VHF Radio Issue

surfinjoe

surfinjoe

New Member
Feb 23, 2007
946
Michigan
Boat Info
220 Sundeck 2007
Engines
350 MAG w/Bravo III
Last year I installed a Cobra VHF radio in my boat with an 8' shakespere antenna. When ever I turn the radio on, I get people telling me that the key is on, thus giving me no choice but to use my handheld VHF. I have spent hours messing with the antena and radio to no avail. Any ideas?

I am thinking that the mic is bad or something. I did a test with my handheld VHF. Basically, the key does stick ON all the time, making 2 way communication impossible.
 
This may be a silly question, but could the mic have been bad from the factory? The radio never did work.

My radio does have DCS. Just never registered it since it doesn't work :(

AKBASSKING said:
Most likley a bad mic. Replace if you can. If not replace your VHF with a new one that has DSC on it. Then regisiter it.

VHF radios are faily cheap these days.
Click to expand...
 
Have you fooled around with the push to talk button to see if it somehow got jammed?
 
What do you mean by fooled around? I push it, pull it, smack it but nothing changes. I did not take the mic apart. Maybe that would be a good idea.

Just not sure why I would have to do this with a new radio but OK.

JerryS said:
Have you fooled around with the push to talk button to see if it somehow got jammed?
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, either the button is stuck or contacts inside the mic are touching causing an always on situation.
Is the mic a one piece molded deal or can you take it apart to see what the problem is?
 
When you push the "talk" button, all that it does is to close a 12V circuit that picks up a relay inside the radio. That relay electronically blocks any signals to the receiver and it activates the transmit part of the radio. So, if it is always in transmit mode, either the mic is stuck "on" or that relay is bad.
If you can't find the problem, I have a Standard Horizon GX1000 DSC that I'll sell to you for $60 (shipping pd). I bought it last year.

!CFYIPh!EWk~$(KGrHqJ,!gwE05yEC9QyBNU4RbuC-g~~0_1.JPG
 
PM sent

JerryS said:
When you push the "talk" button, all that it does is to close a 12V circuit that picks up a relay inside the radio. That relay electronically blocks any signals to the receiver and it activates the transmit part of the radio. So, if it is always in transmit mode, either the mic is stuck "on" or that relay is bad.
If you can't find the problem, I have a Standard Horizon GX1000 DSC that I'll sell to you for $60 (shipping pd). I bought it last year.

!CFYIPh!EWk~$(KGrHqJ,!gwE05yEC9QyBNU4RbuC-g~~0_1.JPG
Click to expand...
 
surfinjoe said:
Last year I installed a Cobra VHF radio in my boat with an 8' shakespere antenna. When ever I turn the radio on, I get people telling me that the key is on, thus giving me no choice but to use my handheld VHF. I have spent hours messing with the antena and radio to no avail. Any ideas?

I am thinking that the mic is bad or something. I did a test with my handheld VHF. Basically, the key does stick ON all the time, making 2 way communication impossible.
Click to expand...


Did you buy it from West Marine? Lots of time they will just take it back and give you a new one. Send it back to cobra what have you got to loose?

Mike:huh:
 
I am just annoyed with it. What really makes me mad is that I actually needed it last summer to call the harbor master to reserve a slip at put-in bay. They don't do cell phones. I had to use my hand held and the battery was dying. Then I had to plug it into the charger, hook up my inverter and look like a damn fool....all the while trying to keep the boat out of the way of traffic.

Funny (but not) story....once we finally got ahold of the harbor master, we tried to tie-up to the outer seawall in 3-4 foot waves (not fun at all). My wife tried to throw a line to someone and slipped and fell-in....

She was a good sport about it but took a beating on the way down the seawall. Poor wife. I am just thankfull that she wasn't hurt. We will never do that again.

electricaldoctor said:
Atta boy!! Even if it is a bit over, a reputable dealer may work with you on this Joe.
Click to expand...
 
I can see why you would be ticked off. From your original question, I presumed that you could not return/exchange the radio for some reason. Obviously if you can take it back, that is the way to go.
 
No, you have to have a license to work on the transmitter.
 
OK, here is my update. Tested the radio over the weekend. It seems to work OK for short range (75' or less) but does not have any power after that. I don't understand what's going on with this stupid thing. Any ideas what would cause the radio to only transmit a short distance? I have it set on High currently.
 
surfinjoe said:
OK, here is my update. Tested the radio over the weekend. It seems to work OK for short range (75' or less) but does not have any power after that. I don't understand what's going on with this stupid thing. Any ideas what would cause the radio to only transmit a short distance? I have it set on High currently.
Click to expand...

SJ
Sounds like you should just return it if possible and buy a different brand. IMO, your VHF is one of the most important pieces of equipment on your boat.
Best of luck.
 
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