Hailer / vhf options

skennelly

Is anyone running a VHF with hailer function?

I'm going to upgrade my radio and am thinking about getting one with hailer / PA ability.

This past weekend...had an incident where I was returning to my slip and a neighboring boat was leaving and though not a big deal and we communicated...I think it would be nice to be able to jump on the PA to communicate.

But I don't want to be fiddling around with menu buttons to get the radio in that mode...are there any options where the PA is a "hot" button...as in a single button that puts the radio into that mode?

Thoughts would be appreciated.

Stodge

I got a Standard Horizon 2150 for the AIS functions.  It has a hailer so I added a hailer horn to my radar arch.  I have a PA soft key to get to the PA function on the VHF.  

LaRea

On my ICOM 604, it's two button presses ("Function" "Hailer").  But the 604 is now out of production, replaced by the 605 which requires a menu dance.  Not to mention it's big and stupid-expensive. 

I do like having the hailer.  BTW it also functions as a listening device.  

skennelly

Thanks...I'll checking into the standard horizon line...sounds like that's pretty close what I'm looking for.  Thanks @Stodge and @LaRea