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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My only complaint...
I bought one of the earlier model Uniden radios with the optional wireless MIC. I believe that system used 900 MHz wireless technology similar to the older cordless phones. Be aware that there is a short time delay between when the mother unit receives a transmission and when it is re-broadcast to the wireless MIC. This may cause the first word to me missed at the MIC. I believe that it may even work the same on the transmitting side causing a missed word at the far end and them asking for a repeat or you asking for a repeat. I usually tell the party I am talking with to key their MIC, count to 2, then start talking. The audio quality is good using the wireless with no complaints on audio from the other station. You have to maintain a charge on the wireless MIC just like a cordless phone to keep it working. I suppose you could buy an extra battery for back-up in case you forget to charge it. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate my unit a strong 7.
I bought one of the earlier model Uniden radios with the optional wireless MIC. I believe that system used 900 MHz wireless technology similar to the older cordless phones. Be aware that there is a short time delay between when the mother unit receives a transmission and when it is re-broadcast to the wireless MIC. This may cause the first word to me missed at the MIC. I believe that it may even work the same on the transmitting side causing a missed word at the far end and them asking for a repeat or you asking for a repeat. I usually tell the party I am talking with to key their MIC, count to 2, then start talking. The audio quality is good using the wireless with no complaints on audio from the other station. You have to maintain a charge on the wireless MIC just like a cordless phone to keep it working. I suppose you could buy an extra battery for back-up in case you forget to charge it. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate my unit a strong 7.
Uniden v Icom
I purchased the Uniden w/ wireless WMAM mike last year and have not noticed the delay Ken mentioned but that may be due to a different model. The remote wireless mike seems to me to perform equivalent to that of a corded mike. Never observed any noise or other interference from onboard equipment of which there is a lot. The only drawbacks I can think of are 1. losing it overboard and 2. dead battery ( have a handheld backup anyway...), neither of these seemed to me to be a show-stopper compared with the added convenience. In 40+ years of ham radio, Icom has always been my choice so it's a coin-flip from my perspective. Don
I purchased the Uniden w/ wireless WMAM mike last year and have not noticed the delay Ken mentioned but that may be due to a different model. The remote wireless mike seems to me to perform equivalent to that of a corded mike. Never observed any noise or other interference from onboard equipment of which there is a lot. The only drawbacks I can think of are 1. losing it overboard and 2. dead battery ( have a handheld backup anyway...), neither of these seemed to me to be a show-stopper compared with the added convenience. In 40+ years of ham radio, Icom has always been my choice so it's a coin-flip from my perspective. Don
Icom
is the traditional class act in VHF radios, but based on the Practical Sailor writeups it looks like Uniden is now making a good product. I lean in the direction of the Wham mics simply since the Admiral and I could be ashore on separate missions and still keep in touch. We are currently using Motorola walkie talkies on the Family band for this and they work great. Another possibility for your upgrade would be to leave the current VHF at your nav station (assuming it is working) and get a new hand-held radio to carry with you. I have always thought that having a radio with you has some advantages in an emergency as it is not always convenient to go below to make or receive a call. The handheld can also be taken with you when you are in the dinghy. If you used the wham for dinghy service you could not be sure you would always be in range, and you would have to leave the radio on in the boat.
is the traditional class act in VHF radios, but based on the Practical Sailor writeups it looks like Uniden is now making a good product. I lean in the direction of the Wham mics simply since the Admiral and I could be ashore on separate missions and still keep in touch. We are currently using Motorola walkie talkies on the Family band for this and they work great. Another possibility for your upgrade would be to leave the current VHF at your nav station (assuming it is working) and get a new hand-held radio to carry with you. I have always thought that having a radio with you has some advantages in an emergency as it is not always convenient to go below to make or receive a call. The handheld can also be taken with you when you are in the dinghy. If you used the wham for dinghy service you could not be sure you would always be in range, and you would have to leave the radio on in the boat.
Always carry a handheld
as a redundancy. The handheld transmits ar 5w rendering it a bit usless at any distance. The fixed VHF remote allows one to stay at the helm with all the capability I have to decend into the cabin for now.
as a redundancy. The handheld transmits ar 5w rendering it a bit usless at any distance. The fixed VHF remote allows one to stay at the helm with all the capability I have to decend into the cabin for now.
ICOM
I installed an ICOM IC-402SC on my boat soon after buying it in 2003. It's been a reliable radio. I was going to add the remote microphone kit until I realized that it cost more than an average handheld VHF portable. I bought a $100 Uniden portable instead and have found that to have been a far better decision as the portable offers much more flexible use than does a hard-wired remote mike to the main station.
I installed an ICOM IC-402SC on my boat soon after buying it in 2003. It's been a reliable radio. I was going to add the remote microphone kit until I realized that it cost more than an average handheld VHF portable. I bought a $100 Uniden portable instead and have found that to have been a far better decision as the portable offers much more flexible use than does a hard-wired remote mike to the main station.
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