VHF Transmit Button Out - Worth Fixing?

[Constancia]

ICOM-45 fixed mount VHF, has seen 5 years of offshore service. The transmit button on the mic is intermittent to not working at all. Otherwise, the radio works fine. Closer examination shows that this is a tiny microswitch activated by a big rubber button on the mic. In other words, I can't really clean the contacts or do anything else to fix it myself; I'm sure the microswitch is shot.<br /><br />I located the exact same radio, brand new for $129 on Ebay. Was thinking of upgrading, but an exact replacement is probably easiest because of the way it's mounted over my GPS in my overhead electronics box -- I know it will fit perfectly without having to relocate brackets and drill new holes and such.<br /><br />Just looking for general opinion here - is it even worth trying to have it fixed or just toss it and buy a new one? Does anyone even attempt to have electronics serviced these days? If I thought fixing it wouldn't cost as much as a new unit, I'd be tempted to fix it and keep it as a backup.

 

[jyasaki]

Re: VHF Transmit Button Out - Worth Fixing?

Originally posted by Mackerelena:<br /> ICOM-45 fixed mount VHF, has seen 5 years of offshore service. The transmit button on the mic is intermittent to not working at all. Otherwise, the radio works fine.

Can't you replace the microphone itself? [Not familiar with the ICOM.]<br /><br />jky

 

[Constancia]

Re: VHF Transmit Button Out - Worth Fixing?

Mic is hardwired into the unit. I suppose if I took it all apart, I might be able to solder a new one in. But, that's kind of my point -- by the time I ordered and replaced a new mic, have I saved myself anything over just buying a whole new unit? P'bably not.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: VHF Transmit Button Out - Worth Fixing?

Toss it.<br /><br />Well, maybe keep it in a drawer and keep an eye opened on E-Bay for a dead one or maybe just a mike. Its not big deal replacing one, but its not worth paying ICOM price for one either. The alternative is shipping it back to Washington but that's gonna cost you shipping both ways plus about $30 fix it, so with half the price of a new on in the mike button you'd still have a 5-year-old radio. On top of that you'd have to wait 3 weeks to get it back this time of year. See what I mean? I'd buy another M-45. Oh, I think the M-59 shared the same mount with the M-45 but I'm not absolutly sure on that.<br /><br />Thom

 

[Kesh]

Re: VHF Transmit Button Out - Worth Fixing?

can you just open the mic, disconnect the cable, and take it to an electronic repair shop to replace the microswitch ? That is a fast repair, and the new microswitch plus soldering cost should be a fifth of the $129 I guess.n For a radio repair shop, finding a similar microswitch (new or used from discarded radio) should be pretty easy.