Marine Radio Replacement/Repair

DWenger

DWenger

New Member
Aug 14, 2018
28
Cocoa Village Florida
Boat Info
2006 320 Sundancer
Engines
350 MPI’s with V drive
I still have to original Northstar Radio in my 320DA and the cord to the handheld is spent. I’ve talked with the folks at West Marine scoured the web to no avail. All I’m finding is the radio is too old to repair and replacement is the only option.

I’m curious if anyone has any suggestion or wouldn’t mind offering some advice on replacements. I’m a big fan of keeping the helm stock. I don’t want to do a bunch of cutting and like the look of the factory install.
 
I replaced the Northstar NS100 with the ICOM M400BB unit earlier this year, and have been satisfied with it so far.
 
I had the same issue... I installed an iCom IC-M400BB. Fairly simple to install, uses the the same mike mounting position. I left the Northstar speaker in place and hooked it up to the PA output of the iCom.
 
Good to know! I looked it up on Amazon and it's shown with a white handset, the description stated black handset. I see that iCom offers white replacement handsets too.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
I'm an Icom fan. They make good radios.
 
I had a similar issue and found a local marine electronics repair shop and they replaced the cord.
I used Trionics, LLC in Webster, TX 281-338-2688
If you wanted to give them a call, they may be able to tell you if they can replace the cord for you

FYI - I also used these guys to replace the cord for my hydraulic platform wired remote that degraded and the manufacturer doesn't support any longer
 
Last edited:
Windjammer said:
I replaced the Northstar NS100 with the ICOM M400BB unit earlier this year, and have been satisfied with it so far.
Click to expand...
I did the same 2 years ago. Left the Northstar speaker in place but not connected to anything. There’s not a suitable replacement that fit the hole that I could find.

94F851C3-6889-432C-8B4E-AA2BC443779B.jpeg 1F40CF17-2D07-44CF-854A-664C3A532EAA.jpeg
 
All's Well said:
I had a similar issue and found a local marine electronics repair shop and they replaced the cord.
I used Trionics, LLC in Webster, TX 281-338-2688
If you wanted to give them a call, they may be able to tell you if they can replace the cord for you

FYI - I also used these guys to replace the cord for my hydraulic platform wired remote that degraded and the manufacturer doesn't support any longer
Click to expand...

I’d probably check with a local electronics place for a replacement cord too before I replaced the whole setup. They might be able to make something up for you.
 
JVM225 said:
I’d probably check with a local electronics place for a replacement cord too before I replaced the whole setup. They might be able to make something up for you.
Click to expand...
I open my handset before I replaced it to see what it would take just to replace the cord. It would’ve been pretty difficult. All the wiring on the inside is epoxied in place. Perhaps not impossible, but difficult.
 
All good advice, thanks everyone. If I can’t get the cord replaced, which to this point haven’t been able to, I’ll have to replace whole unit.
 
I found that I couldn't get the replacement cord from the manufacturer of the radio but the repair place was able to source the same style cord from a wire / cable provider. It works great - It's more expensive that a set of wires should be but it's a lot cheaper than a radio
 
Sounds like I need to start calling marine electronic companies to see who can help. The radio doesn't need replacing, it works fine, it's the cord that's the issue.
 
DWenger said:
Sounds like I need to start calling marine electronic companies to see who can help. The radio doesn't need replacing, it works fine, it's the cord that's the issue.
Click to expand...
This was a very common problem. It was a good radio and I liked its functions.

There was a guy on ebay that offered a cord replacement service, but I don't see his listing. Good luck.
 
DWenger said:
Sounds like I need to start calling marine electronic companies to see who can help. The radio doesn't need replacing, it works fine, it's the cord that's the issue.
Click to expand...

Doesn’t hurt to try. Would be a shame to dump a radio just because of a cord that annelectronics guy might be able to make up for you.
Maybe try calling these guys to see if their $29.00 cord will work and then find a local guy to do the soldering for you:
https://maxmarineelectronics.com/pr...sailor-replacement-vhf-coiled-mic-cable-cord/
 
Let us know what they say. I would send mine there for replacement as well.
 
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