VHF Radio (Broken? Replace?)

[Steve LeBlanc]

I have finally been able to get power to my VHF radio which came with the boat. When I turned it on, the backdrop lighted up and displayed numbers. But as I turned the volume up and squelch, no noise. I was on channel 16 and was hoping to hear something if not static. I made sure that the antenna cable was screwed in so hopefully, I had a non-grounded connection. When I keyed the mike (which may not have been a good idea) the key led did light up, once. So my question is, should I have an expert look it over? purchase another? and if I purchase another VHF, a mounted one will mean new cable run up the mast and a new antenna, or hand held.If anyone has a hand held VHF, could you let me know what you think about them.

 

[steve c]

i use a hand held

i like it a lot my wife baught it for me works great all over the lakes i sail and sits in the cockpit with me the problem i have now is i want a fixed mount vhf like yours but my wife sead my hand held is just fine!!!she does not under stand the difrence in power and range i would like to go sailing in the san juan islands the hand held wont cut it

 

[Doug Rodrigues]

Check the antenna cables

If the antenna cables are very old, replace them. As illogical as it may sound, old cables can bleed the signal to ground. Ask any aircraft radio technician. I assume that the same thing applies to boats. Maybe even more so. Also, use soldered connections, not the un-soldered ones.

 

[Don Berger]

not broken

Unless you let all the smoke out, it probably isn't broken. The fact that you heard nothing even with the squelch open would lead me to first check the speaker cable connections. Even at low voltage you should hear noise. Let me know if that doesn't work and I can give you some other ideas before giving up on it.DonIllusion

 

[Ed Schenck]

Antenna tester.

Don's suggestion to check the speaker connections is a good one. Providing, of course, that it uses an external speaker. If the speaker is in the unit you could still check it if you have some electronic ability or friends that do. I carry a backup antenna. You could buy one as a way to test that end of the system. See the Related Link.A hand-held is a good idea. But only as a backup or for use around shore and the marina. Don't give up on a good VHF with mast mounted antenna. You will lose too much range.

 

[Steve Christensen]

Got a speaker?

In my humble opinion, your antenna has nothing to do with no noise. There should still be static. Does your radio have an internal speaker, or external? Clean connections to speaker? I think it sounds like a speaker problem more than an antenna problem. As far as the LED coming on, once; recheck your power source connections. Is the power cable crimped? I like handhelds for backup. On some models you can use the mast antenna for greater range. Good luck.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

To find out whether it's the antenna

Try it on another boat on which the radio is working. It's also possible that your power source is the problem--putting out enough power to light the LED, but not enough to power the radio. If it works on another boat, the problem is on your boat, not in the radio.Btw...most VHF mfrs have a "lifetime warranty" program: for $50 they'll fix whatever's wrong till it gets too old for the parts to be available any more. No charge if they can't fix it. I sent one at least 15 years old back to Uniden--got it from a dockmate who was on his way to the dumpster with it. They fixed it...it was still working fine when I sold the boat 4 years later. New ones may be cheap, but not THAT cheap.