William G. Andersen said:
If you make up a matrix of features and prices, you will see that almost all
manufacturers have radios in the same price ranges with the same features.
They are all pretty much the same; most recommendations that are favorable
are based on personal experience; most recommendations that are unfavorable
are baseless.
Very well said. A good friend who runs the Kenwood East Repair Center will
help any boater stopped on the ICW in Hampton Roads with one-day service on
their radio problems. But as far as warranty goes, most if not all of the
big names in the business no longer honor repair costs on smaller equipment,
authorizing replacement-only while under warranty. This will eventually
eliminate the repair business for small (inexpensive) electronics. Just so
you know what happens when you send your small radios in for repair under
warranty. If during-warranty repairs while enroute is what you require, it
may now cost something because the manufacturers have largely abandonded
subsidizing this cost through their authorized repair centers. For the most
part, small VHF radios do last their expected lifetime under fairly harsh
conditions without problems. Just don't expect that lifetime to be more than
a few years!
Jack
