Raymarine’s RealBathy or Navionics’ SonarChart Live, let you build your own contours, McGowan says. “Plus modern charts are pre-­populated with key wrecks, artificial reefs and local information.”

Garmin GPSMap units come preloaded with the company’s new g3 cartography; an upgrade to g3 Vision provides high-resolution relief shading. “It gives you the opportunity to see an uncharted bump or hump or crevice,” Dunn says. “But resolution shading is still in its infancy. Most of the available sites are in Florida right now. This will be a trend over the next two years.”

Safety Solutions
“In my humble opinion, nobody should go offshore without a fully functioning and set up VHF radio,” McGowan says. “I’m also shocked at how many boaters never activate the digital selective ­calling feature on their VHF.”

Offshore, the VHF is the only ­device other than an emergency beacon that can reliably summon help, and it is directly connected to those personnel equipped to assist boaters in emergencies.

All VHFs must, by law, be DSC-enabled; many also come with built-in GPS and often built-in AIS receivers. In many cases, the VHF can be easily networked with the boat’s MFD so all functions can be performed on one display.

“If it’s hooked up properly, the screen can walk you through what’s going on in an emergency. It gives you a script on the screen, and it gives you the actual coordinates of your ­position as well as putting the VHF into DSC mode and sending out a ­signal,” says Garmin’s Dunn.

Bells and Whistles
“Radar is an obvious addition, and many times a necessity,” says Jeff Kauzlaric, Furuno advertising and communications manager. “The great thing about today’s radars is all the options. For example, Furuno offers both powerful magnetron radars with its X-Class series, which bring a lot of power for finding flocks of birds, and also solid-state NXT Doppler radars that excel with navigating, using their target-analyzer feature.”

Some of Raymarine’s pros swear their radar scanner is more important than their sonar for finding fish, McGowan says. But high-­powered ­radar options do cost a pretty penny. “Some radomes are bird-mode equipped too,” he notes. “And they work just as well at slightly shorter ranges.” Furuno’s DFF3D multibeam sonar shows anglers what’s under the boat 120 degrees port to starboard in depths to about 900 feet. “You can determine which side of the boat the fish are on, and display 3D pictures of structure,” Kauzlaric says.

Garmin’s LiveScope doesn’t go quite as deep—200 feet—but it gives anglers a real-time look at what’s directly beneath them in a 135-degree cone angle. “If you’re bottomfishing, you can actually see fish swimming up and hitting the bait. If you’re trolling, you can see if there are tuna below,” Dunn says.

Read Next: Choose the Right Electronics for Inshore Fishing

SiriusXM weather is also another near necessity; it requires a subscription and a satellite antenna. In fact, Garmin and Sirius just announced a partnership, called Fish Mapping, with new features such as ­sea-surface ­temperature (updated every six hours), weed-line concentrations and plankton maps—available offshore, out of cell range—with Garmin’s new GXM 54 antenna.

Of course, thermal cameras, IP cameras, Raymarine augmented reality and engine-monitoring integration also belong on any offshore anglers’ wish list.

In my opinion, one can never have too many gadgets. It’s simply against my nature to be a minimalist. I’m queen of the nice-to-haves.

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Measuring just 3.74 inches high and 2.05 inches wide and weighing 8.1 ounces, Standard Horizon’s new HX40 handheld VHF is certainly compact. The unit transmits at 6 watts and comes with 600 megawatts of audio output. Anglers can preset up to 10 favorite channels; the HX40 also comes with dual- and triple-watch operation. The VHF costs $119.99; an optional ­flotation-case accessory costs $15.

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Icom‘s new fixed-mount M330 VHF radio — measuring 6.2-by-2.6-by-4.3 inches — fits in small spaces yet comes with full-size ­functionality and features. A new speaker design generates clear sound over a wide bass and treble range. The Class D DSC radio monitors channel 70 continuously, even while receiving. The M330 is compatible with Class B AIS, comes in white or black, and in two models: with ($199.99) or without GNSS/GPS ($159.99).

