ICOM Handheld VHF, what were they thinking?

[NorthernFocus]

We've got one of those tiny handheld VHF units that stays attached to my life vest so we don't forget it when we paddle ashore etc. It came with six rechargeable ni-cad AAA batteries which is how we always powered it until this year. Since we rarely actually use the unit and since ni-cads are poor for holding a charge, this year for improved reliability I decided to switch to regular alkaline batteries. In order to do so the radio has a dip switch that has to be toggled to tell the unit what type batteries are installed. Seemed like a good idea and simple enough. But...

Two problems. The dip switch apparently doesn't work and with brand new alkaline batteries the unit indicates that the batteries are at 10 percent. Oh but wait. It gets worse. In their infinite wisdom, and presumably to protect us from our own stupidity, ICOM designed the firmware in the unit to give an audible alarm and lock out the transmitter at 10 percent or less battery power. So let me understand. If I'm in trouble and the batteries are nearly dead in my VHF, I can listen to everyone else but can't call for help. Great. Excellent feature.

Unfortunately I discovered this well beyond the warranty period...

 

[knotflying]

Probably at 10% left in the battery a transmission will kill them since it uses a lot of power to transmit and they probably figured you could at least hear someone if they try to reach you before your unit goes completely dead. Hey, when I am dissatisfied with a product I let the manufacturer know. Many times they will do something that makes the situation better. Several times I have gotten a brand new updated model at no charge. 😀

 

[NorthernFocus]

Probably at 10% left in the battery a transmission will kill them since it uses a lot of power to transmit and they probably figured you could at least hear someone if they try to reach you before your unit goes completely dead...

Pretty solid reasoning for a designer sitting in an office thinking about it. Seems pretty moronic if you're in trouble trying to make a mayday call. What's next? A flare gun that won't fire that last flare? Just in case...

I am in the process of running it down with ICOM and/or West Marine where I bought it.

 

[knotflying]

Probably at 10% left in the battery a transmission will kill them since it uses a lot of power to transmit and they probably figured you could at least hear someone if they try to reach you before your unit goes completely dead...

Pretty solid reasoning for a designer sitting in an office thinking about it. Seems pretty moronic if you're in trouble trying to make a mayday call. What's next? A flare gun that won't fire that last flare? Just in case...

I am in the process of running it down with ICOM and/or West Marine where I bought it.

Well look at it this way, when should someone check their batteries on their handheld, when in the water asking for help or before they left the dock? The fact that the radio can't transmit at 10% is one factor the other is why weren't they changed at 30%.

On a better note, West Marine policy is, if you are dissatisfied with a product you can return it regardless of when purchased. I guess their high prices are built in insurance. And check the date of your flares when you get a chance. :lol:

 

[baz]

Mike is right IMO.

For me I always make sure, before casting of, that my portable devices such as my iCom, Short Wave Grundig G6 Aviator (the BUZZ Aldrin Edition 🙂 ), Remotes for Thruster(s), Auto Pilot and iPhone/iPad are working and fully charged and/or have fresh batteries. Typically, I do this the day before taking the boat out.

 

[NorthernFocus]

I think you guys are both missing the point no doubt due to my poorly articulated OP. I'll try a different tack.

Let's say for whatever reason, you pick one, you're stranded on a remote rocky beach at the head of a bay. Luckily, you've got your trusty ICOM handheld with a brand new set of fully charged batteries in it. No problem, you make a mayday call. Hmmm. No response. Repeat. Repeat again. OK, there's no one in range. So you set up a routine to make a mayday call every hour on the hour. The hours go by, call after call you receive no response. After a couple of days of shivering in the cold rain while fighting off the bugs and bears, you look up and a couple of miles away there's a commercial fishing boat crossing the mouth of the bay. You grab the VHF, key the mike, and a pleasant female voice informs you that your batteries are at 10 percent and while you can receive, you are no longer permitted to transmit. We're sorry for any inconvenience but if you wish to transmit you will need to install a new set of batteries. However if you'd like you can utilize your remaining battery life by tuning to NOAA Weather Radio and listening to the current forecast approximately 89 times.

 

[RSC]

I feel your frustration with your hand held for whatever reason but cannot agree with your handheld radio dissatisfaction in your stated scenario. If you are going to travel that remote with your cruising as your scenario suggests, I would recommend redundancy in your ability to seek rescue. In my opinion, the small recreational handheld simply cannot be relied upon to be primary to the serious emergency notification task in remote situations. The SPOT or the ACR resQlink are two very affordable pieces of equipment when quick emergency notification is necessary in both remote OR local locations. Alternatively, spare charged batteries or a second inexpensive fully charged handheld are stop gap coastal or inland measures but again are not 100% reliable alternatives in some locations. Even with my state of the art cell phone, when it gets to 10% charge I know I am potentially in trouble making a call.

If your DIP switch for battery type doesn't work, that malfunction should be corrected.

 

[knotflying]

I think RSC nailed it. My Spot will send out an emergency signal via satellite from the get go. An e-mail message is also sent to predetermined friends and family so they know I am in trouble. They get my coordinates with the message. As a matter of protocol when cruising we send a message via spot every day saying all is well. Redundancy is a valuable tool.
In any event If you are dissatisfied with the product I would see if it could be replaced or exchanged for a different unit.

 

[harry ames]

Fresh batteries should have shown 100 percent charge. About every other time I load aaa batteries into my radio equipment I get one of 6 in backwards. That does a number on the whole set of batteries and makes things look discharged. Just a thought.