VHF EXTENSION SPEAKER

Riccardo · 4 Sep 2003

I have an ICOM VHF fitted below, and have hooked up an extension speaker in the cockpit using the plug in the back of the unit. This cuts off the sound in the speaker below. Does anyone know a method or switch that will change output from either speaker (or both at same time) without having to root at back of unit to plug/unplug?

<hr width=100% size=1>

davidwf · 5 Sep 2003

I opened up my Icom and soldered a strap accross the extension speaker socket to prevent it cutting off the internal speaker. Yes strictly speaking it messes up the output impedence and in theory could damage the amp. The reality is that these are low powered amps and quite tolerant. It worked fine for 4 years.

My new boat has a Simrad RD68 which does not cut off the internal speaker. Why all manufacters don't do this is beyond me.

<hr width=100% size=1>

Robin · 5 Sep 2003

Most sets do this though the logic for why escapes me. One solution which I was advised is to connect TWO external 8 ohm impedance speakers in parallel via the ext jack. One speaker is mounted externally and the other internally to replace the set's internal speaker which is disconnected when the jack plug is connected. I did this on our boat with two neat little plastic waterproof speakers bought in France (Accastillage Diffusion group of chandleries, shops in most locations), 8 ohm 5W capacity and current cost about £11 each. This way you do not need to open up the set and maybe invalidate the warranty, and there is no risk of damage to any of the speakers.

<hr width=100% size=1>

Guest · 5 Sep 2003

Good old Maplins ....

Buy a twin output speaker jack ..... it has one pin into the speaker socket on radio and two sockets to take a pair of pseakers suitably located.

Use a standard car speaker 8 ohm inside cabin ...... and a waterproof one external.

MAKE SURE you are well away from Compasses !!!!! I had a grounding because of a portable speaker placed under sprayhood and not realising it was right above the bulkhead compass !!!!! Swung it about 90 deg off ........... duh !!!!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

MainlySteam · 5 Sep 2003

I cannot speak for your set not knowing what model it is, plus the Icoms you get are all screwed up to meet the EU's lonely requirements (sorry about that). But the the current Icom international market fixed sets have a choice in their software set mode menu to have the internal speaker either on or off when an external speaker is also fitted. If so the manual tells you how to enter that mode, usually by turning the set on whilst holding another key in - maybe the EU requirements prohibit the user having that choice.

John

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by MainlySteam on 05/09/2003 09:38 (server time).</FONT></P>

vyv_cox · 5 Sep 2003

Re: Good old Maplins ....

Well, I suppose I could have checked, but I spent ages soldering two speaker leads into a single mini-jack plug. Moral - check the info first!

I have two speakers wired in parallel, a Navico on the chart table bulkhead and another in the cockpit. My VHF is set into a locker so that the internal speaker cannot be heard anyway.

<hr width=100% size=1>

Guest · 5 Sep 2003

I think we\'ve all done it !!

What about me out here ....

Had a pump delivered with 1" inlet / oulet connections. So I buy 1" adaptors ...... but they are UPT, Univ. Pipe Thread at 11 per inch ....., doesn't fit. So I go to the Port workshop and have adaptors made at 11.2 TPI as measured on pump. Yesterday I find that there is an agent for the same pumps in Latvia and I could have gone to him and I would have rec'd the correct fittings WITH the pump etc. if I had got it from them !!!!

You live and learn !!!!!!

I often spend time scanning maplins web-site, and others to see what goodies can be used on the boat etc. One real beauty is the junction box with seals and fit what you want inside system !!!! ideal for boat use !!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

duncan · 5 Sep 2003

hmmm.......my RD64 does cut it out!

<hr width=100% size=1>

Guest · 5 Sep 2003

Speaker cut off ...

I actually like to cut off the internal speaker .... mostly because I don't like the tinniness of the sound. I prefer my wandering lead waterproof speaker ----- put it where you want !! If anyones sleeping - you can have it with you and they can ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz !! OK my present VHF is a commercial job, Raytheon - old but small and compact as most yacting jobs - and its sound is OK - so I can live with it.

