Radios-AM or FM?

[SColby]

I just helped a guy here at work find and purchase a boat and he is still in need of a radio. The boat runs on gas. I know with my boats that I use AM and really haven't had any problems that I can think of but my boats run on nitro. Does this make any or much difference? I am also trying to keep it as inexpensive for him as I can. Either way, which radio(s) do you recommend and what is everyone else using?

BTW this guy is a beginner boater and I need to try to keep it all as simple and easy as possible. That's one reason I went with gas.

Thanks for the help.

 

[snowdog-2112]

Steve,

Put an FM or PCM radio in his hand. An AM radio receiver will be more prone to interference due to the spark plug in the engine. I know there are ways to minimize the interference but it will be more work/money than it's worth.

Snowdog

 

[topfuel443]

Id agree with Bryan on this one.... You can find a good FM radio fairly cheap these days. If he buys AM, he will probably eventually spend money on an FM later down the road. might as well get it in the first place....

Kudos to you for bringing in a new guy to the sport!!

Get him on here.....

~James

 

[Ron Olson]

If he accideanlt puts a non-resistor plug in, cracks a plug or if the cap comes loose, he'll be glad that he got an FM or PCM radio but he might not see the difference fortunately. It simply does not pay to have an expensive boat with a cheap radio.

The FM radios are now geting close in price to the AM's. Even a low $ one like a Hi-Tec Agressor in FM is fairly cheap and a better than an AM.

 

[SColby]

Thanks for the info. What about my nitro boats? Is there any advantage to having FM? What I have now I am not going to switch but i do have in my mind on getting a new programmable radio for all of them.