ICOM RAM Mike problem

[Jeff Bacon]

Hi All:My ICOM RAM mike has stopped working..... partially.I can transmit, but cannot receive. Actually, with the volume turned WAY up, I can barely hear someone calling me, but for all intents and purposes, there is no reception.All cables are tightAll connections have been removed and reattachedAntenna connections are tightRadio has been turned off and on a number of timesThe radio itself will transmit and receive normally..... it is only the RAM mike that is not working.I have tried unsuccessfully to find someone that I can swap mikes with as a test. So, can anyone offer a potential problem resolution, or an idea or two for diagnosis ?Thanks for any helpJeffs/v Manatee

 

[Ernie T.]

I've had other problems

I've had problems with my RAM mic too. My problem was that I couldn't reliably change channels or volume from the mic. It would sometimes just turn the whole unit off. I gambled on a new mic being the solution and it paid off.You can soetimes find a new unit on EBay pretty cheap (that's where I found mine)Ernie T.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

separate speaker and microphone

I never noticed but assume the mic and speaker are separate entities in which case it sounds from your description only the speaker is bad - probably a bad internal connection if you can faintly hear it. Try taking it apart and inspect the connections.

 

[jwsircely13221]

My ICON RAM Mike reacts the same identical way

My ICOM RAM mike malfinctions exactly the same as Jeff'sI have not called or done anything about it. It being doing it for a year..

 

[Shippy]

same problem - repair

I had the same problem and was fortunate enough to have 2 RAM mics (I think previous owner was troubleshooting same problem when he sold). anyway, same problem in that RAM had no volume but could broadcast fine. If I blasted the volume below, I could barely hear the RAM. I contacted ICOM, pulled the unit and sent it to them for repair. I think it cost about $85 plus shipping to get repaired. Description of repairs required  no command mic function confirmed - ic4 defective - needs replacing took about 2 weeks if I recall.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Welcome to the wonderfull world of corrosion

Take a #2 pencile eraser to the mike connections at the radio and at the mike end. Yes I know they look clean and are not green or anything but after 20+ years in the military and dealing with handsets in all kinds of environs the #2 eraser is the only thing that works all the time.DO NOT put anything that will conduct on them to prevent corrosion. i think WD-40 conducts but am not sure. I find a generous mittenfull of the General Motors connection grease is the long term answer but that stuff is pricy.

 

[Bob La Salle]

Here's my 2 cents

I had a problem with my Icom RAM mic until I started doing this. Everytime I connect or disconnect the mic to the helm plug, I spray both ends with WD-40. I do the same on all electrical connections, such as shore power cords, cable TV, etc. I have not had any problems since. My boat is in Florida where there is a bad corrosive environment, but this is a cheap and easy preventive maintenance idea.I had to replace my original RAM mic because one of the pins broke off in the connector, I managed to get it out with tweezers and lots of WD-40, now it works great, but in the meantime I spent $99 at West Marine for a replacement, so now I have a spare.Hope this helps.

 

[Don]

Icom Ram Mic

I have the same problem with my Icom radio. I sent it in for repair and the technician seemed to understand the problem. I got the radio back and the problem was still there. I bought another ICOM radio and it worked fine with the Mic. I do have corrosion challenges, but keep electronic spray around to clean out the connections before putting the Mic away. Seems to help.I am sure my problem was in the remote mic circuitry of the radio since the communications at the base unit was just fine.