VHF low transmit volume

[salishmermaid]

I have an ICOM M422. It does transmit with both the mic on the main unit and the remote mic, but the volume is normal when using the remote mic and very low when using the mic on the main unit.

Has anyone experienced this? If so, how do you fix it?

 

[Brian D]

Is it possible to swap the mic's around and see if the problem follows the mic or stays with the radio?

Are the mic's the same model number or different?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The wired mic is electret meaning it requires a low voltage to operate properly while the remote may be a low impedance mic. In the absence of any other info, that differentiates the microphones. You could have a water damaged mic, a bad connection creating a voltage drop to the mic or a bad audio input circuit in the radio which is bypassed by the remote.

 

[salishmermaid]

Is it possible to swap the mic's around and see if the problem follows the mic or stays with the radio?

Are the mic's the same model number or different?

How do you remove the mic on the M422? Or does it come off?

I have tried to pull it off but afraid to pull to hard if it is not made to come off.

The manual doesn't show it removed, so thinking it may not pull off.

 

[Rick D]

I looked at the manual and see no provision for MIC removal. I'd take it to an electronics repair shop. It looks like it's worth investing some money in IMHO.

 

[Brian D]

Wow, a radio that does not have a removable mic is as useful as a computer without an on/off switch. Don't mean to digress, but if the mic goes bad, the radio is as good as the boat's anchor.

Yeah, have the radio looked at per Rick D's recommendations.

 

[salishmermaid]

I looked at the manual and see no provision for MIC removal. I'd take it to an electronics repair shop. It looks like it's worth investing some money in IMHO.

I called ICOM, the mic doesn't come off it is hard wired in and sealed.

He did give me a tip to try. He said it is fairly common that the small Hole that is below the speaker grate to be covered or plugged with dirt.

The small hole is the actual microphone and if covered or plugged will cause the low volume.

Will give that a try, likely the problem, otherwise may be time to upgrade to one with AIS.

San Juan Islands this morning:

 

[bawlmer]

The mic is sealed on and will be costly to replace. This sounds like an excellent opportunity to upgrade to an AIS equipped unit.