Std Horizon GX2150 Ram3 issues

[Skipper]

Bought the GX2150 about 5 years ago.
It has since new had issues with the Ram3. The volume level is useless, only attenuating slightly at full range.
Also, squelch reverts back to original level after 5 seconds. Useless.
I've used it of course, by setting the levels at the head unit and leaving it.
I contacted SH when the unit was new, and they said send it all to them for inspection.
I pretty much said GFY; I'm not going to uninstall it and ship it to you. Send me a new Ram3, or some other process.
They refused.
So it occurred to me to ask here. Actually I may have previously. I can't remember.
Why are these 2 functions useless? Anyone else experience this?
The system was installed per factory recs.

 

[gettinthere]

same exact problem with nonsensical answer from tech support

 

[LeslieTroyer]

Haven’t noticed a problem with mine. The P.O. installed it so no idea on the RM#. I’ll check it next time I’m on the boat

Mahalo

 

[bawlmer]

I have the exact same set up that you have and mine works perfectly. Dumb question; Where did you install the ferrite that came with the mic? The mic and the radio functions sync digitally and any kind of interference will wreak havoc with it. Does this happen when the engine is running? The ferrite is often overlooked but is critically important to the operation of the RAM mic. Unless your radio is flush mounted it really isn't that hard to unmount your radio and unplug your mic and send it back. Just my .02.

 

[jssailem]

I have the 2200gx version. Work perfectly. @bawlmer is right about the ferrite wrap over the wire from the mike plug to the radio.

If SH is willing to Examine and repair the unit seems reasonable to give it a try.

 

[Mark Maulden]

Look at it through their eyes. You are demanding another RAM without sending one in. Looks to them like you’re trying to scam a free one....Bawlmer touched on a good test. Make sure the installation is per spec and the ferrite is installed. Make sure the ferrite case actually snaps shut otherwise, its worthless. Everything failing, the last test is do this on a dead boat (every breaker off) and see if it still happens. If it works on a dead boat, we’ll go from there..I have a SH 1600 with RAM and it works fine.

 

[Skipper]

I have the exact same set up that you have and mine works perfectly. Dumb question; Where did you install the ferrite that came with the mic? The mic and the radio functions sync digitally and any kind of interference will wreak havoc with it. Does this happen when the engine is running? The ferrite is often overlooked but is critically important to the operation of the RAM mic. Unless your radio is flush mounted it really isn't that hard to unmount your radio and unplug your mic and send it back. Just my .02.

The ferrite is at the Ram3 end of the extension. It's right where they said to put it.
Happens engine on or off. Engine is mostly off as you'd expect.

I didn't want to remove, package up, drive to UPS, ship 3,000 miles away
(I was in Annapolis at the time, and SH in Cypress, CA. We brought us and the boat to CA 3 yrs ago) for an unknown time period, for minor issues. They should have supported me remotely, on nearly $500 worth of brand new gear.
Anyway it's out of warranty by now.

 

[Skipper]

Look at it through their eyes. You are demanding another RAM without sending one in. Looks to them like you’re trying to scam a free one....Bawlmer touched on a good test. Make sure the installation is per spec and the ferrite is installed. Make sure the ferrite case actually snaps shut otherwise, its worthless. Everything failing, the last test is do this on a dead boat (every breaker off) and see if it still happens. If it works on a dead boat, we’ll go from there..I have a SH 1600 with RAM and it works fine.

They could have looked in their database for previous incidents of same problem. I suspected the Ram3, and if their info also suspects it then they could send me a new one. Obviously I'd send the old one back first.
I'm not going to be without a radio for an entire season (unknown) for small issues. Especially after I just bought and installed it all.
What scam? It was brand new. Just exchange it. It's a $100 mic. How many boaters are scamming a multi billion dollar company out of Ram mics?
I've had this type of good service from other companies.

The dead boat idea is good. I'll have to try that.
Although the issues do not act like interference. The symptoms are consistent, and not erratic.

