@Allan Oleson Thanks for the clarification on the button. Couldn’t tell it was a cover from the picture on the web. Since I would mostly be beating it up places like Maine with chillier water, I have to accept a possibly challenged battery life. I have learned never to trust the battery indicator. Maybe it goes down gradually in Florida, but nowhere I paddle.
I paddle rinse drop them in chargers. I want to get a tray for my radios for 6 AA BATTERIES.
By the way, I bought a cheap, generic USB -> 12V DC converter on Ebay. Plug size and polarity were correct for the Icom charging tray (how lucky can you be?).
So now I can charge the VHF on trips by connecting the charging tray to a USB power bank. Not as neat as those Standard Horizon VHFs which can be charged directly with a USB cable, but still better than nothing.
The original Ebay listing has gone, but this one seems similar (though there is no mention of polarity):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-5mmx2-1mm-DC-DC-USB-9V-12V-DC-Jack-Step-up-Power-Module-Converter-Cable-Cord-/291821935053?var=&hash=item43f1f159cd
I have a Standard Horizon HX300 which also has the feature that makes it flash if dropped into the water. mine doesn’t start flashing when punching through surf or even a quick roll. it has to be in the water for maybe 3 or 4 seconds then it will start to flash. the feature can be turned off. Not sure how big this new DSC radio is but when I got mine they were all to big to fit into PFD radio pocket.
My SH 850 & 851 don’t fit in any of my pockets. PITA
As to fitting inside a pocket in a PFD - nothing with a DSC button or this level of features will. Most people I know clip them onto the outside of their PFD. Given my size, the length of the antenna and height is something I need to look at because of that.
Regarding AA battery packs, check your manual for details and limitations. Many radios lose their waterproof rating when used with AA packs rather than their rechargeable batteries. If you feel the need for a backup battery for on-water use, you may have to spring for a second rechargeable battery.
@Celia said:
As to fitting inside a pocket in a PFD - nothing with a DSC button or this level of features will.
I have my M91-D in the front pocket of my Astral Seawolf.
(But it really takes up the space in that pocket.)
Biggest PITA is finding a place on my vest for Standard Horizons 850 & 851. I hate it.
Shoulder mount it. It’s easy. http://briannystrom.com/kayaking/tutorials/shoulder-mounting-a-vhf-radio/
I don’t have that mount. I tried your idea few years ago with a caribiner. Post pictures later.
Always ends up flapping around. I hook it on caribiner
Need loop sewn on shoulder strap and something on the base like a bungee.
Follow Brian’s suggestion…it works and solves the carry / talk problem Excellent solution…
http://briannystrom.com/kayaking/tutorials/shoulder-mounting-a-vhf-radio/
Been through that he has a smaller radio and different mount than the 850 I have. I can’t make the mount tight on the shoulder strap.
I have a M73 Icom, {mine is about the same size as yours P Dog}… bought the swivel belt mount {about $10} to replace the clip that the radio came with…works good.
There is no swivel clip for my radios 850 & 851 that I know of. So I can’t mount it tight up on the shoulder and remove it easily. Best I can think of is tubular webbing material sewn on the shoulder strap for my clip to go in.
The newer SH 870 has a removable belt clip which would let me probably do it Brian’s way.