Marine VHF Radio: Repair or Replace?
Our Standard Horizon HX460S radio has become screechy and friend thinks squelch control can be repaired or replaced. It may be old but has excellent battery life. Just at times screechy. Have you repaired a radio? Thinking of asking Standard Horizon for a repair quote - anyone done this? Given new units are advertised at starting prices of $100, what unit did you buy and why? What to look for in a replacement combo VHF marine / weather radio?
Thanks.
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peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
I’m impressed. Visited the Standard Horizon website, and received this response:
Hello Peter:
Thank you for contacting us regarding your question. If the radio as a whole is still working including the battery then it may be worth sending in.
If the unit is out of warranty include a note with your name, address, phone number, email address and a description of the issue the radio is having. There is a flat rate of $65 plus shipping if its repairable. If the unit is water damaged internally then our loyalty program will offer you a $25 voucher for use with the purchase of a new Standard Horizon radio.
If there is nothing wrong with the unit there is a $35 bench/estimate fee. If after the estimate you do not want the unit repaired, the cost to you is the $35 estimate fee and shipping. If you do not require a signature (appx $7) on the return shipping of your item, please fill out and physically send back the attached form. The form is needed before we can ship your item back to you.
Send the radio to the following address:
Standard Horizon
Attn: Marine Repairs
6125 Phyllis Drive
Cypress, Ca 90630
Best regards,
Juan Hernandez
Technical Support
j.hernandez@yaesu.com
Ph (714)827-7600
Fx (714)527-9472
www.standardhorizon.com
Due to the age of the radio, I will be replacing it. West Marine has an excellent You Tube series on hand held radios.
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
You might try squirting some contact cleaner down the stem of the squelch button.
I wish I spent a bit more on my handheld and got one with DCS and gps
Les
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
I bought a Standard Horizon HX870 a couple of years ago. About $200 USD, but it is full-featured, with GPS and DSC for digital emergency distress calls. It floats, too.
Ken Akers
1995 C-36 MkII #1378 SR/FK M35A
San Francisco Bay