VHF with GPS

Nothing....?

I am curious about placement...does it need open sky to work...external antenna....will be my next purchase

You will need an external antenna to actually use it. Biggest problem Is it works off line of sight. So antenna needs to be a decent size for any kind of range.

topnative2 said:

I am curious about placement...does it need open sky to work...external antenna....will be my next purchase

Click to expand...

That model I bought is supposed to have the antenna built into the face of the radio. I was worried about that since I am planning to flush mount it. It'll be on the flat of my console angled up slightly so it should get a decent amount of open sky exposure.

I will report back with how it does once I get it installed.

ceejkay said:

You will need an external antenna to actually use it. Biggest problem Is it works off line of sight. So antenna needs to be a decent size for any kind of range.

Click to expand...

Yes I got a fiberglass 46" high gain antenna from Gigaparts. I plan on getting an 8' if I decide to put a t-top on the boat, but that's still up in the air, I really like it being open.

great info....I certainly would like to hear how it works out...measure twice especially behind the radio

That antenna should work. You can test it at home via sea tows automation test. I think it’s 22/23/24/or25. Basically you do a radio check and it sends it back to you.

ques. of the day..are their dual antenna setups....2 in 1

topnative2 said:

great info....I certainly would like to hear how it works out...measure twice especially behind the radio

Click to expand...

Thanks, my thinking was I plan on being pretty far offshore in this boat sometimes, and even if I can't radio all the way back to shore/USCG there's bound to be another DSC capable VHF within range.

ceejkay said:

That antenna should work. You can test it at home via sea tows automation test. I think it’s 22/23/24/or25. Basically you do a radio check and it sends it back to you.

Click to expand...

That's good info, appreciate it.

topnative2 said:

ques. of the day..are their dual antenna setups....2 in 1

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I don't know, but you really got me thinking now... If there's not you might have a great invention. I know I would buy one just to keep from having to drill more holes in my boat and bolt more crap on.

Yes there is. https://www.hodgesmarine.com/sha435...5hy14QpKfoiJ7ozYXdhFSXJgx8HCySWRoCgfkQAvD_BwE

ceejkay said:

Yes there is. https://www.hodgesmarine.com/sha435...5hy14QpKfoiJ7ozYXdhFSXJgx8HCySWRoCgfkQAvD_BwE

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close....gps antenna w/i the vhf antenna...one hole deal

I am not thinking here ...I believe you can take the gps off of a map/ff into the vhf and then we are back to one hole?????????????

LowHydrogen said:

I will have to look into that. I'll be running an HDS 12 right above the radio. I am going to attempt to run it via the internal antenna as well. Once again flush mounted so I'm going to have to see how it goes once installed. Got the holes trimmed and dry fit the other day. Still have some more glass and paint work to do but it's getting closer.
VHF will be just below the FF.
View attachment 130476 View attachment 130478

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definitely, will be a clean look...kudos

LowHydrogen said:

That model I bought is supposed to have the antenna built into the face of the radio. I was worried about that since I am planning to flush mount it. It'll be on the flat of my console angled up slightly so it should get a decent amount of open sky exposure.

I will report back with how it does once I get it installed.

Click to expand...

The built in antenna is for the GPS, you still need a VHF antenna to use the radio for communication.

sidelock said:

The built in antenna is for the GPS, you still need a VHF antenna to use the radio for communication.

Click to expand...

Yep I'm aware, I have a fiberglass antenna for that. Just hoping to not have to use the optional external antenna for aquiring GPS signal. Like @topnative2 mentioned if it doesn't work well I'll try and feed it signal from the HDS if possible.

Radio should be here in a few days. I'll report back on how it does flush mounted. Got my fingers crossed. I figure if it can get signal here in my wooded yard it'll be ok on open water.

Just noticed this thread.
I'm expecting delivery the next day or two.
Ordered the same (1800GB) from the GPS store.

I've been think of getting a HDS too
but going to wait till I cut some cardboard to mock one up. Don't think a 12 will fit.

So your GPS and 1800G work when the key is "off" ?

Bad A$$ boat