I think most sailboat owners mount their VHF radio in the cabin near the nav table. This presents a unique problem for me that I would like feeback on. First, what do you do so you can hear the radio (mount an external speaker with installed wiring or turn the radio up very loud, run temporary wire to a speaker sitting in the companionway?) and secondly, how do you talk on the radio from the helm (long mic extension, handheld VHF, wireless?). Right now I use a loose wire run over the head door and put a speaker on the cabin roof. If I need to talk on the radio, I engage the autopilot and run below. There must be a better way!
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VHF at the helm
We have an ICOM unit mounted below with a RAM (Remote Access Microphone) at the helm to monitor/transmit on 16/9 and other channels as needed. Additionaly we use a West Marine 200 Handheld for short range communication in harbors and to monitor NOAA Weather. Steve Kamp
We have an ICOM unit mounted below with a RAM (Remote Access Microphone) at the helm to monitor/transmit on 16/9 and other channels as needed. Additionaly we use a West Marine 200 Handheld for short range communication in harbors and to monitor NOAA Weather. Steve Kamp
Helm mount
Mine was mounted on the help. Very accessable and handy. Downside, my waterproof RAymarine radio shorted out in a storm, when the engine overheated. Thank God for cell phones. ajp
Mine was mounted on the help. Very accessable and handy. Downside, my waterproof RAymarine radio shorted out in a storm, when the engine overheated. Thank God for cell phones. ajp
RAM
I now use a RAM mic with the Stardard Matrix radio. A friend with a Morgan 41 OI has long power and antenna coax on his VHF and moves it from down below to the cockpit. Works good for him. Bill
I now use a RAM mic with the Stardard Matrix radio. A friend with a Morgan 41 OI has long power and antenna coax on his VHF and moves it from down below to the cockpit. Works good for him. Bill
just ordered
I just ordered a new radio with a WHAM. Certainly, having battery operated remotes over wired is a serious consideration. My decision was based on the fact it has a 1/2 mile range so I can operate the radio from anywhere on the boat and that the WHAM can be used as a walkie talkie. Not clear on it, but it seams it can be used as an intercom so can call the boat from the dink to start the BBQ. My old radio works, has a speaker built in on deck, but is down below and has no distress button. I have a waterproof handheld as a backup/cockpit transmitter, but its range is limited especially when the batteries go down. For $22 West Marine will warrantee the WHAM for 3 years and will protect against even dropping the unit (not losing it). Tied into a GPS, the WHAM & the base unit can throw out a distress signal with coordinates.
I just ordered a new radio with a WHAM. Certainly, having battery operated remotes over wired is a serious consideration. My decision was based on the fact it has a 1/2 mile range so I can operate the radio from anywhere on the boat and that the WHAM can be used as a walkie talkie. Not clear on it, but it seams it can be used as an intercom so can call the boat from the dink to start the BBQ. My old radio works, has a speaker built in on deck, but is down below and has no distress button. I have a waterproof handheld as a backup/cockpit transmitter, but its range is limited especially when the batteries go down. For $22 West Marine will warrantee the WHAM for 3 years and will protect against even dropping the unit (not losing it). Tied into a GPS, the WHAM & the base unit can throw out a distress signal with coordinates.
Console at nav mic topside
We installed a Standard Horizon unit from WM this season that has the main console down below and a "wired in" mic by the helm. This unit is great. It has excellent volume, displays channels as well as Lat&Long coordinates on the handset as well as below, is wired in to my Garmin GPS, has a loud PA hailer, intercom to talk to crew down below, and what's nice is no AA batteries to worry about or from accidentaly dropping it overboard (it has the coiled cord and it stays right where I want it next to the helm. Sure wireless' are nice for a ditch bag but this set up works for me. Cost - about $500
We installed a Standard Horizon unit from WM this season that has the main console down below and a "wired in" mic by the helm. This unit is great. It has excellent volume, displays channels as well as Lat&Long coordinates on the handset as well as below, is wired in to my Garmin GPS, has a loud PA hailer, intercom to talk to crew down below, and what's nice is no AA batteries to worry about or from accidentaly dropping it overboard (it has the coiled cord and it stays right where I want it next to the helm. Sure wireless' are nice for a ditch bag but this set up works for me. Cost - about $500
Why is it nice for a ditch bag?
How is a wireless mic unit nice for a ditch bag? Wireless mic talks to the base unit, and if the base unit is under water, what good is a wireless mic? Or did you mean it is nice to have a handheld VHF in the ditch bag?
How is a wireless mic unit nice for a ditch bag? Wireless mic talks to the base unit, and if the base unit is under water, what good is a wireless mic? Or did you mean it is nice to have a handheld VHF in the ditch bag?
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