Bill,

It sounds like your wiring is wrong. Without your switch connected,
First check to make sure that the common wire on the stereo is really
at ground on the radio.

Next check to see that one of the wires out of the marine radio is at
ground on the radio.

If both have those leads grounded on each unit then you can do what
you want with the double pole double throw switch.

Leave the common speaker leads grounded to the common lead on the
stereo. Place each of the other speaker leads on the CENTER poles of
the switch. (one on each pole) On one end of the switch place each of
the leads from the stereo. Now when the switch is in one position the
speakers will be hooked as they normally were to the stereo. In the
other position of the switch one lead of each speaker will be
disconnected from the stereo. In that position of the switch the
speakers will now be hooked to the opposite end of the switch.

You can hook the ungrounded lead of the marine radio to one of the
poles on the opposite end of the switch from where the stereo radio is
hooked.
The grounded speaker lead from the marine radio would get connected to
the grounded connection of the stereo and speaker ground junction.

Now with the switch in the marine radio position the stereo is
disconnected on both channels and the marine radio is connected to ONE
of the speakers. If you want both of the speakers to be connected to
the marine radio place a jumper wire between the two terminals on the
end of the switch that the marine radio is connected to. (one of those
would have been the only unused pole on the switch)

Regards
Gary


On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 13:31:24 -0800, "Bill Andersen"
wrote:

The stereo has a separate output and ground for each speaker.
The VHF has a built-in speaker and a outlet for an external speaker jack.
The DPDT switch has 6 posts, I cut one of the wires from the stereo to each
speaker and ran them to the left and center posts of the switch so, when the
switch is to the left, the stereo is connected to the speakers.
I ran a wire from the external speaker jack of the VHF to the right and
center posts of the switch so, when the switch is to the right, the VHF is
connected to the speakers.


"Larry" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 08:50:30 -0800, Bill Andersen wrote:

I want to use the two stereo speakers of my boats AM/FM/Cassette Player
for
my VHF radio. I wired both radios to a Double Pole Double Throw switch.
The
AM/FM/Cassette Player works, but the VHF radio volume is so low I can
barely
hear it.
The specifications for both radios state 4-8 ohm speakers. The
AM/FM/Cassette Player states 14 watts RMS maximum stereo power, the VHF
radio states 4 watts audio output.
Is there anyway I can use the stereo speakers for both radios? If not,
will
the VHF radio have enough power to hear it if I add two of the
mini-speakers
designed for it in the rear cockpit area?

I'm not sure how you wired it as the VHF radio most likely has a single
speaker output and the stereo has two outputs (right and left) and may
share a common ground. You can use the stereo speakers for both radios,
but you should turn off whichever radio is not connected to the speakers
to
avoid blowing out the audio section.

If it were me, I'd add a SINGLE remote speaker to the VHF radio, making
sure it is plugged into a connection designed to power a speaker.
--

Larry
email is rapp at lmr dot com