Uniden UM385 25 Watt Fixed Mount Marine Vhf Radio, Waterproof IPX4 with Triple Watch, Dsc, Emergency/Noaa Weather Alert, All Usa/International/Canadian Marine Channels, Memory Channel Scan, White

Originally I bought this to be installed on my dinghy, but after waiting more than two months to get it installed due to Covid- I decided it would be better installed on my main boat. The 19 protocols are listed below. Observations
1) The radio is not connected to a laptop or other computer The use of Ch. 5A, 11, 14, 21, A and 67 is rendered unusable due to a functioning squelch that makes background noise unbearable and makes broadcasts There are three VTS channels available in the Puget Sound region 5A, 11 and 14. 2) The radio does not respond properly to DSC calls since it does not send out the Ack response as it should. Using a pair of alternate radios, I checked this. Additionally, it does not respond to a test call made to the USCG via DSC. It does display the GPS coordinates correctly and is properly connected to the GPS. It is impossible to provide excellent customer service It is real. In two weeks ago, I sent them an email to alert them to these issues. In response to my follow-up message after one week without any response, I contacted the company again. A response that read "We're working on your issue" triggered an automatic response. A second email was sent out two days ago and I received the same automated So I decided to call in my problem (willing to wait the inevitable amount of time). It seems we are shutting down for training, so I received a "We're sorry, but we are closed Nobody knows if or when they might be available, or even how long it will take. Therefore, we recommend you do not buy a Uniden radio. Faulty equipment + no customer support equals DO NOT BUY A UNIDEN radio. After my mistake, I will stick with ICOM or Standard Horizon VHF products in the future, because they are $50 more expensive. A difference of 200 is worth it in the sense that the costs involved in installing, diagnosing, and resolving issues with the cheaper product are decrease.

Oakleigh Avila

| Sep 06, 2020

These are the fifth of a fleet of towboats I have ordered. Our radio earned 4 out of 5 stars thanks to the fact that 4 out of 5 radios lasted A few of them work great, but one does not. On one of them, after two months, it would sometimes work, it would not work at all at other times. I haven't run into any problems with the other 4. I think the item is defective or something is loose in the inside. I need The transmitter transmits clearly, and is loud when the volume is set to the highest setting. Multi channel scanning is very useful if you have only one radio and would like to listen to multiple stations at the same time. You will need the mounting push brackets if you're doing it as a dash mount (as I did). There are separate mounting brackets for this. VHF receiver overall is decent at the price point.

Nala Hayes

| Feb 13, 2021

I was reluctant to purchase this unit because of other reviews, but the price made it worth a try. As a result of reports of a weak plastic fitting on the mic bracket, I loosened the mike bracket's spring action. My pontoon boat was launched at the St Johns River, 26 miles from me, using the radio I requested a radio check, and I received a clear response on channel 16. A repair of the mike must have been made, and I saw no weaknesses with it. I requested a RR bridge opening on channel 09 several miles into my voyage, and I was told loudly and clearly I had been heard. All of the wx stations received were clearly audible to me. While I am not crazy about the channel selection method, I can live with it. The choice I made was the right one.

Grant Eaton

| Apr 12, 2021

During the first time I went out, I directed a radio check. I came back clear and loud. Like the older radios, it has a scan feature enabling you to see if there are any conversations on a particular channel when you hit scan. The way to program this one is that you go to the station you intend to scan and hold the scan button down until it beeps, just as you do with your car radio. the product out to me fast and free, and it came earlier than I There is an annoying popping sound on the boat since the third time I took it out. I gave it 4 stars because of this. Checking my ground wires will see if that is the cause. The rest of the package is good value for.

Caroline Abbott

| Sep 18, 2020

The Uniden radio we had previously was much more robust and feature-rich than the one we currently have Our first one failed several years after it was installed, so we went through two more. Our WHAM was said to work with the newer UNIDEN VHF models according to its manual. I was rather looking forward to using that feature, since it still works. Having used our previous radio, which had a much better mike (and coincidentally, built in a speaker, so even in loud environments - it was easier to communicate - we got very spoiled. Found aboard a lot of ships Definately, I could hear the transmission clearly while holding the microphone to my ear), as well as a few other features not available in this bargain basement model of the mic. That being said, it works as it should and transmits and receives reliably using the same antenna as it had for the previous A replacement for the original would have been bought if the original could be found. However, I bought the Uniden model because I had been satisfied with their hardware in the past. I do not believe it was a plug-in We had to use a flush-mount because our previous radio was taller than this one however, it did fit in the flush-mount This hole fit snugly on each side, and the mounting hardware worked in exactly the same way. There is a good bargain to be found here. In any case, if you are going to use the radio heavily (often during the day), then a more feature rich radio may be necessary.

Donald Baker

| Sep 08, 2020

The process of connecting and getting NMEA to work took four days. It is impossible to follow directions, they are less than worthless, and you will spend the rest of your life trying to follow them. It might seem simple enough to connect a Garmin unit with only two wires, but don't do it.

Sarah Boyle

| Jan 31, 2021

Upon putting it in, we were in the harbor in Ventura talking to the San Pedro crew. A tiny radio like this did so well, I couldn't believe it.

Pablo Campos

| Sep 19, 2020

As part of a return policy, I ordered a second unit and chose to return it. A piece of the first unit was missing the ring you hook on to the mount, and the hand-piece was damaged. They have a problem with their plastic mold, as you can see by looking at it, as it is not smooth. The same thing happened after I installed it within 2 minutes and I returned it. I got a new one and it broke off as well. The last time I had the same unit for 15 years, it was not a problem so it would seem that these units Due to the fact that I have not used the boat in two weeks, I cannot return this since it is past the expiration date. I also have a radio that the handpiece of is not able to be connected to I am very disappointed. The first time I've ever written a negative review, I wrote about the Amazon Echo Dot.

Angie Cruz

| Aug 25, 2020