VHF radio with wireless WHAM Mic

Mike8245 · Feb 24, 2009

Three people on my dock have them and are not impressed. Problems from the battery going dead in the wireless unit to working sometimes not others. Good idea but needs tweaking in my opinion.

Don S/V ILLusion · Feb 24, 2009

Steve
I've had the Uniden wireless mic for 3 years now and think it's the best thing since sliced bread. Some of the earlier units had an annoying delay on them but that has been the only complaint I've ever observed and have not had that problem on our's.

The battery life obviously depends on usage and I've found needs to be recharged daily with normal use. Also has a separate non-rechargeablel battery pack just in case but never had to use it.

Only real drawback I see is the possibility of losing it overboard but if I get that careless, I guess i deserve it.

Mike B · Feb 24, 2009

The WHAM mic operates on a 900MHz signal much like a wireless phone in your home. The handheld mic transmits to the base unit and then the base unit transmits the signal. Had a Uniden in our last boat and was very pleased with it. I averaged 6hrs plus out of a fresh charged battery. Like all batteries it will eventually weaken and you'll need to replace it. When I did I went with the off the shelf from the local dept stores and found they were less than acceptable. Bought brand name replacements which were fine. Average price is in the $10 range. I purchased a spare and kept it charged for extended trips. It only takes a minute to swap it out. The only feature the WHAM mic was missing was the inability to adjust the squelch. Once I found where to set the base unit squelch it was fine and rarely needed adjusting. Broadcast and receiving were both the same as you would get from the base unit. It was a convenient way to provide a remote VHF in the cockpit without running a wire harness. Had our new boat not had a mic already installed at the helm I would have purchased another in a heartbeat.

William12213 · Feb 25, 2009

I have the Uniden unit with the Wham mic and I am very pleased with it. It was not expensive, very easy to install and works as claimed. I agree that it would have been nice to adjust the squelch on it but once it is set on the main radio you are fine. I have not had any battery issues and it has worked fine on 10 hour runs. I am sure this depends how much you are using it.

I would not hesitate to buy this setup again. watch for a sail and the become very cheap

Shell · Feb 25, 2009

For the price of a WHAM, you could buy another handheld with longer battery life, some of them float andit can act as another backup radio.

Scott B · Feb 25, 2009

Shell said:
For the price of a WHAM, you could buy another handheld with longer battery life, some of them float andit can act as another backup radio.

Good thought, however, VHF operates on line of sight. The antenna on the top of the mast will give you much further coverage than a handheld. I use the VHF 99% of the time from the cockpit and want my signal to go as far as possible if I need help.

I have a separate floating handheld to use in the dinghy if I should need it.

Mike B · Feb 25, 2009

In addition to line of site issues handhelds also have less transmitting power. I too have one for the dinghy and use it for a backup in the cockpit, but it won't get you far.

pvanv · Feb 25, 2009

Have done it 2 ways, WHAM (to operate the masthead antenna of the 25w UM525 or UM625 radio remotely), and the iCom M504 with remote handset (speaker mic). Price is about the same, performance is good either way, so it comes down to whether you want the wireless WHAM x4 (you can use up to 4 remotes, which can double as walkie-talkies) or the wired-in iCom.

kloudie1 · Feb 25, 2009

I did my remote with the Standard Horizon hard wired remote mike. The plug is in a combing cubby next to the helm .. VERY convenient to have the radio controls and the mike at the helm.. Fortunately, it was an easy wire run on my boat. I didn't have the option of the wireless remote, but I have had batteries in the handheld VHF go down at inopportune times..

Shell · Feb 25, 2009

You guys are right about line of site. Antenna on the mast and power will out perform the handheld but "backup" means when your radio does not work. 25 miles vs. 5 miles vs nothing.
I looked into buying a WHAM and felt it was too expensive for a product that is too easy to loose, does not float, battery is old technology that does not last long. My ICON handheld charge lasts for about a month with about 2 hours use every other day.
I feel it is more bang for the buck.
If WHAM was under $50, I would consider it.
Good luck.