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Icom‘s latest fixed-mount transceiver, the M605, comes with a 4.3-inch color thin-film-transistor LCD screen and allows customization with up to three stations. Captains can add an exclusive complete display as another station, along with two CommandMics. The 25-watt unit features a GNSS antenna and a 30-watt listen-back hailer and foghorn. Class D DSC and NMEA 2000/0183 compatible, the M605 comes in two versions, with ($1,530) or without ($1,225) an AIS receiver.

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When tragedies happen on the water, the outpouring of raw pain and sorrow reminds boating anglers that anyone can fall victim to an unforgiving sea. At those times, safety gear and procedures become more than just afterthoughts and burdensome expenses.

Florida has enacted a law, effective July 1, reducing vessel-registration fees for boats equipped with EPIRBs or PLBs, and most states now require children to wear life jackets. But adult Americans remain free to make choices that affect not only themselves but also their families as well as emergency response teams.

For instance, at this writing, no agency requires VHF radio carriage or installation, yet communication should be a boater’s first line of defense. Cellphones offer extremely limited protection near shore, and they cannot readily transmit a boat’s position. Properly installed VHFs with digital selective calling (DSC) can alert emergency help and nearby boaters at the touch of just one button.

Proper VHF Installation Procedures

The most recent statistics I can find from the U.S. Coast Guard show that 90 percent of VHF DSC distress calls do not contain position information; 60 percent do not contain a registered identity. If the VHF is not linked to the GPS (or if the radio does not come with internal GPS), it cannot transmit your location, and thus the easy-peasy ­one-button safety system falls apart.

Likewise, if you don’t obtain a required Maritime Mobile Service Identity number and enter it into your VHF, rescuers know nothing about your vessel or your emergency contacts. To keep you and your passengers safe and help you fully employ this primary safety technology, here are 10 tips and considerations from the National Marine Electronics Association, ICOM America and Raymarine for buying and ­installing a VHF radio.

[1] Purchasing Choices

“When shopping for a radio, remember that the essential calling and safety features of every VHF are the same, regardless of the manufacturer,” says Jim McGowan, marketing director for Raymarine. “Every radio sold in the USA needs to meet guidelines for power, performance and features as set by the FCC. However, there can be some manufacturer-specific features or integration that you can take advantage of if your VHF is the same brand as your multifunction display.”

[2] Pro or DIY

Many boaters feel comfortable installing a VHF themselves. However, if you have any doubts, contact an NMEA Master Dealer (nmea.org). The NMEA also offers a free DIY VHF installation brochure that can walk you through the basics of installing and checking your radio.

[3] Power Supply

When it transmits, your VHF radio likely draws the most power of all your marine electronics. A radio that appears to be working great when listening can fail to transmit properly if it is starved for power, McGowan says. Make sure to follow all the manufacturer’s directions when making power connections to the radio. If you must run a longer power cable, make sure you use proper-gauge wire for the distance, and use fuses or breakers with the appropriate rating.

The NMEA suggests using a ­voltmeter to measure the DC supply voltage at the VHF while transmitting on high power. Voltage should not drop below 12.6 volts.

[4] Connect It

The NMEA’s DIY brochure ­highlights three key elements of a proper VHF installation: antenna placement; antenna cabling, connectors and routing; and the radio’s DC power requirements. Improper antenna-connector and cable installation degrades VHF performance and can possibly damage the radio.

[5] In Position

When installing your radio, consider how easy or difficult it will be to see and access the controls and screen. Think about the drape of the VHF handset cable and whether it will interfere with or block your view of other systems.

Many VHF manufacturers offer installation kits that allow you to remotely connect the handset to the ­transceiver unit.

[6] Antenna Tips

A VHF radio is only as good as the antenna it’s connected to, McGowan says. A 25-watt fixed-mount VHF radio transmits up to 20 miles when the antenna is working well and mounted as high as possible.

When replacing an older VHF antenna, pay close attention to the antenna’s condition. On fiberglass antennas, check for cracks or fraying of the fiberglass, and repair or replace as necessary. Check the antenna base and mount for corrosion, and make sure it’s firmly secured to the boat.

