Extra vhf radio

[cagey]

I’ve been toying for some time with having a mic at the helm. Radio is below at chart table and there have been times when this was a clumsy arrangement. I single hand most of the time and can’t be in 2 places at once.
My questions are.
how easy to run second mic or
Another radio at helm, I have one thats never been used, how hard to piggy back off antenna or should I install another antenna but in a different place.
If I use second radio will this cause weird problems between the two.
Advice please.
Thanks
Keith

 

[pvb]

If your radio will accept a remote mic (many will), that's probably the easiest solution. Alternatively, a good handheld is an option for cockpit use.

 

[cagey]

Yep, tried the remote unfortunately there isn’t a provision. I have a couple af handhelds and have found them not quite satisfactory, ideal for tender but important comms over a period of time they start to fail after prolonged use, new batteries, quality pruducts nothing seems to have the stamina necessary

 

[pvb]

Yep, tried the remote unfortunately there isn’t a provision. I have a couple af handhelds and have found them not quite satisfactory, ideal for tender but important comms over a period of time they start to fail after prolonged use, new batteries, quality pruducts nothing seems to have the stamina necessary

If you were prepared to buy a second radio and fiddle about with an antenna splitter, etc, it might be better in the long run to buy a new radio with a remote mic.

 

[cagey]

Thanks but as posted I already have an unused radio, originally bought for RIB but never used.
Antenna splitter I have one installed for AIS would that be usefull.
Thanks

 

[pvb]

Antenna splitter I have one installed for AIS would that be usefull.

Don't think so. And I wouldn't use two splitters on the same antenna.

You could sell your old radio and the unused one....

 

[Heckler]

I’ve been toying for some time with having a mic at the helm. Radio is below at chart table and there have been times when this was a clumsy arrangement. I single hand most of the time and can’t be in 2 places at once.
My questions are.
how easy to run second mic or
Another radio at helm, I have one thats never been used, how hard to piggy back off antenna or should I install another antenna but in a different place.
If I use second radio will this cause weird problems between the two.
Advice please.
Thanks
Keith

Mine came with an Icom downstairs and a cheapo bolted to the binnacle by the wheel with a cheapo antenna on the pushpit. Worked fine, good range even from the pushpit except prolonged use of the wheel radio crashed the chart plotter. Stray stuff to the gps antenna I think. Eventually I have ended up with a SH 2200e downstairs, pcks up gps ok there, with a ram mike to the cockpit. Use the masthead antenna, the ram mike is superb. The spare pushpit antenna, I have put an SMA antenna crossover on and tucked it away, if ever I need another radio I can plug it in to my handheld. The SH also feeds ais in to a wireless transmitter to feed ipads nd tabs around the boat
Stu

 

[DickieT]

Do not even consider a splitter. With only a receive splitter you will end up with two very faulty radios as one feeds it’s transmit output into the other. Even an active AIS splitter is not designed for the type of application you are considering.
Either go for a totally independent system with its own aerial. - at least this gives you back. Or, my choice would be many of the radios available with remote mic.

 

[CCJ]

I’ve been toying for some time with having a mic at the helm. Radio is below at chart table and there have been times when this was a clumsy arrangement. I single hand most of the time and can’t be in 2 places at once.
My questions are.
how easy to run second mic or
Another radio at helm, I have one thats never been used, how hard to piggy back off antenna or should I install another antenna but in a different place.
If I use second radio will this cause weird problems between the two.
Advice please.
Thanks
Keith

A good reliable A/H will enable you to use the main set + HH VHF for cockpit needs, port control ect

 

[Boathook]

I’ve been toying for some time with having a mic at the helm. Radio is below at chart table and there have been times when this was a clumsy arrangement. I single hand most of the time and can’t be in 2 places at once.
My questions are.
how easy to run second mic or
Another radio at helm, I have one thats never been used, how hard to piggy back off antenna or should I install another antenna but in a different place.
If I use second radio will this cause weird problems between the two.
Advice please.
Thanks
Keith

I purchased the Icom M423 quite a few years back along with the command mike. Not cheap, but I have full control of the radio at the helm using the command mike plus down below using the main 'unit'. This set up has just about made my handheld vhf redundant.

 

[FulmarJeddo]

You obviously don't want to buy another radio. As already explained you shouldn't use a splitter on the same aerial. Two radios on separate aerials will work, however you need to keep the volume controls down low otherwise you will get feedback when you transmit on one of them if on the same channel. You probably need to keep a reasonable spacing between the aerials to prevent the full power of the Tx going down the Rx. One other thing to consider when using a radio in the cockpit is wind noise can seriously affect the transmit quality.

 

[Gallant Spirit]

https://damsu.co.uk/two-way-radio/a...y-antenna-switch-with-so239.html#.WnTOroLLiRs

this is what you want to fit, select between radios as required

 

[William_H]

The best answer is to fit the radio you have to the binnacle and connect it to a push pit mounted antenna. The spacing of the mast top antenna to the push pit should avert any interference problems. (but you can't be sure) This arrangemewnt will give you a standby antenna on the push pit which will be usable in the case of dismasting so very desirable. As said don't even consider a splitter or even a coax switch although that would be OK. Get another antenna or make your own as I did. olewill

 

[prv]

Two radios on separate aerials will work, however you need to keep the volume controls down low otherwise you will get feedback when you transmit on one of them if on the same channel.

Although if a boat had multiple VHFs fitted, one would presumably emulate big-ship practice and have each one on a different channel anyway.

Pete

 

[LadyInBed]

If your mic is just a simple 4 wire job you could cut the cable, terminate with ip65 4 wire plug and socket then run an extension cable to helm terminated with ip65 4 wire plug and socket.

 

[ShinyShoe]

How often do you actually need to VHF at the chart table.

 

[Norman_E]

If your mic is just a simple 4 wire job you could cut the cable, terminate with ip65 4 wire plug and socket then run an extension cable to helm terminated with ip65 4 wire plug and socket.

The problem with that is you would have to go below to change channels or adjust volume.

 

[pvb]

The problem with that is you would have to go below to change channels or adjust volume.

All depends on the mic features. A lot of them have channel up/down buttons, but of course you can't easily see which channel the set is on.

 

[Daverw]

How often do you actually need to VHF at the chart table.

I would move the radio upstairs where you will use it most

 

[prv]

How often do you actually need to VHF at the chart table.

Rarely is it necessary - like people fitting plotters there, a single station at the chart table is another hangover from when electronics were fragile and delicate things that needed to be kept dry.

That said, it can occasionally be convenient. A couple of years ago I found myself acting as relay for a Pan-Pan call, and it was useful to be able to sit below on my own away from the distraction of others in the cockpit, and have a pencil to hand to write down positions etc to pass on.

So I think the best setup for a yacht without a large crew is one control station reachable from the helm and one at the chart table. In a small tiller-steered boat this could be one set just inside the hatch. Otherwise, given the likely more limited mounting space available in the cockpit, it would typically be the main radio down below, and a remote station handset (able to control all the functions of the radio) in the cockpit.

Pete