Aging Ray202 VHF/Hailer Mic Cord

[Ramblin' Guy]

Anyone have any good sources for mic cords for a Ray202 VHF/Hailer? I was working on the electronics below the dash and broke the end connector off b/c it's so narrow (or I'm too fat!) down there. I didn't realize how hard it is to find these things. If I could find the stupid connector on the end, I probably could repair it, but that's asking for a lot these days. Yes, I'll probably replace the unit with a fancy new one, but I was hoping to at least use it this year.

TIA

Jim

 

[Jaybeaux]

I have a VHF 240 that I took out of my boat this winter. It was all working when removed, and the cord is in decent shape. Yours for shipping. Let me know.

Jaybeaux

 

[RollerCoastr]

The replacement unit doesn't have to be fancy. The cheapest, least-equipped example you can find will have DSC, so you'll be miles ahead in terms of safety for very little money.

The 202 is overdue for a date in an electronics recycle bin.

 

[Ramblin' Guy]

The replacement unit doesn't have to be fancy. The cheapest, least-equipped example you can find will have DSC, so you'll be miles ahead in terms of safety for very little money.

The 202 is overdue for a date in an electronics recycle bin.

I’m glad I’m not the only one on CSR you hammer for an aging VHF. I’ve had so many other priorities this has slipped down the list. If I do get one, I’d like AIS send/receive and nmea 2000, but not for >$1000. I’ll probably have to wait.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Oh yeah, I'm definitely an equal-opportunity DSC nag. I'm trying to get every boat on my pier to step-up, so I'm sure that at least a few neighbors think I've found a way to profit from this agenda!

I don't push AIS transmission in the Great Lakes much. Considering the cost factor that you mentioned, I don't always see the return in regards to safety benefit. It makes sense an area with a lot of blind corners and commercial traffic, but with mostly pleasurecraft in wide-open waters, it's harder to justify.

DSC has an immediate and inexpensive safety benefit though, and despite the confusion and clutter caused by the FCC's role in this, you can take a temporary step. Standard Horizon units allow the deletion of an MMSI number. I did it via an email exchange w/ tech support. You could buy a fixed-mount SH w/ built-in GPS and just clear the MMSI when you're ready to sell it, and/or get a DSC handheld as a long-term back-up.

There's an issue of boating citizenry here too: each boat configured with DSC makes all the other boats in the area more safe - I'd argue that this includes the non-DSC vessels, as DSC allows First Responders to respond faster.

If you're in trouble, do you want them pre-occupied asking a nearby vessel also in distress, "ok, aside from the house w/the flag next to the smoke stack, what else do you see?", or do you want them to send help to them and then send help to you asap?

I heard a call w/ CG Sector Detroit trying to determine the location of a sinking cruiser when someone chimed-in with, "CG Detroit, the vessel you're trying to locate is in Ohio". Crap like this should never, and doesn't have to happen.

 

[Tim Fila]

Check maxmarineelectronics.com. They had a refurbed cable for my VHF. If they don't have one, maybe they can refurb yours.

Tim

 

[mrsrobinson]

I can relate to @Ramblin' Guy as I just want something simple, and if the original one in the boat worked I would not be replacing it. Once back on the potomac, I'll be a river boater, mostly open waters, I don't need fancy modern day technology for my VHF nor do I want to spend $600+ on one. Would it be cool to tell my dock mates I have the latest and greatest, absolutely, I just don't need it though for the kind of boating we will be doing.

 

[Ramblin' Guy]

All I wanted is to have the same jenky VHF that I had before I broke the mic cord with my ass putting my new MFD in so I could bring my boat 10 miles from storage to my marina. It’s not the money, so much as the pain in the ass it is to do one more thing before the damn boat goes splash. Sorry - rant over. This new boat stuff is stressing me out. Too many items are turning up broken or in-op. Surveyors have a great job. A lot like weathermen. There’s no accountability there.

 

[mrsrobinson]

I can relate to that as well having just been through the entire process

 

[techmitch]

Spend the $130 and get a modern VHF with safety features please.

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You guys saw this right?