Also check the antenna cable for any signs of weathering or breakdown from sun exposure. The cable should be free of kinks, nicks and abrasions. The PL-259 connector should be securely fastened or soldered to the end of the coaxial cable. It should be corrosion-free and securely screwed into the VHF radio’s antenna port.

[7] GPS On

To ensure DSC capability, make sure your radio has a GPS connection. A few higher-end VHF radios, such as the ICOM M424G, feature a built-in GPS receiver; others must be connected to your chart plotter’s GPS using an NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 network.

The NMEA DIY brochure diagrams a simple two-wire connection from the radio to the chart plotter/GPS, along with an alternative one-step connection to an NMEA 2000 network backbone. Wire colors do vary by manufacturer, so check your radio’s installation guide in conjunction with the plotter/GPS manual.

[8] Know Your Number

Register for your MMSI number through BoatU.S. or Sea Tow if you operate within U.S. waters, says ICOM America’s Fred Varian. If you travel by boat to international destinations, including the Bahamas and Mexico, you must obtain an MMSI and a ship station license through the FCC.

Program the MMSI number into your radio using the directions that came with the VHF. The presence of a valid MMSI number and GPS position allows your radio to work on the U.S. Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 distress system, with ground stations capable of hearing transmissions up to 25 miles away. If you’re fishing well beyond that distance, you will have to rely on other boats to relay your information or even provide direct assistance in an emergency.

[9] Always Update

Periodically update your MMSI ­registration. Make sure the emergency contacts and the color and description of your boat are correct. Did you sell your boat or your VHF radio? If so, cancel the old MMSI registration.

[10] Share the Info

Train your crew, family and guests on how your VHF radio works and which channels should be used in the event of an emergency. Consider posting a cheat sheet near your radio. During your routine pre-departure checklist, include a short explanation of the VHF, how to activate the DSC distress button, how to place a Mayday distress call, where to find life jackets, and other safety information.

The post 10 Tips for Proper VHF Radio Installation and Connection appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

When shopping marine electronics, it’s easy to fall for a cool new multifunction display or even a VHF/AIS combo. But when it comes to shopping for parts such as transducers and antennas, where’s the love?

For anglers, the right or best VHF antenna could mean the difference between finding a great bite or enduring the skunk. On a more serious note, it could rescue you from a stranding or accident.

“If all things are equal — including antenna height and radio model — you could go from a range of 10 miles to 25-plus miles just based on the materials in the antenna,” says Chris Catoe, marine sales manager for the Shakespeare Antenna Group.

For that reason, most experts advise buying the best antenna you can afford. Prices range from about $30 to more than $300 for most recreational fishing vessels.

What is a VHF Marine Antenna?

“We have sensitive receivers,” says David McLain, national sales manager for ICOM, makers of VHF marine radios. “But if you match one with just a $30 antenna, you’re not going to get the range an ICOM can get you.”

At Shakespeare, VHF marine antennas are grouped into three categories that correlate to good, better and best products. Those categories are Classic, Galaxy and Phase III models. Key differences boil down to what’s inside, whether coaxial cable, a combination of coax, brass and copper, or all brass and copper; brass and copper create the greatest efficiency.

However, before dissecting antennas, anglers should understand just what an antenna is, says John Jones, vice president of engineering for Digital Antenna. “It’s a machine,” he says. “People think it’s a piece of wire. Anything we build is a physically resonant circuit for the frequencies we intend to use. An antenna converts electrical signals into photons — it’s a photon generator.”

Catoe says consumers often think, as well, that a VHF antenna transmits only from its tip. “It radiates from the base up,” he confirms.

Because of the energy surrounding the antenna and because the signals travel by line of sight, the antenna’s placement aboard a vessel is key. Even the best antenna won’t perform when placed too close to another antenna using similar frequencies (AIS or another VHF), or when mounted too low or too near metal objects.

Marine VHF Antenna Height and Strength

Other considerations for choosing the right VHF antenna include antenna height and gain. Catoe says the vast majority of powerboats in the 24- to 32-foot range do well using 8-foot antennas with 6-decibel (dB) gain. A 3- to 4-foot antenna that’s 3 dB is generally recommended for boats under 24 feet. Larger vessels can opt for 12- to 18-foot, 7 to 8 dB antennas.

