[C320-list] Marine Radio

[Allan S. Field]

John - Hmmm. My RAM Mic is hard wired directly to the VHF base station in
the cabin.  There are no internal batteries in the RAM Mic.  If there were,
I would have stuck with the handheld which I do carry as a back-up/ditch
radio and change those batteries at least annually.

One thing with the RAM Mic.  Even though the helm is covered whenever the
boat is not sailing, the cover on the wiring from the pod connection to the
mic has significantly deteriorated due to exposure to sun and weather.  The
covering is not UV protected and, in fact, is not what I would consider
marine-grade.  I had to return the mic this winter for a new wiring; cost
was about $40 plus shipping as I remember. - Allan

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Frost
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 2:16 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Marine Radio

Agree with Allan about needing more than just a loudspeaker.
I actually have both the Ram Mic and a handheld.
I like having the handheld the best for a couple of reasons.
1. I can leave the main unit inside on the hailing channel as required by
law and put the handheld on an alternate channel my buddies are on. (Easier
to me than using the dual channel function)
2. I have a backup in case either of the radios (or boat electrical system)
dies.
3. The battery in my hand held seems to last as long as, or longer than, the
one in the Ram mic.

OK, that is more than a couple

Happy Sailing!

John
2007 C320MKII
Hull 1118
Guntersville, AL


-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S. Field
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 9:09 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Marine Radio

Regarding an extension speaker at the helm, I am a big proponent of having
an actual radio at the helm.  This can be accomplished by getting a VHF
radio that has a base station and a remote, handheld microphone.  Standard
Horizon, and probably others, make a base station that will accompany their
RAM Mic.  You may want to look into this first, especially if you do any
singlehanded sailing.  At the minimum, you may want to look into a handheld
for the helm station but be warned that the batteries don't last long and
are prone, at least in my experience, to be dead just when you need them the
most.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow, #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of P & B Sheerin
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 3:00 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Marine Radio

We wish to put an extension speaker for our marine radio near the helm. Has
anyone done this. Any suggestions for a waterproof location.
Peter "Jaraman" # 1096