VHF Radio Location

[buoyohbuoy]

I found the location of the Garmin VHF200 radio on our 2014 R-25SC made it very difficult for my sexagenarian eyes to see the display when sitting or standing at the helm. I thought of relocating the radio but that seemed like a lot of work and besides there didn't seem to be another good spot to mount it. The GHS10 wired remote with the full display in the handset seemed to be the answer. I assumed (and everyone knows what that means!) that the handsets were a simple plug 'n play. Lo and behold when I unplugged the old handset and plugged in the new one, it wouldn't work. I called Garmin tech support and they informed me that it had to be plugged into the back of the radio. It worked when I did that but now the handset cord has to be fed up over the dash making it unwieldy for mounting on the handset bracket.
I'd be interested to hear if others have had similar issues with the radio location and solutions they came up with.

 

[walldog]

Hi Mike,
Glad you found out the issue with your GHS 10. Sounds like the wireless unit may be a another solution. Thanks again to you and Peggy for the great hospitality. We slipped away early and even though it was a bit lumpy, we made it into Newcastle MP before the winds spiked up later in the day.

 

[Irish Mist]

Would it be possible to make the hole a bit larger and tilt the radio a bit so you can see the display? You may only need to angle the inside of the bottom part to do this .. Just a thought

 

[Osprey]

I mounted the GHS 10 on the "sidewall" leading into the V berth. That is, next to the Morningstar solar panel display. Once you have the GHS 10 operational you can remove the standard microphone.

 

[baz]

How about moving the handset bracket to the top of the console. Many of us have done this as the stock position of the bracket is a PITA to access quickly when needed.

For me, if I lean backwards I can see what I need on the radio display. However, I do agree it's in a bad position for ease of viewing.

 

[South lake]

The radio location made it too difficult to use the radio easily for me as well. So I had the radio moved to a bracket hanging from the shelf over the helm. I use the radio a lot as a member of a boating safety group that networks by radio. We monitor a couple of channels and use one as a working channel. I also installed a hailer on the roof of the cabin and use that feature on the Garmin radio. With the radio located where it is now, I can easily see the display and use the various buttons.

Here's a photo.

 

[knotflying]

I found the location of the Garmin VHF200 radio on our 2014 R-25SC made it very difficult for my sexagenarian eyes to see the display when sitting or standing at the helm. I thought of relocating the radio but that seemed like a lot of work and besides there didn't seem to be another good spot to mount it. The GHS10 wired remote with the full display in the handset seemed to be the answer. I assumed (and everyone knows what that means!) that the handsets were a simple plug 'n play. Lo and behold when I unplugged the old handset and plugged in the new one, it wouldn't work. I called Garmin tech support and they informed me that it had to be plugged into the back of the radio. It worked when I did that but now the handset cord has to be fed up over the dash making it unwieldy for mounting on the handset bracket.
I'd be interested to hear if others have had similar issues with the radio location and solutions they came up with.

Well I just ordered the GHS 10 and did not realize the requirement to plug it in the back. Perhaps mounting it between windows will work. Nothing is easy, is it! The radio mounted in the storage area above the helm would have been a more appropriate place than knee level.

 

[Bruce Moore]

I bought a GHS 10 for our former R-29. The dash on that boat was teak. The handset box included a cable and mounting/plug which I installed on the dash. This provide a clean connection for the handset. There's also a clip which can be mounted wherever is convenient. I left the handset on the top of the dash most of the time.

I bought another GHS 10 for our new R-31. The dash is padded and upholstered. I had the factory install the mount/plug in the dash (to avoid messing up the padding). I mounted the clip on the wood window frame, at eye level - on the starboard side between the windshield and the pilot house door.

Easy to see, hear, and grab.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[baz]

The GHS 10 installation instructions clearly state in #6 to connect to back of radio.... !!!!

 

[buoyohbuoy]

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on this one. Glad to hear I wasn't the only one who found the factory location of the radio to be awkward; perhaps Ranger Tug might consider moving it to a more visible location on future boats - say, to where the engine and autopilot gauges are currently located.

A wireless handset might be the answer for us as the Admiral of the Fleet frowns when I start talking about drilling holes and stringing cable around her pristine Ranger Tug. Thanks for the suggestion, Walldog and happy to hear Willie's Tug and her crew made it safely into the Nanaimo area ahead of the winds. Have a wonderful trip south and hope to see you on the water the next time you're up this way.

 

[knotflying]

Well, hopefully my GHS10 comes with the same mounting plug so I can locate it appropriately.

 

[baz]

This GSH10 sounds like a wonderful addition to Laxey. I've placed it on my shopping list. 😉

Where did people buy theirs, and what's the warranty if self installed ? The installation sounds easy enough. Was out on the boat today with son and his family and took a pic of my current radio handset setup.

 

[baz]

Oucheeee.... Amazon shows the Garmin GHS 10, U.S. (Discontinued by Manufacturer).... what the heck ?

