VHF Radio Issue

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.
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Was your reception limited also? I don't know much on the subject but if both the range of transmit and reception have degraded you have an antenna, cable, connection problem. If one works fine and the other doesn't you have a radio problem. This limited transmit range coupled with the fact that, at times it is always transmitting, to me says it's a radio problem. Who installed it? If it was a pro job they could check your radio and answer your questions in a few minutes.
 
I installed it myself. I have installed many many amps, radios and the like. Never had an issue until now. I guess I will pull it out and return it and see if it fixes the issue. I just don't understand why it will only transmit and receive over a short distance.

Woody said:
Was your reception limited also? I don't know much on the subject but if both the range of transmit and reception have degraded you have an antenna, cable, connection problem. If one works fine and the other doesn't you have a radio problem. This limited transmit range coupled with the fact that, at times it is always transmitting, to me says it's a radio problem. Who installed it? If it was a pro job they could check your radio and answer your questions in a few minutes.
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Is this the same radio or did you get a new one?
If it is the same radio, there is a good chance that the transmit power transistor is damaged from being stuck in the on position. When full on, a lot of heat is generated which will cause a failure of the power transistor.
The other possiblility is that there is a problem with the antenna cable or the antenna itself.
The only way that you can tell is with a wattmeter.
It is either that or borrow a radio from someone, hook it up and see if it works properly.
 
It's the same radio Jerry. Yesterday I turned on the weather channel and it came in loud and clear. Not sure if that matters or not. Maybe a watt meter is the best option here. Even if I borrowed or purchased a new radio, I would have no guarentee that it would work (if the antena is the issue).

JerryS said:
Is this the same radio or did you get a new one?
If it is the same radio, there is a good chance that the transmit power transistor is damaged from being stuck in the on position. When full on, a lot of heat is generated which will cause a failure of the power transistor.
The other possiblility is that there is a problem with the antenna cable or the antenna itself.
The only way that you can tell is with a wattmeter.
It is either that or borrow a radio from someone, hook it up and see if it works properly.
Click to expand...
 
It's kind of a sticky wickit! :) If you borrowed someones radio and tried it and it worked ok, you would know that the antenna and cable are good.
A wattmeter is going to tell you if your radio is putting out a good strong signal, but, is it worth spending a 100 bucks on. These radios are pretty much Kleenex items.

West Marine has a tester for about 120 bucks:
6886915.jpg
 
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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...

I know of only one VHF radio that will allow you to keep the mike keyed for over 10 minutes without doing any damage. You have blown the transmitting finals out on your radio. I did the same thing on an ICOM a few years ago. It's cheaper to buy a new radio than to get it fixed.


Ken
 
Iprof said:
I know of only one VHF radio that will allow you to keep the mike keyed for over 10 minutes without doing any damage. You have blown the transmitting finals out on your radio. I did the same thing on an ICOM a few years ago. It's cheaper to buy a new radio than to get it fixed.


Ken
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I agree totally and it is what I have been saying. The chances that the transmitter is fried and the receiver front end is blown out are pretty good. Odds of something being wrong with the antenna or cable are probably pretty slim since the original issue was a stuck transmit button. These radios are pretty cheap, so they can be replaced without too much financial damage. A wattmeter would be nice, but, after you use it once, what do you do with it? Personally, I would just buy another radio.
 
When mine was giving me trouble I took it to Radio World in Toronto, any store that specializes in ham, VHF and CB radios should be able to test it for you. It took them only a few minutes while I waited for them to test it, the cost of the test, free. I didn't even purchase the new radio from them at that time, wanted to do some research before I purchased. There is one other thing to keep in mind with the VHF and the antenna, they cannot be closer than 3' to each other or you get interference. I can't take credit for coming up with that, I read it on the Shakespeare website when I was reaching the purchase of my new radio. I hope this gives you a few things to think about and some answers.

Ken
 
Thanks Ken. I will see if West Marine tests radios. Otherwise, just get a new one.
 
Here is the update on my radio. The antena was not soldered correctly. I believe that this caused something to overload during transmission.

The radio transmits and receives for a few hundred feet. After that, it does not work (except for receiving VERY strong signals). Anyhow, it looks like I need a new radio....
 
Easy Mic check. I assume you have a TX indicator on the radio. With radio OFF unplug the MIC, turn the radio on, the TX indicator should be off. Turn radio off, plug mic in, if TX is on its the Mic. PROBABLY easily repairable. I believe technically you need an FCC license to make any repairs, but... open the plug on the mic (usually a set or hex screw) pull back the jacket. My bet is the red wire is loose, and / or able to touch the ground (not insulated wire). Simply re-soldering the wire to the post should correct the problem.

*if you do not have a TX indicator turn the squelch down so you hear nothing but static, if you transmit the static will go away*
 
Good to know. I'll give it a try this weekend. Thanks for the info!

chandalen said:
Easy Mic check. I assume you have a TX indicator on the radio. With radio OFF unplug the MIC, turn the radio on, the TX indicator should be off. Turn radio off, plug mic in, if TX is on its the Mic. PROBABLY easily repairable. I believe technically you need an FCC license to make any repairs, but... open the plug on the mic (usually a set or hex screw) pull back the jacket. My bet is the red wire is loose, and / or able to touch the ground (not insulated wire). Simply re-soldering the wire to the post should correct the problem.

*if you do not have a TX indicator turn the squelch down so you hear nothing but static, if you transmit the static will go away*
Click to expand...
 
Sorry to hear about the radio, thanks for the update. On the bright side there have been big changes in radios the past few years and the prices have come way down, make sure you get one with distress button and get an MMSI number. My ICOM came with a remote mic, it is located in the galley and works as an intercom, great while under way and the wife is below plus I can monitor the radio when we are anchored and down below.

Ken
 
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