Fitting a VHF with a cockpit command mic.

[vyv_cox]

<<< Mine has the wires for a remote speaker, but I havent bothered with them as the handset speaker is loud enough. >>

I find the sound to be very tinny, as you would expect with such a small speaker. Distortion occurs when the volume is turned up. I had an installed speaker from the previous setup, so wanted to connect it anyway. Unfortunately it doesn't work but SH have been helpful over the phone.

 

[bigmart]

I fitted a separate Loudspeaker to mine but I find the Speaker in the Handset has a better sound than the separate job.

Martin

 

[rwoofer]

[ QUOTE ]

I agree - great bit of kit, but havent got around to wiring the RAM on the new boat, because it means feeding the cable with a big fat bonded plug through some small holes !!

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the same problem Nick, with the added complication that the cable is not quite long enough. Does anyone know if you can split the cable and rejoin? Is it a multicore cable or a co-ax type?

 

[Bejasus]

I have this one which is an Intrepid in the US.

with this ram mike.

works fine. At least I know I can contact the USCG with it /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[iangrant]

oh me memory!!!! Seem to remember it was a multicore from a plug on the back of the vhf to a nasty big socket for the RAM end. Only one thing for it - chop off some outer sheath and see! In any event i'm sure it can be extended.

Ian

 

[SwedishLass]

Have SH3500, The extra wires for the speaker give you the choice of speaker through ram or external in the cockpit, configurable through ram. Wired mine up, but always use ram therefore I will probably wire cockpit speaker to stereo for next season as ram speaker more than good enough. New boat has Icom M601 with ram mic, only finance stopping me changing to SH. Very rarely do I need to use main set directly unless down below.

Dsc call can be made through ram using menu system.

 

[SwedishLass]

IIRC extension cables available from SH, due to multiplicity of functions I suspect cable is multicore, forumite works for Yaesu / SH (JonBrooks, very helpful when I had a query.)

 

[tjfmmaes]

I actually bought an extension lead for the mic cable as it was about 2m too short. Works fine but I am sure some soldering and a multicore cable would do the trick.

 

[Billjratt]

don't disregard the furuno, you may even get one second hand.

 

[charles_reed]

I've the Icom M505 with the 162 commandmic and that certainly does all you specified besides accepting GPS data on 0183 and NMEA2000.

 

[Talulah]

We have the Icom 603 which uses the same command mic as the 505 set.
The hand mic is loud enough in the cockpit to not need an external speaker and the set itself is intuitive and easy to use.
On the negative side two rows of pixels on the LCD display of the hand mic stopped working after two weeks. The mic was swapped over no problem but I have had 2 vhf sets and 1 ssb set from Icom and all of them have had some fault that has had to be rectified.
Also, on the previous set the plastic type electrical socket for the command mic to plug into became brittle over time. Bits of it broke off and it was then possible to connect the command mic in the wrong position resulting in blowing some power transistors in the base unit.
The first time Icom repaired the set FOC. The second time Icom provided instructions and one of our guys did it.
The new set has a similar connector for the command mic although slightly bigger. I anticipate this will suffer the same damage from UV.
Other than that I really like the Icom sets. They are specialist manufacturers of radio equipment rather than the radio side being just another product amongst others. Hence they should get it right.