“As a general rule, antenna height should be less than half the length of the boat,” Catoe says.

Higher-dB antennas generate greater effective radiated power, and that can translate into greater range. However, the lower-dB antennas, such as a 3 dB stick, are recommended for vessels like sailboats carrying antennas atop a tall mast that sways in high seas. The 3 dB antenna creates a larger signal pattern, but that pattern doesn’t travel as far, so it doesn’t leave the horizon as dramatically when the boat pitches.

Anglers who own VHF radios that are equipped with Automatic Identification System can use one VHF antenna for both functions as long as the AIS is receive-only. If your AIS unit also transmits, two antennas are necessary.

“We always recommend dedicated antennas for each,” Catoe says. “Any time you split something, you usually sacrifice something. Most people like to have both systems operating optimally.”

Durable Marine VHF Antennas

In most cases, an angler breaks a VHF antenna before it dies of natural causes. “Antenna life span is hard to establish. Some last two years; some last 30,” Catoe says. “It depends on how you’re taking care of it, and which grade of antenna you purchased.”

Better antennas have UV blockers in the paint or they might be heavier-duty fiberglass or come with stainless steel rather than plastic mounts. Shakespeare recommends boaters wash their VHF antenna with soap and water whenever they wash the boat. Don’t use abrasive detergents that can strip the finish off the fiberglass. Some boaters apply wax, Catoe says, which will not interfere with the antenna function.

Tom Burden — senior product content editor for West Marine, which sells a variety of antennas, cables and connections — says that corrosion can become a major problem, particularly at connection points.

If you experience radio problems you think come from the antenna, you can always test the signal strength by calling a friend on another boat, Burden advises. Have that friend start fairly close and move away until the signal fades.

Shakespeare also sells an ART-3 antenna meter. That unit tests the voltage standing-wave ratio, the output power, battery voltage and the radio’s receiver. If the antenna is faulty, it can be replaced. Most antennas come with three- to five-year warranties.

When you buy a new antenna or replace an old one, chances are you won’t run into the tech creep that plagues other electronics types. Physics more or less defines the technology of an antenna, so it hasn’t changed much over time. Materials have changed a little, but “the biggest trend I’m seeing,” says Catoe, “is the combination of things: antennas or radios that have multifunctions (AIS and VHF together, or cellular and Wi-Fi). It’s all about centralizing all product in a smaller footprint.”

The post Choosing and Using the Best Marine VHF Antenna appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Sea Tow Automated Radio Checks

“Radio check, radio check. Any vessel, can I get a radio check?”

In my part of the world, these words repeated ad nauseam over VHF radio broadcast channels can become a real annoyance on busy boating weekends, irritating other captains and filling the air waves with chatter. There’s also a chance it can interfere with emergency transmissions. And it’s unnecessary.

I say unnecessary because along the coast of Southern California, where I fish, any boater can use **Sea Tow automated radio checks **free of charge on VHF channel 27. Sea Tow Services International is one of the country’s leading marine assistance and on-water towing providers. In addition, the company, in association with MariTEL, has established a system of automated radio checks in 130 locations, and the network is growing. The channels vary by location, but range from 24 to 28 on the VHF frequency spectrum.

It’s pretty simple to use. In my area, for example, I select channel 27, then key the mic and broadcast a request for a radio check. An automatic response repeats my request as an incoming transmission, so I can hear what other boaters might hear when conversing via VHF to assess transmission strength and clarity. This is followed by a brief safety reminder and, of course, a plug for the sponsor – Sea Tow.

You don’t have to be a member of Sea Tow to use the automated radio check, and it costs nothing. To find the right channel in a particular boating area, all a boater has to do is visit the Sea Tow automated radio check page and enter the city, state or zip code. An interactive map will open, showing the automated radio check stations in your region. I strongly encourage you to check it out.

Sea Tow is also actively looking for volunteers to host new automated-radio-check stations. Any business can apply. You need a place to mount a 30-foot antenna. Automated-radio-check transmitting stations also require a controller box programmed with proprietary software developed by Sea Tow and MariTEL, and a VHF radio. To learn more, contact Sea Tow.

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