Looking for ideas Communication ????

[Gina Marie]

I am redoing some of my electronics on the helm, looking for equipment that will communicate from the helm to the salon and maybe to the flybridge. Yelling sometimes does not work. I saw at the boat show a product from Uniden a stationary VHF and up to 4 remotes that are wireless. Seams like a good idea. Also si ban radios (not sure of the spelling) I have a Icom M700TY that came with the vessel never used it what is its present use in todays communication? Thanks Gina Marie/Tom

 

[Nonchalant1]

Tom,

Unfortunately, you can't use VHF for internal ship communications. It's only for ship to ship and ship to shore. The USCG does monitor it and will come down on you if they hear obvious use for talking internally. Some people have started using the cell phones with a walkie-talkie feature for this, but you've gott'a have signal for that. Of course, real walkie-talkies will do it just fine, and some are made with headsets.

The 53MYs came with a wired phone system connecting all cabins, helm and flybridge, but we never use them.

Doug

 

[eze2bme]

I bought a set of walkie talkies from Lowe's ... rechargable ... work great ... and have about a 1 mile range.

 

[Gina Marie]

Thank you for the advice at the boat show I saw a unit from Uniden and the remote units have a function called intercom this would not violate the VHF rule would it. Thanks

 

[Liquid Asset]

Uniden has it as well as ICOM and Standard. They use their remote mics the have an internal intercom between stations. I have an Icom M802 and it has 2 comand mic's. I can use them to have a conversation with somone on another mic and never use a true working channel on the VHF.

I have not used Standars or Unidens unit, but I would guess that it would be the same. You must select Intercom on the unit or on the remote mic, but as long as you do that, it works good.

 

[MikeP]

We have a hailer installed - I can't remember the brand - at the flybridge and lower helm. It can communicate with all areas of the boat and has selector switches for internal, external, forward, aft, etc. It also can sound fog signals outside in accordance with several different international and domestic standards.

It can perform two way comm with no additions other than the speakers themselves. I can hear folks talking on the back deck for example so we can converse if the need arises.

It's an old unit but works so well that I've seen no need to remove or replace it.

 

[Capten]

Tom,

I also use the newer Icom VHF intercom system with Command mics as an onboard intercom system. It works well for our limited use. I think there are still dedicated intercom systems still out there that you can purchase if you plan to use it a lot.

As far as your M700TY - I believe it is a SSB radio (Single Side Band). It is a High Frequency long distance communication radio that a lot of offshore fisherman and travelers make use of. Although once used a lot, I think many are simply utilizing satellite phones and communications today instead.

Here is a link to more info:
http://www.defender.com/html/ssb_info.html

Paul

 

[ELECTRA VI]

I too use the ICOM 502 with a command mic. Works great. The radio is mounted at the lower station and the command mic on the bridge. Also have a 302 on the bridge for an additional radio as well as redundant GPS's.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have the Standard Horizon radio with the remote mic- like it a lot. This one also has the hailer and amplifier for it. A feature that I really like, which very few radios have, is that the hand mic is also a speaker- you can hold it next to your ear and hear received traffic. This is invaluable when things are noisy, you've turned it up all the way, and STILL can't hear it. I would want this feature, plus a big speaker and good audio, in any radio I bought.
FWIW, I have had outstanding luck with Standard's stuff- I must have owned five or six of their products and they are well-made, do what they're supposed to, and are serviced on flat rate forever. Hard to beat.

 

[shvldis]

We use a Raymarine loudhailer on our 58yf. It is mounted on the fly with aux stations throughout (master,galley,salon).

 

[jcchev]

Anyone ever tried the EarTech system for hands-free communication?

jcchev

 

[Boatsb]

As far as wireless intercom goes it is crap. In the pro AV world it is for grade schools. I would recommend Telex legacy or similar. Its easily expandable and simple to set up

 

[sgharford]

I recently installed a Poly Planar MRD-70 stereo system with 4 seperate zones. Each zone head has built in mic that broadcast to the other 3 zones when you press it. Thought a pretty nifty feature. Only problem with one remote head, it's mounted close to ceiling (about 6" away) and gets allot of feedback on mic when you try to use it.

 

[steve940]

I have used the Chamberlain Wireless Reporter units throughout the boat. In living areas I use the standard units and the waterproof units on the F/B, in the engine rooms and outside P/S lower helm doors as a doorbell...

They are cheap, effective and hold up for about a year with a change of batteries...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjcayvQJn98

Steve
56MY

 

[OBXTucker]

I've got to put a vote IN for the Eartec product. I'm using the TD904 and they work great. We use the double earpiece headset and the sound quality is terrific. They are true duplex units and hands free, so you can talk to each other at the same time and don't require PTT (push to talk) buttons. Come with rechargeable batteries that last quite a while.