Capt. Kermie · Feb 25, 2009

Wham x4

I also bought the Uniden 525 with remote WHAM and had battery issues. Unless I stay on top of keeping it charged, it will go dead quickly. My wife insisted I get it but really with the main unit installed just inside the companionway door the main mic easily reaches around and into the cockpit. I mainly use the wham to communicate with marinas for slip assignments, other than that, it is just an extra toy. I am not so sure it is neccessary on a small boat under 30' but it may be convenient on larger boats. It was an extra $160.00 for a toy that I really don't need. I also have a handheld and it really drains batteries too so I don't like it but it also comes in handy when in close range at the marinas and in the dinghy.

Dan Johnson · Feb 25, 2009

Another affirmation...

Wholeheartedly agree with Mike B and Don. When I bought my boat, the VHF had a wireless mike that wasn't hooked up. Once it was, I don't know how else you would get the full power of a VHF at the helm without a full sized radio there taking up space.

Works great, gets between 6 to 8 hours of standby out of the battery before needing recharging. Saves wiring a repeater speaker at the helm just to hear the incessant Channel 16 babble in the summertime!

I keep a separate waterproof, floatable hand-held at the helm for low power marina coms and for use outside of the cockpit confines.

walmsleyc · Feb 25, 2009

I have the Uniden 525 and a WHAM Mic. Battery life is terrible. A number of times it just dies in the middle of a radio call. That is REALLY annoying. I will be installing a remote speaker in the cockpit anyway (wired) because it will be more reliable than the WHAM mic. My 525 is mounted far enough down below that I can't hear it when it's windy or when the motor is on.

I think it's appalling that the standby time isn't something similar to a cell phone, or even half as long.

It is cool in all other ways except battery life.

Chris

Mike B · Feb 25, 2009

Chris, try buying a new battery for it. When the battery get's weak it will do just as you mentioned. A new battery should last at least 6-8 hrs. The last one I bought lasted for an 11 hr run. I also carried a charged spare. BTW way go with a name brand battery as the ones from places like Radio Shack weren't worth a dime. Sorry can't remember what brand it was but something along the lines of Eveready or Duracell. They're just phone batteries and all priced about the same.
Mike

Capt. Kermie · Feb 25, 2009

Mike B said:
Chris, try buying a new battery for it. When the battery get's weak it will do just as you mentioned. A new battery should last at least 6-8 hrs. The last one I bought lasted for an 11 hr run. I also carried a charged spare. BTW way go with a name brand battery as the ones from places like Radio Shack weren't worth a dime. Sorry can't remember what brand it was but something along the lines of Eveready or Duracell. They're just phone batteries and all priced about the same.
Mike

Thanks Mike I'll get a new battery this spring and try it out as I also get frustrated with battery life. The wham is nice for when I am entering the marina docks and looking for where the attendant is, while speaking I can see their hand signals for better directions. The main mic reaches the cockpit but not all the way to the helm seat so the wham does have some added convenience.

Ken Palmer · Feb 26, 2009

Maybe there is a difference between the first WHAM mic that Uniden came out with and the newest one. I have the original and have it on all day and when done cruising, place it in the charger. No problem with battery life unless I forget to re-charge. I had the annoying delay in transmissions, but live with it. Uniden says there is nothing they can do to modify it.

The new version works on a higher frequency, and you can have up to 4 WHAMs in use. they can also be used to talk to one another as in a handheld transceiver (so the ad says). My buddy just bought the new 525 off the Internet and got a very good price. I am interested in seeing how well it performs.

Would I buy another one? You bet!

Mike B · Feb 26, 2009

Capt. I think the delay comes from the time it takes to transmit to the module and then to the VHF. I never noticed it as my base unit VHF was far enough from the helm I couldn't hear it. Good luck with a new battery. IMHO spending $10 for another try beats $100 for a handheld.
Mike

Ken Palmer · Feb 27, 2009

delay not really the problem

Mike B said:
Capt. I think the delay comes from the time it takes to transmit to the module and then to the VHF. I never noticed it as my base unit VHF was far enough from the helm I couldn't hear it. Good luck with a new battery. IMHO spending $10 for another try beats $100 for a handheld.
Mike

The first syllable would be cut off at the WHAM, or maybe even the first word in a sentence depending on how fast they start to talk after pushing the PTT switch on the mic.

Mike B · Feb 27, 2009

Re: delay not really the problem

Ken, we never experienced that problem with our's. We had the original style from Uniden.
Mike