In 2002 we were leaving Chaguaramas Trinidad after being there for hurricane season. While we were there I purchased a simple Icom VHF and installed it in the cockpit to use for boat-to-boat & close range contact. We never noticed a problem until we left and started North toward the Windward Islands. I was familiar with the general direction so I didn't look at the compass until just through the cut. That's when the squall hit. Couldn't see very far but I could see the compass which was giving our direction as 'East'. HUH? ,, I knew we were heading somewhere near North. That's the direction you take.

Just then it struck me, I installed the VHF on the helm to the left of the compass and the needle always pointed to the speaker on the VHF. It didn't make any difference where we were headed, it pointed to the VHF. There was no North, South, East or West, only the magnet on the radio. We were still in the squall and I had to check the chart plotter in the nav station to get a proper course & then just keep going straight. The compass was useless. I quickly unscrewed the radio and set it on the cockpit sole.

Funny, the compass now worked fine. We were headed in the right direction.