How to prevent wind noise in a handheld Mic ?

[Quickflash]

I was wondering if there is good experience on how to reduce windnoise in a VHF handheld mic ?

It is highly frustrating when all the equipment is working fine, but they still cant understand what you are saying because of the wind blowing into the mic. (or you cant understand what somebody else is saying.)
Particularly at speed, this seems to be a big issue.

I understand that water blocking the slits of the mike may also contribute, but what about ideas on windnoise.
The TV crews on TV have these big fluffy things stuck on their mic's but I dont think this will be a great idea on a rib.

Any clever ideas ?

Thanks

[SPR]

Slow down before using the radio! Then you can shelter it from wind!

[Dry Run]

Eat less sprouts?

[Courageous]

Ghent is not Brussels!

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Quickflash

I was wondering if there is good experience on how to reduce windnoise in a VHF handheld mic ?

Doesn't have to be big an fluffy; a sleeve of open cell foam will help. Other than that, find a position that minimizes air movement on the mike (duck down below the windscreen, or put the mic inside the flap of your parka lapel) before transmitting. Not much else you can do, as far as I know.

I understand that water blocking the slits of the mike may also contribute,

I find it's usually water pooled on the speaker cone rather than blockage. Water droplets keep the membrane from vibrating with your voice, yielding a muffled sound. When it's wet, a quick slap of the mic face against your thigh clears that right up.

jky

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Dry Run

Eat less sprouts?

Don't answer Matt h??!

[Quickflash]

Well thank you for all your helpfull comments. I am surprised that nobody really sees this as a problem. I agree that slowing down will help but sometimes when you are travelling in a group of boats, you cant really slow down or shelter behind your console as you wont know where you are going.

I also thought about some kind of cellfoam solution but I thought somebody else must have found a much more practical solution ??

[Poly]

QF,

I've never had a problem being heard by others, but at any sort of speed I struggle to hear others clearly. Because of this the automatic response is to slow down when using the radio anyway (and because you have fewer hands to steer / work throttle!).

If I was in a situation where I expected to need to talk whilst at speed often then I'd probably look at ear pieces. I've never considered the wind noise on "my" mike before - but I guess if it is an issue then perhaps the bluetooth headsets Bruce B was discussing a few months ago might help - especially if they are inside a helmet.

[Ruari 29]

Ive bought and used ear pieces for my handheld vhf, worked well, I used for safety boat/regatta, cost about £15 each.
Just watch you volume control, someone always shouts in your ear.

[wiLlfish]

Originally Posted by Quickflash

Any clever ideas ?

redbaiy cabbin rib

[EnglishLes]

I used to go Paragliding and had a mike & mini-speaker in my open faced helmet with a PTT on top of the helmet (where my hands were). My flying speed was 20mph+. Wind noise was never a problem but the mike was obviously protected from most of the wind.

[Jorgos]

At the begining I thouht that you own a small boat, so nowhere to hide.
But on a scorpion, I am almost sure that hiding yourself behind the windscreen so you will have not problem.
One good idea is to look for a better VHF

[jwalker]

A piece of acoustic foam stuck over the microphone will work well. It doesn't need to cover anything but the mic element. Acoustic foam is commonly used as domesic loudspeaker covering. There are different grades, I use a medium cell size. There are folk on ebay who sell it and they also would send you a free sample. A bit naughty to make use of that but I'm sure someone would send you a sample sized piece for a nominal fee.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by jwalker

A piece of acoustic foam stuck over the microphone will work well. It doesn't need to cover anything but the mic element. Acoustic foam is commonly used as domesic loudspeaker covering. There are different grades, I use a medium cell size. There are folk on ebay who sell it and they also would send you a free sample. A bit naughty to make use of that but I'm sure someone would send you a sample sized piece for a nominal fee.

Hmmm I wonder if it has the reverse effect for outbound messages when taped over the wifes 'loud haler'

some peace to watch the rugby would be nice

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

...some peace to watch the rugby would be nice

Maskin tape sir?

[Hightower]

Stick the mic up Spongebob's backside. You won't have a problem then.

[Quickflash]

using the / a winshield as protection does make it better, but the problem is that you don't know yourself if the other guy has understood what you have said, until he tells you so. Unfortunately the other guy has -quite often- the same problem, wind noise in the mic. So this can go on for quite a while, untile naturally, you do stop and transmit clearly.
I will try with some acoustic foam and see what the result will be. Otherwise as been suggested here, i wil try the earphone method.

Thanks all.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Maskin tape sir?

You trying to get me arrested ? ...