 

[gettinthere]

My 2150 is flush mounted and difficult to remove at the nav station. Plus there is the cable to the ram mic that goes all over the boat and would take at least 2 hours to remove. SH tech support said NOTHING about ferrites when I described my problem of the squelch resetting all the time. They told me to just turn up the squelch at the base radio, so I have the squelch almost all the way up which is not proper use. I called twice and got the runaround from tech support both times with plenty of condescending attitude. Total time to pull the radio, cable and mic would be at least 4 hours plus re-install time. It would be nice to know if the problem is in the radio or in the ram mic or if a ferrite would fix the issue but I got nothing from SH support.

 

[Skipper]

My 2150 is flush mounted and difficult to remove at the nav station. Plus there is the cable to the ram mic that goes all over the boat and would take at least 2 hours to remove. SH tech support said NOTHING about ferrites when I described my problem of the squelch resetting all the time. They told me to just turn up the squelch at the base radio, so I have the squelch almost all the way up which is not proper use. I called twice and got the runaround from tech support both times with plenty of condescending attitude. Total time to pull the radio, cable and mic would be at least 4 hours plus re-install time. It would be nice to know if the problem is in the radio or in the ram mic or if a ferrite would fix the issue but I got nothing from SH support.

Yup. Same here.
The extension would have been a pain to remove. And then reinstall. Plus all the other hassles mentioned.

 

[bawlmer]

I would not mess with the extension cable. I am sure they have one on their bench. Just send the mic itself and the radio. Also after 5 years the warranty is long gone. I can't believe if both of you have the same problem with the same setup that SH does not have any documentation on it. I used to have a service company and we looked for trends like that. It helped us troubleshoot "strange" problems. Another dumb question. Did you cut and re-attach the extension cable? I remember it was tricky to re-attach and I was an electronics tech. The fact that your volume does not attenuate may indicate a missing ground or shield. If you did not cut the cable then please disregard.

 

[jssailem]

SH offers extension cables of varying lengths. Sure they cost extra, but they are available so the user does not have to cut and reconnect the cable. Error is a high probability. Especially with the RAM3Mic. It is sending multiple data streams in addition to control/power/sound.

 

[Skipper]

I didn't cut the cable.

Although I did tap into it to power an iPad.
Just kidding. :-D stupid joke.

 

[gettinthere]

I did not cut the cable

 

[jeepbluetj]

Hey Skipper, I've got 2 Ram3 mics (the one I use and a spare) - I do not have that problem with either of them. I also have the GX2150 so we have the exact same setup. I'd be happy to stop by your boat and let you try my mics to see if they fix your problem. Just let me know. (Heck, I was just down at my boat, but I'm only 15 min away from Dana Point).

 

[gettinthere]

Hey Skipper, I've got 2 Ram3 mics (the one I use and a spare) - I do not have that problem with either of them. I also have the GX2150 so we have the exact same setup. I'd be happy to stop by your boat and let you try my mics to see if they fix your problem. Just let me know. (Heck, I was just down at my boat, but I'm only 15 min away from Dana Point).

Please let me know the results.

Also; some of the time my problems seem to get worse over the course of a day. There are times when the radio seems to work fine for several hours and then develops these symptoms. Other times they happen right away.

 

[Skipper]

Hey Skipper, I've got 2 Ram3 mics (the one I use and a spare) - I do not have that problem with either of them. I also have the GX2150 so we have the exact same setup. I'd be happy to stop by your boat and let you try my mics to see if they fix your problem. Just let me know. (Heck, I was just down at my boat, but I'm only 15 min away from Dana Point).

That would be fantastic. Very generous. I'll PM you.

 

[bawlmer]

Please let us all know what you find out.

 

[Skipper]

Please let us all know what you find out.

Ok.

 

[Skipper]

Ok Jeepblue came over and we tested his Ram3 mic on my system.
It was the Ram3 mic that was the problem. His worked perfectly.

He has 2 so he's letting me use his spare (fabulous guy) while I tell the story to SH, that we've proven it was the mic acting up since new, and see if they'll send me a new one.
I'm nearly certain they'll snicker at me, being 4+ years past warranty, but we'll see Monday.