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-GHS-U-S-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B001HC92M2

The newer GHS 20 is more expensive and not discontinued from what I can see (although some sites do say it's discontinued... weird that) and requires no real installation (drilling holes etc) and is wireless allowing the handset to be carried about the boat. It does require the wireless receiver that has to be connected to rear of the radio and must be in a location that allows for good/excellent wireless communication about the boat. It is about $120 to $140 more expensive than the GSH 10 from my research so far. Downside might be that the handset requires a lithium-ion battery and needs to be kept charged.

Ref: eBay at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garmin-GHS-20-GWH-20-Bundle-010-11189-00-/191225172973

Has anyone installed and used this GSH 20 unit ?

I also found this on Garmin's web site

What will happen if the GWH 20 is connected to a VHF radio that has not been updated?
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09/08/2011
The GHS 20 is a wireless handheld that can connect to Garmin VHF 200, VHF 300, and VHF 300 AIS radios. The GWH 20 is the wireless hub that connects to the VHF radio that provides this wireless capability. In order to properly communicate with the GWH 20 and the GHS 20, the VHF radio requires a software update. This software update can only be installed by Garmin or by an authorized servicing dealer.

If the GWH 20 is connected to the VHF radio before the required software update is installed, the radio may immediately dispatch a distress call. This signal will be received by the coast guard and any boats in the area. To stop this call from transmitting, power down the VHF radio and remove the GWH 20. (If a distress call has been transmit, it is recommended you power the radio back on and contact the coast guard to cancel the distress call.)

To correct this issue and ensure that the VHF radio is compatible with the GWH 20 and GHS 20, please contact Garmin to set up a Return Material Authorization (RMA) to update the software in the VHF radio.

 

[knotflying]

I considered the GHS 20, but figured with a boat as small as ours needing the intercom feature was not really required. I also envision it going dead or falling overboard. And then there is the other phenomenon; Honey, did you see the TV remote, my glasses, my hat, my wallet, the keys? I just didn't want to add something else to the list! :lol:

 

[baz]

Mike:

Where did you purchase your GHS 10 from ? I feel a bit more comfortable buying from Garmin as they do say they include the mounting plate.

Given that the cable for this GSH 10 needs to plug into the rear of the stock Ranger VHS radio I took a look at the back of mine today. There seems to be but one connector that has a rubber protect cap on it. What about you ? have you figured out the correct connector on back of radio yet ?

This is the covered connector I could see.... [EDIT] ... and this is the microphone relocation connector.... see my next post as THIS IS the connector to be used.

The mounting plate could go on either side of the Johnson pump switch I guess.

 

[baz]

OK.... found the info I wanted by reviewing the VHF 200 radio installation.... 🙂

 

[knotflying]

Baz,
You have the information correct. I installed the mic connection on the dash just to the right of the radio and left of the steering hub and in line with the bottom of the radio. The wire then runs below the radio, out of the way and I can clip it into the old mic clip. A definite improvement over kneeling and trying to see the screen. I purchased the mic through Amazon, free shipping. Although it was a third party, I find purchasing through Amazon has been reliable.
While I was at it I bit the bullet and also added AIS receive. I plan on doing a trip in the fall down the Tennesee and Tom Bigbee rivers and feel that seeing the big boys in advance coming around the bend will be a helpful safety tool. A very easy installation with receive only. Basically plug and play and attaching power.

 

[baz]

Thanks Mike.

You and I are on the same path, so to speak.

Where did you get your AIS Receive unit from ?
What brand & model was it ?
Where did you locate the AIS unit ?
Was the AIS power supply easy to connect up ?
I assume the AIS connects to Garmin 5212 (or similar unit) somehow; was this straight forward ?

Thanks for any details on this AIS installation.

BTW... The GSH 10 comes with just shy of 33-feet of cable. 😱 That's a lot of cable to coil up somewhere. How did you handle this ?

 

[knotflying]

Where did you get your AIS Receive unit from ? - AMAZON
What brand & model was it ? - GARMIN AIS 300
Where did you locate the AIS unit ? - In the V-berth, starboard, behind helm wiring cabinet sticks out about 8 inches, lay down with head against wall and look up.
Was the AIS power supply easy to connect up ? - Has its own fuse, so ran lead right to positive power main and negative to buss
I assume the AIS connects to Garmin 5212 (or similar unit) somehow; was this straight forward ? -Yes, it comes with all necessary connections. Remove terminal end off of NMEA buss and add connection. Remember to add back the terminal end.
Thanks for any details on this AIS installation.

BTW... The GSH 10 comes with just shy of 33-feet of cable. 😱 That's a lot of cable to coil up somewhere. How did you handle this ? - I coiled it in a six inch loop and tied it with zip ties to keep it together and just let it lay in with the other wiring.

 

[baz]

Mike:

Amazon shows this one for the Garmin GSH 10 -- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HC92M2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AL09J9CKIG9A. Is this the one you ordered and did it come with the Mounting plate and the Mic hanger ?

Here's Amazon's Garmin's AIS 300 unit --- http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Automa...&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=Garmin+AIS+300. Is this the one you ordered ?

Both are sold by Amazon's partner Less Is Always More LLC.

One more question: Did you find you had to install any software updates to the Garmin 5212 Chart Plotter when adding either the GSH 10 and/or AIS 300 ?

Thanks. 🙂