I can relate to @Ramblin' Guy as I just want something simple, and if the original one in the boat worked I would not be replacing it. Once back on the potomac, I'll be a river boater, mostly open waters, I don't need fancy modern day technology for my VHF nor do I want to spend $600+ on one. Would it be cool to tell my dock mates I have the latest and greatest, absolutely, I just don't need it though for the kind of boating we will be doing.

All I wanted is to have the same jenky VHF that I had before I broke the mic cord with my ass putting my new MFD in so I could bring my boat 10 miles from storage to my marina. It’s not the money, so much as the pain in the ass it is to do one more thing before the damn boat goes splash. Sorry - rant over. This new boat stuff is stressing me out. Too many items are turning up broken or in-op. Surveyors have a great job. A lot like weathermen. There’s no accountability there.

 

[mrsrobinson]

If you're referring to me yep I saw it. Good luck trying to find one that's available. Plus I still have to remove the old one and install the new one, get templates because it won't fit, etc. Unless I have those skills, I'll be paying someone to do it. That's about 2-3 hours of labor at $125 an hour, so all in one is looking at $500+ with a cheapy/basic VHF. Seems logical to me to try to find a free/cheap parts if yours still works otherwise.

 

[RollerCoastr]

We have to get away from the idea that a proper VHF is some kind of exclusive, elusive luxury. It aint!

We don't hear people say, "well, those fire extinguishers are ugly and I don't even smoke", or "I just don't have enough storage for PFD's".

A DSC VHF is SOLIDLY in the safety category, so we shouldn't compare it to the latest marine stereo or cockpit television. Nor should we worry about the cost, when that same investment moves the fuel gauge needle half an inch.

@mrsrobinson, I totally give you credit for picking up that HX890. That makes total sense as a temporary reliance and long-term back-up. I even suggested that strategy in this thread. I'm also on record as supporting inexpensive VHF choices. However, I don't have your back when it comes to claims of mounting templates, expensive/complicated installations and no availability.

Maybe it's worth looking at a gap in your dash until you address the aesthetics? Maybe a simple filler plate can cover the gap? The installation isn't that complicated and there's LOTS of help available online. Supply chain issues reduces the overall choices, but there are still plenty of brands, colors, options and sizes of VHF's to choose from. You can even get fast/free shipping. Seriously - I JUST checked. They're out there.

Of all the excuses I hear, "the kind of boating I do" is the one I hear most often. It's also the worst one. (sorry) That's why I think listening to the "hysterical woman Lake St Clair" youtube clip has the impact it does. That boat owner knows every inch of that lake and could probably see his car in the marina parking lot as the CG helicopter started working w/ the local Sheriff to prevent his possible drowning - if only they knew in what ZIP CODE to start their search. (the woman in question told them they were in a town 10 miles from their actual location)

 

[mrsrobinson]

We have to get away from the idea that a proper VHF is some kind of exclusive, elusive luxury. It aint!

We don't hear people say, "well, those fire extinguishers are ugly and I don't even smoke", or "I just don't have enough storage for PFD's".

A DSC VHF is SOLIDLY in the safety category, so we shouldn't compare it to the latest marine stereo or cockpit television. Nor should we worry about the cost, when that same investment moves the fuel gauge needle half an inch.

@mrsrobinson, I totally give you credit for picking up that HX890. That makes total sense as a temporary reliance and long-term back-up. I even suggested that strategy in this thread. I'm also on record as supporting inexpensive VHF choices. However, I don't have your back when it comes to claims of mounting templates, expensive/complicated installations and no availability.

Maybe it's worth looking at a gap in your dash until you address the aesthetics? Maybe a simple filler plate can cover the gap? The installation isn't that complicated and there's LOTS of help available online. Supply chain issues reduces the overall choices, but there are still plenty of brands, colors, options and sizes of VHF's to choose from. You can even get fast/free shipping. Seriously - I JUST checked. They're out there.

Of all the excuses I hear, "the kind of boating I do" is the one I hear most often. It's also the worst one. (sorry) That's why I think listening to the "hysterical woman Lake St Clair" youtube clip has the impact it does. That boat owner knows every inch of that lake and could probably see his car in the marina parking lot as the CG helicopter started working w/ the local Sheriff to prevent his possible drowning - if only they knew in what ZIP CODE to start their search. (the woman in question told them they were in a town 10 miles from their actual location)

Well said, after posting my reply I thought about the same.