Standard Horizon VHF plus external speaker?

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Cspirit

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I'm fitting a Standard Horizon GX1500e VHF plus the CPM25 RAM - remote access microphone/speaker for the cockpit (and by the way, both appear to be excellent bits of kit). My question is this: both the fixed VHF and the cockpit mounted RAM have wires to which an external cockpit speaker can be attached. Has anyone done this with this SH kit? The RAM has an integral speaker but I wonder if this is powerful enough in use (i.e when it's blowing and rough and when you really need it).
 
I have the SH 2500 with RAM and it is plenty loud enough, we have never used full volume.
 
I have the same units. The set inside the boat is on a remote speaker, because it was there already and it makes it easier to hear sitting at the chart table. The RAM mic has a remote speaker attached to it but it has never worked (see my post further down) SH have now replaced the mic so hoping it will be OK now. Meanwhile we have been using the RAM mic's internal speaker. It's very small so a bit tinny and its location near the cockpit sole means it is not close to our ears. However, it is a big improvement on trying to hear the one below. It's plenty loud but definitely not Hifi.
 
Yes I have done this with a SH GX1500. The main unit in the cabin is connected to an external speaker in the cockpit and this operates whether or not the RAM mike is attached. Works just fine.
 
This is the arrangement I had with my old VHF. Problem is the remote is always on, so annoys people outside.

I should have made it more clear, the GX 1500 goes to a remote speaker at the chart table and the RAM goes to another in the cockpit. The RAM can turn the remote on/off as required.
 
I find the RAM speaker plenty loud enough when sailing or with the engine running, never had it any where near full volume, or half maximum for that matter. RAM mike located at about knee height
 
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I thought the same but the RAM mike is very loud. I can certainly hear mine OK!

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Yes - the volume on the RAM seems adequate - in fact, I thought the volume from the 1500 (inbuilt speaker) seemed quiet in comparison, so I might fit an additional speaker to the base unit.

(Wireing up to a CP180 plotter was a breeze, BTW)
 
The RAM speaker is fine; you tend to have it handy anyway. I find the integral speaker to be very poor and have added an external speaker.

However, DSC is such a pain at sea in many places I turn the VHF off altogether. As a cruising couple with one often resting, you can't keep acknowledging every DSC alert for a weather forecast.
 
Excellent choice sir! Same as me and I'm utterly delighted with it.

I've wired it as follows: Main rig inside using the built in speaker. External speaker outside. RAM (Remote Access Microphone) outside mounted in cockpit cubby with the clip outside so I can see the channel.

Wiring. There are two external speaker wires: one from the rig, one from the microphone socket. The one from the rig is controlled from the volume control on the rig. However the cable from the RAM has a separate volume control on the external microphone, so this is the one you need most of the time.

BUT... if the external speaker is connected to the RAM, it WON'T work if the RAM isn't plugged in (technically I think this is because there's a power amplifier in the microphone).

SO... I've connected a two position switch to switch the external speaker from the RAM cable or from the rig cable. This means that I can use the external speaker if the RAM gets lost/broken/whatever.

In use it's just the mutts knutts. At last I have a radio that I can change the volume on outside without going down below. I can also change channels without going below. Those few seconds make a hell of a difference when you're in a harbour or need to switch over in an emergency -- MOB for instance. I can also turn the volume down when sailing near the Solent so I don't need to listen to endless repeats of "radio cheque please".

The best thing I've fitted to the boat so far.
 
I have the GX2400 and a RAM4 remote mic in the cockpit. I have connected a marine grade Alpine 30W 4Ohm speaker to the External Speaker wires which are integrated in the RAM4 extension cable.
I use the external speaker for the PA function and as a FOG HORN or with the softkey HORN function.
It all works beautifully and volume can be changed in the menu on the fixed unit or the external mic.

The external mic speaker is really loud and clear, I don't need the external speaker in normal communications.

I only have one question, the manual says that an External Speaker and/or PA HORN can be fitted - I just wanted to know if the two devices play the same outputs. The speaker I have is connected to the External Speaker wires but functions as a Horn and PA.
 
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