But I have had Nasa, Simrad, Seafarer, etc. and most have sounded like strangling cats in a tin can !!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

JonBrooks · 5 Sep 2003

Its not part of the EU requirement, it is just part of our spec.

Over the years many have asked to be able to have the option to allow the main speaker to be on when using an ext speaker.

If your radio is a M503 or M601 by powering on the set and hoding the "ch16" button you enter the user set mode.

Once in this mode you can you have the optiopn to change some settings to your own requirments.

If it is an older set you will have to tryone of the other methods suggested here.
Although we (Icom) do not recomend any of them.
We also have no "fix" for this.

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

MainlySteam · 5 Sep 2003

Jon, thanks for that.

Yes that is exactly as the non EU versions.

Unfortunately, I got a 502 before the 601 came out, but I have specified the 601 for a couple of commercial new builds so I will be able to have a play with them. Have an 802 which I got because of the frequency mobility - Icom gave me one of the first off the line a year or so ago now, I won't tell you the rest of the story which you probably know, but all worked out happily. All very nice radios in their class, especially the 802 which is distinctive in the market (I have no connection with Icom).

John

<hr width=100% size=1>

dickh · 5 Sep 2003

Re: Speaker cut off ...

Nigel, this is exactly what I do, I have a small speaker(from car boot - 0.50p) with a wander lead, and just leave it plugged in, and move it from cockpit to inside when necessary. Works fine and is a much better speaker than the built in one. Can usually be heard both inside and outside most of the time.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

duncan · 5 Sep 2003

Re: welcome to the forum Jon (nm)

<hr width=100% size=1>

JonBrooks · 5 Sep 2003

Re: welcome to the forum Jon (nm)

Thank you for the welcome.
I hope I can be of help with radio related postings and Icom questions.

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741

EdEssery · 5 Sep 2003

I had a similar problem. One of my projects last year was to fix it. I purchased two external loudspeakers (8 ohm) and mounted one at the chart table and one in the cockpit. Using a couple of switches I bought in Maplins (a DPST On/Off and a DPDT On/On), I wired the speakers so that I could have either one of the speakers on or have them both on. The circuit does not allow both to be turned off which could blow your output amplifier. Because the output stage of my Swiftech VHF is rated 4-8 ohm the solution is in spec in both configurations. A single speaker presents a 8 ohm load and both speakers present a 4 ohm load so there's no risk of grief from the VHF manufacturer. This solution gives ultimate flexibility.

Under way in normal circumstances we have both speakers on, under way with somebody sleeping/resting below we have only the cockpit speaker on and in harbour if we want to listen to the VHF below without distrubing boats around us, we have only the saloon speaker on.

The On/On switch is labelled Cockpit/Saloon and the On/Off switch is labelled Single/Both. If anybody is interested I could knock up a wiring diagram and mail it and/or provide the Maplin Part numbers for the switches.

Best wishes,

Ed

<hr width=100% size=1>

Talbot · 7 Sep 2003

circuit/part numbers would be very useful, as this is next winters project (or at least one of them).

<hr width=100% size=1>

kdf · 8 Sep 2003

You didn't specify which Icom you have - does it support the Icom commandmic option?

<hr width=100% size=1>

gunnarsilins · 8 Sep 2003

Done exactly this. With the switch I either choose only the inside speaker, or both (in parallell). Impedance (speakers are 8 ohm) does not seem to give any problems.
Set is a ICOM M50

<hr width=100% size=1>

EdEssery · 8 Sep 2003

I have posted a wiring diagram with part numbers on my web site at:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.essery.demon.co.uk/VHFSpeaker.pdf>http://www.essery.demon.co.uk/VHFSpeaker.pdf</A>

Enjoy!

Ed

<hr width=100% size=1>

Talbot · 9 Sep 2003

Thank you very much!

<hr width=100% size=1>

VHF EXTENSION SPEAKER

New member

Active member

Well-known member

Guest

Guest

New member

Well-known member

Guest

Guest

Active member

Guest

Guest

New member

New member

New member

Active member

New member

Member

Active member

New member

New member

Member

Active member

Other threads that may be of interest

Share this page