Apelco VHF 5200 radio has no sound or squelch.

[friscoron]

I have a Apelco VHF 5200 radio that has no volume sound or squelch.

Here is what I have and know:
1) I have radio manual that gives Apelco phone no. (which I will do).
2) The manual date shows it's 9/94. (sounds like an old radio).
3) My sailboat is a 1999 Hunter 376 I bought 2 1/2 years ago and never checked to see if radio worked. (my bad).
4) The radio displays all channels when selected.
5) The radio has antenna on top of mast.
6) The radio's circuit breaker is on and lit at navigational panel.
7) The radio is installed (flush mounted) with other instruments on my pedestal console at helm.
8) The radio doesn't have digital selective calling. (DSC)

Questions?
1) Shouldn't I just buy another radio. Since they so cheap now days?
2) How do I know it's not an antenna issue?
3) Are 5 1/2" wide X 2" high X 6" deep radios easy to fine (that's my existing cutout hole for current radio at the helm).

Any advice would be most appreciated.

[pesarsten]

Just a few suggestions,
Consider replacing the radio with a new DSC equipped unit as a safety item. You can fabricate a bezel to cover the old opening if the dimensions don't work.

It is possible that after 20 years, the speaker has failed in the old unit. An antenna problem would still give you static noise with the squelch turned down. Of course it could be many other things.
If you know of any Ham radio shops, they should be able to check the unit out. If it's possible to repair, you'll end up with a 20 year old radio of unknown reliability and lacking a useful safety feature.
For what it costs to replace its probably not worth attempting repair.

[Don C L]

Apelco, that’s a name I haven’t seen in a while. I too vote for getting a new one, probably one that also receives AIS.

[KeelMe]

Good luck calling Apelco. Raymarine purchased them years ago.

Throw that thing away. You can buy a new radio for just about any price you want.

[BrianGJS]

Some good suggestions from others but you might try plugging in an external speaker. The radio should work if the internal speaker is your problem.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by pesarsten

Just a few suggestions,
Consider replacing the radio with a new DSC equipped unit as a safety item. You can fabricate a bezel to cover the old opening if the dimensions don't work.

It is possible that after 20 years, the speaker has failed in the old unit. An antenna problem would still give you static noise with the squelch turned down. Of course it could be many other things.
If you know of any Ham radio shops, they should be able to check the unit out. If it's possible to repair, you'll end up with a 20 year old radio of unknown reliability and lacking a useful safety feature.
For what it costs to replace its probably not worth attempting repair.

Plus the cost of repair may be as much as a new radio or more.

[pesarsten]

I think this unit is the Cat's Whiskers!
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/stand...22?recordNum=3

requires a cutout just a little bigger than your old radio.

[guyrj33]

Just buy a new radio with DSC and AIS.

[friscoron]

I bought it. Standard Horizon Eclipse GX 1300. 25 watt with ITU Class -D DSC transceiver. That's all I need. Fits right in my existing hole cut out on my pedestal console at helm. Will install it tomorrow. I don't need that GPS/AIS stuff right now. For 149 US dollars and it fits in existing hole. I'm a happy camper.

[Neptune's Gear]

Change the antenna and the coax as well if you want a good signal, they will both be past their best...

[friscoron]

Matt,
Hopefully I won't have to change coax & antenna. That's more money. Wish me luck. LOL

[Neptune's Gear]

You likely won't HAVE TO, but you should, as the new radio wont work as well as it could. Old coax degrades, and so do the antennas. Your one is pretty old!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by friscoron

Matt,
Hopefully I won't have to change coax & antenna. That's more money. Wish me luck. LOL

If they are the same age as that radio you will

Oh sure they may work, close to shore etc but if you want a good signal and clear sound off shore then it will need a bit of work with a decent coax and antenna, not something cheap from Defender.

Some light reading:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...nna-99651.html

[friscoron]

Hi all, and I got pictures

1) I have an old NAV/398 GPS NMEA 0183 version 1 protocol. GPS works fine. Manual shows Yellow data output (+), and Green data output (-).

2) I Just bought a new Standard Horizon Eclipse GX1300 DSC class D VHF Radio NMEA 0183 version 2 protocol. Manual & visual shows Yellow input (+), Green input (-).

3) I want to connect new radio with old GPS with the 2 wires to have Digital Selective Calling. Appears both units are compatible.

4) All my instruments are located on pedestal/console at the helm.

5) I took off the instrument panel that has all the sea talk instruments. I can't reach down far enough to see where the GPS connection terminals are. It's like 3 ft down and hidden with wires.

6) I can see and unplug (unscrew) the GPS input.

7) My Question: How can I splice the two GPS yellow & green wires to my radio yellow and green wires. Remember I only have access where GPS is plug in. I can only reach to a foot to make a connection.

8) So what kind of connectors/splicers can I use to make this work. So when I go to the marine electronics store. The know what I'm talking about?

Attached is photos.