Surface Tension

I need to do something about not being able to hear my VHF when running. I think patching it into my stereo is probably the best bet. Anyone know the best way to do this. I would like to be able to do it so the stereo plays and the VHF only cuts in when receiving. I would also like to be able to toggle that function for unintteruped tunes.

Thanks.

Dave

Tiger Rag

I've seen some folks wire a dedicated remote speaker to the VHF, but not to the stereo. That seems to work pretty well. Usually just mounted underneath the electronics box if you have a center console.

Have you been on a boat where the VHF was wired into the stereo before? Just curious how well it works if you have seen it?

Wayne Tj

I can't find the link, but there is a switch made that will cutout one audio source when the other is active. However, I do remember that thing was not cheap (~ $100) and was not marine grade. Instead, I went with the external speaker from Icom and mounted it on the rear center pipe of my T-Top, behind me. The speaker works great, as I can hear it clearly at WOT. I doubt that a stereo speaker would have been any clearer, and it only cost like $45 plus the time to run the wire in the pipe.

GaryA

The only way that I have been able to see the VHF run into the stereo is through the aux input (if it has one) for the VHF to be heard through the stereo speakers. You have to switch the input on the stereo in order to hear the VHF and back to the stereo manualy. The only way I know to have the VHF cancel out the stereo is through a "ducker unit" however, I don't know of one made for marine use. Others here have suggested the external speaker option and to me, that sounds like the most logical way to go. Personally I would like to have the same thing you are looking for however, I have been unsuccesful in locating something that would get the job done in the marine enviroment.

Hope this helps....

Gary

Buck Wild

I have seen/heard a VHF thru the stereo. Its actually a pretty cool thing, but can get on your nerves after a while. Very clear and loud!

It came thru the Aux input of the stereo and it was either on or off...did not come over the radio. I would get an external speaker like suggested and also wire your VHF thru your stereo for when you want it.

Good luck!

Think Tweiss

You may be overthinking the solution to do something elegant rather than inexpensive and practical. I had a similar problem and thought about the same solution. While I was figuring out the solution, I bought an $14.95 hailer marine speaker at Boater's world and connected it to the speaker wires on my radio. The sound was so crisp and loud I just mounted the speaker permanently and solved my problem.

First Light

You'll be far better off doing what Think Tweiss did above and go with a seperate dedicated speaker for your VHF.

Mumblerone

I have a Raytheon RAY 210 VHF; it has a speaker right in the MIC. There is also another speaker on the VHF radio. When running I can talk and listen with the MIC in my hand. Works great, I often wonder why other manufacturers don't have this feature.

drydock

When I bought my boat used it had 4 stereo speakers built into the gunnels, 2 forward of the console, 2 aft. I re-wired it so that the rear speaker closest to the helm is now my VHF speaker, driven by an ICOM M45. Plenty of power and no additional speaker taking up space. I can have both the stereo on and the VHF, I can also adjust the stereo to the forward speakers while I have my VHF on at the helm. I don't have stereo aft of the console, but hey!, it's a fishing boat!

Birdman

I've done this but it's a bit complicated. I have a TV reciever on my boat which has Aux inputs. I also have an Aux input on my Stereo. I connected my VHF speaker output to the TV tuner, and the TV tuner output to my Stereo Aux input. Works find.

tidester

Are you trying to hear it above wind noise, engine noise, a combination of both, or something different?

The reason I ask, is I had a similar problem (along with headaches from the noise) and solved my problem with some foam noise insulation around the motor.