Can't hear VHF with the engine on

[SkaterRace]

I have a 21ft center console boat with a Mercury 225 outboard. I have a Simrad VHF installed below the steering wheel. Anytime the engine is on it is hard to hear any calls on the VHF and when on plane I can't hear a damm thing. Volume is up at the max and a NMEA 2000 system I am installing today (AIS).

Is there anything I can do to make it so I can hear my VHF radio any better? Not being able to hear it on plane essentially means I could never hear channel 16 or when large ships say they are going through the area (I am on a river and it makes a big difference).

Thanks in advance!

 

[alldodge]

Most all VHF have an AUX or EXT jack. Connect a external head phones or external speaker to it

 

[SkaterRace]

Most all VHF have an AUX or EXT jack. Connect a external head phones or external speaker to it

Hmm any suggestions on where you'd mount one on a 21ft center console that has a hard top?

I found an ICOM one with a bracket that seems like it could work if I can find a spot

 

[alldodge]

On the hard top just above your head

I might lean more toward a head set
LINK

 

[SkaterRace]

On the hard top just above your head

I might lean more toward a head set
LINK

What would the draw to a headset be over a speaker?

 

[alldodge]

What would the draw to a headset be over a speaker?

You said you couldn't hear the radio up full and it's on the console.

They even make bluetooth VHF so could just be an ear piece with no wires

 

[SkaterRace]

You said you couldn't hear the radio up full and it's on the console.

They even make bluetooth VHF so could just be an ear piece with no wires

The radio full up is less volume than I'd get out of my cell phone playing music. I have actually used speaker phone to call people while on plane and heard them better than I can my VHF. I wonder if it is because it is so low or if the speaker is just horrible.

 

[cyclops222]

Some VHF cell towers are too far away ? Been there. Also if you are using a short antenna with the VHF unit. Several things can cause low volume.

 

[Mc Tool]

If you have a. 3.5mm speaker socket you might want to look at those usb powered boom box ext speaker things the youth of today ( ugh ) seem to need , actually they work really well

 

[alldodge]

The radio full up is less volume than I'd get out of my cell phone playing music. I have actually used speaker phone to call people while on plane and heard them better than I can my VHF. I wonder if it is because it is so low or if the speaker is just horrible.

Good point, Speaker on a VHF is maybe 2 inch, and not of good quality
Probably why so many Ext speakers are sold

 

[dingbat]

Previous boat the radio and an external speaker hung under the helm.

On the current boat, radio is mounted in the electronics box on the hardtop. No problem hearing radio working the transom

 

[Lou C]

I added a Standard Horizon speaker to my SH VHF, works well!

 

[mike_i]

What is a VHF cell tower? I retired from the industry never heard of it. Also the antenna has nothing to do with volume.

Some VHF cell towers are too far away ? Been there. Also if you are using a short antenna with the VHF unit. Several things can cause low volume.