Swiftech web site?

[nigelmercier]

I've got a Swiftech M-298 H/H as an emergency VHF radio on board. I've never used it, and now I can't find the manual.

I want to check if it's waterproof - if not I'm going to replace it with one that is. Anyone know their web site?

 

[Csail]

Just weather proof i think...
http://www.reliancemarine.com/Product/2294/Silva-Swiftech-M298-Handheld-VHF-Radio/View.aspx

 

[DaveS]

I have two of these, and can state categorically that they are not waterproof. Two years ago my dinghy got swamped coming off the beach on Taransay. My h/h VHF was in an "Aquamate" waterproof bag, which turned out to be not in fact waterproof, but allowed a teaspoonful or so of sea to leak in. Given that immersion time was only a few seconds this was disappointing to put it mildly. Ten minutes later, back aboard and sorting out the wet gear, the exterior battery terminals were seen to be fizzing merrily and one had turned bright green. A prompt rinse in fresh water and drying in the sun and wind left the radio working, but all the plating had been removed from the terminal that had gone green.

To be honest the radio itself could probably fairly be described as "nearly splashproof" but the completely unprotected battery terminals make this a bit pointless. I have been thinking of putting a blob of silicone sealer or some such over the terminals, which were presumably designed for a plug in charging cradle, but which are not used with the charger supplied.

 

[nigelmercier]

Thanks for the tips, I'll replace it with my Uniden Atlantis 250 that I bought in the US. I think it is dumb to have emergency gear in Aquapak bags, as they never get charged!

 

[DaveS]

Obviously I take it out the bag to charge it... or did until I discovered that the bag leaked. Not a hole, incidentally: investigation showed a weep through the corrugated seal mechanism. There do not appear to be any foreign bodies or moulding imperfections, and an attempt to "firm up" the grip by putting a couple of layers of tape over the gripping ridges made no difference.