I am replacing an Apelco VHF radio which seems to be the standard radio Hunter installed when my vessel was purchased new in 1995. This unit, reliable to date, has been discontinued and did not offer any remote microphone feature. The Raymarine handweld falls short when any distance is required. Consequently, I intend to replace the Apelco in the nav station with a unit that provides remote microphone capability. Accordingly, I will install the remote mic at the helm. Practical Sailor has recently published articles testing fixed VHFs in three price ranges. I have shortened the models I fancy to the Icom 502 and the Uniden 525. I'm soliciting opinions on remote microphone options. Basically the Icom COMMANDMIC is wired to the fixed base unit and the Uniden WHAM mics are 2.4GHz wireless units. I'm seeking experience commentary on the wireless model. Just not sure how well I can rely in a radio that needs two transcievers (VHF and 2.4GHz)? Also, given all the interference alternators and other widgets can generate, I'm also curious as to the sound quality, to me and my receiving party.
VHF radio upgrade
- Thread starter Kailani
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I can't speak
to the reliability & quality issues of wireless mikes. However, wired remotes won't fall overboard.
to the reliability & quality issues of wireless mikes. However, wired remotes won't fall overboard.
Uniden Polaris
My H34 had a brand new Uniden Polaris and a WHAM mike, barely used aboard when I bought it last year. I had to permanently install the main unit and the remote's antenna, hiding it in the aft cabin's hanging locker. The remote unit rides in a carrier attached to the binacle at the helm. This past summer it worked flawlessly and with great utility, allowing me to stuff the remote in my shorts' pocket when I walk around the boat but still be able to hear what's going on. It gives you all the functions of the main unit, which for me is now installed at the nav station. The remote holds a charge for a full day of sailing and recharges quickly when the boat is on shore power. There are only two negatives I've found. One is that you can't mute the main unit's speaker (at least I haven't found how it can be done yet). The main unit still is used to do all the operational programming, but the remote gives you access to almost all of its functionality. The second is that if you take a lightening strike, the remote becomes useless if the main unit and/or masthead antenna is wiped out. To overcome this possibility (which happened to two sailing friends this past summer) I picked up the Icom M32 on sale at WM as a backup. It's a great unit too! The Uniden 525 should be a great unit to replace the Apelco with. S/V Intrepid H34 #113
My H34 had a brand new Uniden Polaris and a WHAM mike, barely used aboard when I bought it last year. I had to permanently install the main unit and the remote's antenna, hiding it in the aft cabin's hanging locker. The remote unit rides in a carrier attached to the binacle at the helm. This past summer it worked flawlessly and with great utility, allowing me to stuff the remote in my shorts' pocket when I walk around the boat but still be able to hear what's going on. It gives you all the functions of the main unit, which for me is now installed at the nav station. The remote holds a charge for a full day of sailing and recharges quickly when the boat is on shore power. There are only two negatives I've found. One is that you can't mute the main unit's speaker (at least I haven't found how it can be done yet). The main unit still is used to do all the operational programming, but the remote gives you access to almost all of its functionality. The second is that if you take a lightening strike, the remote becomes useless if the main unit and/or masthead antenna is wiped out. To overcome this possibility (which happened to two sailing friends this past summer) I picked up the Icom M32 on sale at WM as a backup. It's a great unit too! The Uniden 525 should be a great unit to replace the Apelco with. S/V Intrepid H34 #113
Second on the polaris
To quiet down the primary radio, just turn it on and not any further. With the volume all the way down, you don't hear the main at all. It also has a nifty alarm clock feature.
To quiet down the primary radio, just turn it on and not any further. With the volume all the way down, you don't hear the main at all. It also has a nifty alarm clock feature.
Volume control
Dog, I was under the impression that increasing the volume on the WHAM unit also affects the main unit. I'll have to wait until spring to find out! I must have a dozen electronic toys on the boat that can generate an alarm, not counting the CO and fire detectors! I'll have to make sure I don't set it accidently like I did with one of the others, only to be awakened in the middle of the night in panic from the sound! LOL!!! S/V Intrepid H34 #113
Dog, I was under the impression that increasing the volume on the WHAM unit also affects the main unit. I'll have to wait until spring to find out! I must have a dozen electronic toys on the boat that can generate an alarm, not counting the CO and fire detectors! I'll have to make sure I don't set it accidently like I did with one of the others, only to be awakened in the middle of the night in panic from the sound! LOL!!! S/V Intrepid H34 #113
WHAM
Replaced my VHF with an Uniden OceanusDSC and added the WHAM mic. The only issue is the 2.5GHz antenna for the base unit has to be mounted out from behind the electrical panel. Otherwise the range was too limited to reach the cockpit from the Nav Station. Kind of obvious in hind site... lots of metal shielding between the transmitter and receiver can't help. Now it works great and the biggest advantage was the avoidance of running any wires from the base unit to the cockpit. The cable runs are already maxed out. Enjoy, Scott
Replaced my VHF with an Uniden OceanusDSC and added the WHAM mic. The only issue is the 2.5GHz antenna for the base unit has to be mounted out from behind the electrical panel. Otherwise the range was too limited to reach the cockpit from the Nav Station. Kind of obvious in hind site... lots of metal shielding between the transmitter and receiver can't help. Now it works great and the biggest advantage was the avoidance of running any wires from the base unit to the cockpit. The cable runs are already maxed out. Enjoy, Scott
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