[C320-list] Marine Radio

[Warren Updike]

We have an extension speaker near the helm.  It's mounted low on the
bulkhead of the cockpit between the end of the stbd seat and the stbd
lazarette. Newer boats don't, I think, have this space as the stbd seat may
be continuous to the lazarette seat.

It's part of the Simrad 8300 dual handset radio. This is a black box system
where the transceiver is behind the nav station and one handset is in the
cabin and the other is at the helm.  The handset is like a telephone in that
it has a full numeric keyboard with additional function keys.  All of the
radio functions are controlled from either handset.  I can hear all the
traffic on the loudspeaker as well as the handset if I pick it up and hold
it to my ear like a phone.  The connection between the handsets and the
transceiver is via standard telephone wire with modular jacks. The jacks are
out of the weather.

I love this system. Unfortunately, Simrad no longer makes this kind of
radio.  They seem to have left the VHF market.  The 8300 was, 15 years ago,
a $1,200 system.  It came with the boat.  

The closest I can come to it today is the Northstar NS100DS and I know
nothing of its current status in the market.  Too bad, as this approach to
radio design meets all of my VHF needs.  I think it can be had for about
$300.  I believe it is DSC Class D.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: P & B Sheerin [mailto:sheerinp at bigpond.net.au] 
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