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We have a 1987 Crealock 34, #68 with the Yacht Specialties pedestal.
We would like to mount the remote microphone (either Icom M506 or SH GX2200) for easy access but the stainless support tubes will not accommodate the remote cable and we do not want to cut and splice.
If you have a remote microphone at the helm please share any photos of the install. Of course, all advice is always appreciated.
We have a 1987 Crealock 34, #68 with the Yacht Specialties pedestal.
We would like to mount the remote microphone (either Icom M506 or SH GX2200) for easy access but the stainless support tubes will not accommodate the remote cable and we do not want to cut and splice.
If you have a remote microphone at the helm please share any photos of the install. Of course, all advice is always appreciated.
I'll toss out some brainstorming that may be things you already considered, or won't work for you.
Can you run the mike wire up the pedestal itself? [Removing the compass should give you a view down inside...] That is how an ICOM remote mike was installed on our boat. [but we don't have a Yacht Specialties pedestal...]
Another thought is to spend the $ for the remote mike toward a decent hand held DSC VHF you keep at the helm.
Lastly: it wasn't clear if you already own the two radios you mentioned, or if those were the models you are considering.
If you already own them then this idea is moot. If not, you may want to consider a B&G V50 VHF with wireless remote mike. We have one and love it.
Simrad sells the same radio with their label on it, and Garmin has a remote wireless mike as well... There may also be others.
The problem with both handhelds and wireless remote is that they need power for charging.
Some have integrated charging station that can be installed outside.
Some must be installed in a dry place.
I actually prefer the remote mic is not on the pedestal, if possible. Reaching past the helm wheel and drawing it back to talk, can be cumbersome, if you are in seas requiring lots of helm adjustments. Is there a place to mount it to the side of the cockpit, behind the wheel, even if below a seat? I'm not familiar with your cockpit.
If you consider a handheld instead, just know that the transmitting power of a handheld is a fraction of an installed vhf.
I actually prefer the remote mic is not on the pedestal, if possible. Reaching past the helm wheel and drawing it back to talk, can be cumbersome, if you are in seas requiring lots of helm adjustments. Is there a place to mount it to the side of the cockpit, behind the wheel, even if below a seat? I'm not familiar with your cockpit.
If you consider a handheld instead, just know that the transmitting power of a handheld is a fraction of an installed vhf.
Interesting topic... I have the SH GX1700 Explorer too, and JUST bought a RAM3 mic. I'm tiller steered as well, and transom hung rudder (tiller swings over the stern)... my thoughts were to place the mic plug next to my tiller pilot plug, and 12V aux receptacle. I've kicked the plug a few times on the TP, and I am wondering if it'd be better to mount the RAM3, on the stern.
I too think mounting the RAM 3 in front of the wheel on the pedestal might be interfering with the wheel, and you'll come to not like it. I'd say if you can mount it behind you but on center that'd be best... but don't put it where it'll interfere with ingress/egress to water (think swimming and dingy)... agreed it has a lot to do with the layout of your helm station.
We have a 1987 Crealock 34, #68 with the Yacht Specialties pedestal.
We would like to mount the remote microphone (either Icom M506 or SH GX2200) for easy access but the stainless support tubes will not accommodate the remote cable and we do not want to cut and splice.
If you have a remote microphone at the helm please share any photos of the install. Of course, all advice is always appreciated.
I have a Yacht Specialties pedestal sitting in storage.
I think it would be possible to run the cable up the pedestal but you are going to want to attach it to one side, perhaps in the same manner that that cables are run up the mast. You don't want the cable and the streering cables to become engaged. Also if the cable plug is too large for the stainless tubes then you are going to need drill a sizeable hole into the pedestal.
On Crazy Fish I have a second VHF mounted in one of the starboard side cockpit coamings and that has worked out well. I think it would be a great place to put your remote mike as well.
I went with the second VHF rather then a remote mike in part to have a redundant system but a side benefit is that the cockpit radio is attached to antenna that is mounted on the rear of the boat while the nav station radio is at the top of the mast. I find that when anchored I don't normally care to listen to traffic that is outside of the anchorage and the lower antenna helps to filter that traffic that out.
You probably do not have this problem in Alaska, but in most of my cruising areas, the main VHF with the masthead antenna is extremely annoying. The range is just too much, so there is almost constant traffic, 95% of which I do not care about. Using a hand held in the cockpit I pick up 100% of traffic within a mile of my location and everything from the coastguard. It really helps to filter out the noise. I keep the one below with the masthead for long distance communications, but that is very little of my traffic. When I need it I just go below.
