Simrad RD68 VHF Handset (FTM5) wire insulation perished to fist mic

[MagicalArmchair]

It must be lockdown! The insulation has perished and come away on part of the handset cable of my aging Simrad RD68 set... I can find no decent reason to replace the whole thing, and if it wasn't lockdown, I might just wrap some insulating tape around it and go sailing, however, here we are...

... can you just buy the handset? Or just replace the wire?

 

[Jamie Dundee]

A quick search reveals this, although I can’t vouch for the reliability of the supplier. Marine VHF Fist Mic for Simrad RD68 (Replaces FTM 5) Fully Compatible

 

[Norman_E]

Replacement mikes are available on e-bay, but at around £85 seem a bit dear. Marine VHF Fist Mic for Simrad RD68 (Replaces FTM 5) Fully Compatible | eBay.

People have done a DIY repair by purchasing a generic curly cable. Only three wires are connected and you can open up the mike and solder the three wires, and can do the same to reuse the original plug.
See this thread on cruisers forum. Simrad VHF Handpiece Spiral Cable sheath disintegrating - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

 

[pvb]

A quick search reveals this, although I can’t vouch for the reliability of the supplier. Marine VHF Fist Mic for Simrad RD68 (Replaces FTM 5) Fully Compatible

BEWARE! This is a scam website. Don't order from it.

 

[jwilson]

If you can't find a reliable seller of a replacement mic and cable I have in the loft a complete Simrad RD68 in good condition, removed working when I fitted a new VHF with AIS receive. I was going to sell it on Ebay but did not bother because it has my MMSI entered. PM me if interested - I could get it down and check the mic cable is good, though I'm sure it is.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

BEWARE! This is a scam website. Don't order from it.

I have to say it seemed a little odd, hence my comment. The search result shows ‘cactus.ir’. All the other results showed the mike as being out of stock.

 

[William_H]

I would suggest pursue a replacement mic. They seem to be the most vulnerable part of any VHF set. I look after our club fleet radios and have replaced several mics mostly ICOM and Uniden. My chandler can get them at what would be about 30 squid. I don't think you will acheive a good repair using generic curly cord as it is the molded entrance to the mic and to the plug that are impossible to replicate. These take all the load. ol'will

 

[prv]

They seem to be the most vulnerable part of any VHF set.

Particularly so on these RD68s. They must have used some particularly defective rubber compound, because they all fail like this. We had a disintegrated one on Ariam when we bought her, and I have another on my shelf here.

Pete

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Thank you all, I have contacted Simrad to see what they can suggest. @jwilson that would be kind if you could check the cables condition for me please? Happy to pay for it if it's in good condition. I find the idea of junking the whole VHF set for the sake of the fist mic a bit bonkers (although it's a tempting excuse to purchase more boat toys )

 

[Dan Tribe]

This is a common and well known fault. Some while ago I managed to contact Simrad by phone. A very pleasant guy agreed that it was a common problem and said that they would replace it free of charge, even though it was out of warranty.
"Just pop into one of our sevice centres."
Nearest one was Stockholm.
"No, can't offer a postal service."
Cheaper to buy a new SH radio.

 

[Chris CJ]

I had a similar problem with the curly lead perishing on our simrad radio , after a lot of research I found on eBay a chap in Peieaus Greece who sold various different curly radio leads , wasn’t cheap £80ish and approx £20 postage. I was a little concerned , but it did arrive within a few days by fedex and more importantly it did the job and I have a fully functioning radio once again.

 

[PaulRainbow]

It's an old radio, i took one out of my last boat, that was fitted in 2003 (chances of getting any joy out of Simrad are slightly less than nil, IMO). I think they are a horrible little radio, with ridiculously small buttons and even smaller text, so hard to read, so fiddly to use. I wouldn't spend money on a new mic, i'd buy a new Standard Horizon VHF

 

[rogerthebodger]

In additional to my Standard Horizon VHF I also have a Simrad 8300 where the curly cable cover has perished.

I found a U Tube link showing how to make a curly cable and the lnk in Cruising forum linked to the plug so during the lockdown I am considering trying to make a new curly cables for both hand sets and to get new plugs to refurbish.

I know the radio is very old but is only a backup

 

[bluerm166]

With this same issue of perished outer sheath to the curly cable on RD68 handset I have a reluctance to ditch what I consider ,with limited experience, a nicely made radio. I have read the threads on the above mentioned link and although I can buy the new plug for £12 ish I'm sure that I haven't the soldering skills involved.
Since the straight lengths of cable at each end are undamaged and easy to reinforce can the electronics experts advise whether splicing in a curly cable ,presumably with similar characteristics to the existing ,and retaining the terminal fittings is at all a starter - or would questions of interference /resistance prevent success .And if possible ,how would one make the splice to best effect ?
At some stage there would be little to lose .

 

[William_H]

With this same issue of perished outer sheath to the curly cable on RD68 handset I have a reluctance to ditch what I consider ,with limited experience, a nicely made radio. I have read the threads on the above mentioned link and although I can buy the new plug for £12 ish I'm sure that I haven't the soldering skills involved.
Since the straight lengths of cable at each end are undamaged and easy to reinforce can the electronics experts advise whether splicing in a curly cable ,presumably with similar characteristics to the existing ,and retaining the terminal fittings is at all a starter - or would questions of interference /resistance prevent success .And if possible ,how would one make the splice to best effect ?
At some stage there would be little to lose .

Well from my experience far better to buy a new microphone with plug connected. They tend to mold cable and plug and microphone into a very robust cord. Not possible to do anything so strong with splicing. As this is the most common source of radio problems not worth risking further failures. A new mic here for typical cheap brands in 40 squid. In many cases the cord goes through a grommet into the radio to attach to the board with a telephone type connector. I realise your radio cord problems are different but I still think repair of cable is not a good long term solution. ol'will

 

[bluerm166]

Can only agree with your comment but .....
Many have searched for such a compatible handset but without success . This is a niggling project related to recycling rather than a solution for offshore cruising .

 

[Sean Cashin]

If you can't find a reliable seller of a replacement mic and cable I have in the loft a complete Simrad RD68 in good condition, removed working when I fitted a new VHF with AIS receive. I was going to sell it on Ebay but did not bother because it has my MMSI entered. PM me if interested - I could get it down and check the mic cable is good, though I'm sure it is.

Noted your comments. Do you still have the mic? Thanks