VHF mystery

[Bob F]

My VHF mounted on the pedestal has started to pickup NOAA weather while I'm monitoring Ch 16. It comes and goes, but its annoying. Radio is 8 yrs old. Other than that it works fine. Is the radio having problems internally? Or just the nature of VHF radio in S. California? Maybe its a sign from the VHF gods that I need a new VHF with DSC. I guess I could use it as an excuse to spend another $250 on my boat.Bob

 

[Doghouse]

loose front end or weather alert button

You may have a weather alert button, that switches over every now and again. Or you set your watch scan to the weather channel. Other than that your radio's front end could be starting to fail in its ability to descriminate signals. THat being said, it is highly unlikey you would only get interference from the weather channel. I would put my bets on the first two. Although, SWMBO does not know that and you could get the approval to upgrade to a DSC unit before this one fails.

 

[Benny]

Sounds good to me!

My excuse was different; on a previous boat I had at the admiral's suggestion I installed a small microwave oven right under the VHF radio and needless to say it fried it. I told her not to feel bad about it that it was an old radio which needed upgrading anyways. Tallied some points and got a new radio.

 

[Landsend]

Why spend so much?

You can buy a Uniden DSC VHF radio at Boater's World for $99 bucks. Comes in black or white.