I love the idea of a second VHF mounted in the starboard coaming with a rail mount antenna. That seems like the best of both worlds. Can't lose it overboard and don't need to worry about charge, but still have a more limited range and 25w transmit when you want it.
Hello everyone and thank you for your thoughts.
I plan to purchase an Icom M506, mount below, wire to my gps antenna for DSC and then mount the RAM plug in the starboard winch alcove.
The alcoves are large enough for the RAM microphone.
This installation will keep the helm "clean".
My installation also keeps the helm "clean" and it works well if you keep the mike wire out of the way when you work you way around the wheel. I also keep a handheld VHF as backup, but I don't like loose items in the cockpit when the going gets rough.
After my master chartplotter display crashed while underway and affected the data buss, I decided to replace my installed VHF with one that had a built-in GPS antenna. Even though it is below decks, it take longer to get a GPS Fix than my other GPS antennas, but doesn't lose a fix and provides some redundancy.
I have an Icom with a remote at the helm (wheel steering) of my PS37, but I seldom turn on the radio because it's so annoying and almost never use the remote. Of course this is not an ideal approach, but to me sailing is about getting away from noise and so forth.
This discussion just shows that there are almost limitless ways to spend money on your boat. But don't forget that every extra piece of gear is one more thing that is going to break. Don't get too reliant on it, and do plan to fix it one day or pay someone to fix it or pay to replace it if it cannot be fixed. There are advantages to keeping things as simple as possible. It sounds like Lou Ann is taking this approach. Bravo.
I installed our Standard Horizon RAM mic in the cockpit instrument panel. While I don't have a photo on hand, the install was straightforward and came out clean.
We did the same thing as Fallard. We replaced our VHF with one that had built in GPS and DSC. It too picks up satellites with no issues even though it is mounted below decks. We then have a RAM3 mic that plugs in inside the starboard coaming box (easy to access and install). Also, mounting it there keeps it out of the way and out of the sun. At anchor, I usually unplug it and take it down below, along with anything else that may "walk away" in the middle of the night.
We really like this setup. It is soooo much easier than running down below every time you wanted to respond to a call. It also makes it easier to hear when motoring.
I have an Edson pedestal, so I don't know if this solution would work for you. You may find something in it that you can adapt to yours.
I keep my handheld VHF strapped to my pedestal guard by passing the body of the radio around the guard tube and through its own wrist strap.
When not using the radio, it hangs down behind the wheel. When I want to use it, lifting the radio causes its strap to slide up the guard tube and above the wheel. The radio doesn't interfere with steering. The wheel doesn't interfere with the radio.
If you have a similar guard tube, you might be able to route the RAM Mic wiring in such a way that it is comfortable to use when pulled from above the guard. I do not think you'll find that you have to reach through the wheel to use it, unless your guard and pedestal are very differently shaped from mine.
Any reason that mounting a RAM3 mic in the open storage area just below the raised helm seat wouldn't be a good idea? I haven't measured the distance (might require a second extension cable), nor am I yet familiar enough with my boat to remember how difficult it might be to access that area. However, it seems like it might be more accessible to the helmsman in that location.
The speakers in remote mics tend to be quite directional. Hanging your mic so it points at your head makes it easier to understand what you are hearing.
I mounted a SH CMP30 RAM in the port coaming (where my engine control panel is) - it works great. I have a GX2100 down below. Having the AIS available on the RAM is a great feature. If I was picking up a new VHF I'd pick up the GX2200 with the GPS integrated. I have no AIS until I turn on the computer and get OCPN running.
The Standard Horizon remotes have a ext speaker lead in the cable too if the volume from the mic isn't enough.
I have a RAM mic installed onto a deck plate in the transom (inside the cockpit obviously) which meant no holes drilled in the boat. Doesn't get in the way, easy to hear, easy to use. I also have the VHF run to a separate dedicated GPS receiver, although both the VHF and plotter receivers are the same model so if one fails I can swap to the other relatively easily.
Before I stuck a microphone on my steering pedestal.
I might check how far it should be from a compass. particularly since microphones often contain a magnet.
PS I find a hand held works great. Its also a backup, I can take it in dingy, should I sink I could take in raft.
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