Blade Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Hi Raiders, I have recently bought a 2nd hand boat and it came with both a 27mhz and VHF radio. Is there a reason to have both or can I just run the VHF and same some dash space. The 27mhz doesn't seem to be working properly so it will need some TLC. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 19 minutes ago, Blade said: Hi Raiders, Is there a reason to have both Not really https://marinerescuensw.com.au/boating-safety/marineradios#:~:text=Basic entry level marine radios,offshore coastal and overseas cruising. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmck Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 There are several reasons NOT to use the 27MHz... they are only 4 watts (VHF is 25W) They are AM and subject to interference (VHF is FM) 27M is subject to atmospheric conditions that do strange things. I'm in Adelaide, on one occassion on the water I could not reach a mate that I could see on the horizon... I could however talk to a bloke on Moreton Bay... Marine Rescue is considering not monitoring 27M. VHF is an international safety standard and is monitored 24/365.25 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 when i originally fitted out my boat back in 2011 i operated on the theory of redundancy- so i have a VHF and a 27- ive never actually used the 27 but its there- i also have 2 bilge pumps, extra rope, 2 batteries - actually 4 now with the electric motor, 2 screens both of which can be used as gps and sounder, two transducers- you get the picture- having back up is a good idea, if the 27 works leave it there, if it doesnt have a think about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 VHF all the way. I have one in the boat and one in the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmck Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 2 hours ago, PaddyT said: when i originally fitted out my boat back in 2011 i operated on the theory of redundancy- so i have a VHF and a 27- ive never actually used the 27 but its there- i also have 2 bilge pumps, extra rope, 2 batteries - actually 4 now with the electric motor, 2 screens both of which can be used as gps and sounder, two transducers- you get the picture- having back up is a good idea, if the 27 works leave it there, if it doesnt have a think about it. Nothing wrong with being safe-- instead of 27M (I took mine out) I carry a hand-held VHF too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Signing Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 I still have both and there have been occasions with the VHF particularly in the Crookhaven river where i haven't been able to reach VMR Shoalhaven to sign off and have just jumped on the 27meg and its worked perfectly. On this 27meg dies though ill just run a second VHF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyT Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 yep plenty of blind spots in radio coverage but MR still monitor 27 ""unofficially "" . But first trip out get a radio check with both . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) 9 hours ago, Blade said: The 27mhz doesn't seem to be working properly so it will need some TLC. Good points above, its does pay in most situations to have a back up. I know when I go bush I have 2 or 3 uhf's, 2 GPS's plus paper maps etc. What are the issues your having with the 27mhz? Could be bad aereal connection if your getting static? Edited June 23, 2020 by kingie chaser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonywardle Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Old boat had both new boat didn't. I didn't bother moving the 27mHz. The fishing club use 27mHz for chatting and you don't need a license for it. VHF you need a license if you want to use DSC, and to use DSC you need an MMSI, and to get an MMSI, you need a license. Marine Radio License I also take a handheld VHF that floats. As mentioned above, if its working leave it, if its not, I wouldn't bother replacing it, thow it out and put in another sounder. Take your mobile with you, it will most likely work where ever you are fishing, up to a few KM offshore 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blade Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 3 hours ago, kingie chaser said: Good points above, its does pay in most situations to have a back up. I know when I go bush I have 2 or 3 uhf's, 2 GPS's plus paper maps etc. What are the issues your having with the 27mhz? Could be bad aereal connection if your getting static? It just seems to not pick anything up I leave it on scan and it runs for ages then all of a sudden its onto something for a couple of seconds then gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Blade said: It just seems to not pick anything up I leave it on scan and it runs for ages then all of a sudden its onto something for a couple of seconds then gone. Imo the 2 main things to check would be the ground wire & the antenna connection to the back of the radio. If either or both have a bad connection your signal strength will be weakened or interrupted. @zmk1962 is very good with 12V electrical so maybe he could offer another opinion on it? Edited June 23, 2020 by kingie chaser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmk1962 Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Also check that you don’t have squelch cranked up. Turn it back until you hear noise. Then increment forward until the noise just disappears. cheers Zoran 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmk1962 Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 5 minutes ago, kingie chaser said: @zmk1962 is very good with 12V electrical so maybe he could offer another opinion on it? Hey my ears must have been ringing! .. and I don’t run on 12V! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blade Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 Will give the above a go and see if it makes a difference. The VHF is a Lowerance and my sounder is too, I have the cable to link them so hoping to do that as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) 26 minutes ago, zmk1962 said: Hey my ears must have been ringing! .. and I don’t run on 12V! Ok, my mistake then! Didn't say you run on 12V just implied you knee about it. Edited June 23, 2020 by kingie chaser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 31 minutes ago, zmk1962 said: Also check that you don’t have squelch cranked up. Great point, forgot about the squelch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunc333 Posted June 26, 2020 Share Posted June 26, 2020 i have both and use both as some of my older friends still run 27meg cheers dunc333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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