What to do?

[wolverine]

The VHF has always been mounted inside the boat.  A couple years ago I noticed pieces of rubber on the salon floor.  As you can see in the picture, the coating on the mic cord is disintegrating.  The mic is hardwired not screwed in so replacing the mic isn't an option.  I'm thinking of spraying the cord with truck bedliner.

Any suggestions, comments?

[skylark]

That is a difficult problem to fix. I tried to think of a solution like covering the mic cable with a fabric tube of some kind.  I would probably replace the VHF and use that one as a backup.

[wolverine]

I was looking at shrink tubing, but it's too rigid.  The radio is 13 years old, but it works great and when installed it's wired to my Lowrance chartplotter, relaying my location to other boats and of course the DSC.
And of course I don't want to spend the money if I don't need to.

[Norman]

Lacking a better idea from others, a second best one is in order.

Buy a new coiled cord, and cut the old one half an inch from the radio, and half an inch from the mike.

Put an inch of heat shrink on each end of the new cord, carefully solder the ends to the stubs, matching the color code! Test to be sure that it works.

Insulate with liquid electrical tape, layered to get a little thicker than the wire insulation.

Slide the heat shrink in place against the radio or mike, and heat until it conforms.

Put a fillet of liquid electrical tape against the radio and mike to prevent bending there.  Be generous, and if the plastic surface is smooth, rough it up before the first coat.  Appearance is not important, reliability is.   :)

Alternately, buy a new mike complete with cord, and splice to the radio.

Liquid electric tape comes in several colors, for exposure to sunlight, black lasts best.

[CapnK]

Perhaps some Sugru?
https://sugru.com/

[wolverine]

Perhaps some Sugru?
https://sugru.com/

Very interesting.  I've never seen this before, definitely worth a try. 

[w00dy]

There is a user here, Cruiser2b, who repairs radios professionally. Not sure if he would respond to a PM asking for ideas, but it might be worth a shot.

I agree with Norman. You might be able to open up the radio and solder in a new mic cord. If you go this route, take pics and post them here so we can see the fun insides  :D

My guess is that if you look around you might be able to find another used one for a reasonable amount. Might be cheaper than the time/money/runaround of a "fix".

[wolverine]

There is a user here, Cruiser2b, who repairs radios professionally. Not sure if he would respond to a PM asking for ideas, but it might be worth a shot.

I agree with Norman. You might be able to open up the radio and solder in a new mic cord. If you go this route, take pics and post them here so we can see the fun insides  :D

My guess is that if you look around you might be able to find another used one for a reasonable amount. Might be cheaper than the time/money/runaround of a "fix".

This is true, however I hate the idea of discarding something that can be fixed.  We already have too many landfills.  Until very recently we had place in town that fixed everything.  I'm told he rebuilt cars, bicycles, refinished furniture, even refurbished an old jukebox.  A 10 minute drive away is a shop that installs and programs marine radios.  I'll see if I can get an estimate from him. 

[s/v Faith]

I can’t tell from the pictures…. Is that an icom?   If so, they are replacing mic cords (even on really old radios).   If it is one of theirs you should contact their customer service.

[s/v Faith]

Just clicked on the pic …. Belay my
Last. …  :o