VHF Radio Not Working.

[patrick33308]

Recently bought back my 93 H33.5 and now discover that the VFH radio is not transmitting. It does receive the Weather and can receive on 16 but I am unable to get a radio check.

I have ordered a SWR meter and 3 ft of cable so that I can check the signal strength at the radio and then at the antenna at the top of the mast.

As an aside, the gentleman who owned the boat for 2 years did no maintenance on the boat, trashed all the systems, a/c, hot water, sold the dinghy and motor along with the anchor for money.

Anybody have a similar instance where the VHF didn't work, and how did you fix it ???

 

[justsomeguy]

I recently had a bad connector, but all it took was a disassembly/assembly to fix. It was receiving just fine, but not transmitting.

Beg, borrow or steal another radio that's known to operate, and plug it in?

 

[patrick33308]

I have two radios, one at the helm that is new and the 2nd is the original radio, both go thru a manual switch that I must use to select the radio being used.
Neither radio will get a radio check response.
When I get the SWR meter I'll check the output at the switch first.

 

[justsomeguy]

I have two radios, one at the helm that is new and the 2nd is the original radio, both go thru a manual switch that I must use to select the radio being used.
Neither radio will get a radio check response.
When I get the SWR meter I'll check the output at the switch first.

Sounds as if you've got a lot of connectors... Good luck!

 

[caguy]

When you go up the mast to check your connector don't forget your crescent wrench.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I have two radios, one at the helm that is new and the 2nd is the original radio, both go thru a manual switch that I must use to select the radio being used.
Neither radio will get a radio check response.
When I get the SWR meter I'll check the output at the switch first.

Those switches are notorious for failing. Sometimes you can verify the integrity of a switch with simple continuity test. Even if the switch fails, you can often still receive as the coax between the radio and switch acts like an inefficient antenna.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Last time I could receive but not transmit, it was because some fat ass bird had broken the stainless masthead antennae off and left just a stump.
Took me a while before I looked up, "Well, no wonder they can't hear me!!!!"

 

[azguy]

I second the borrow a radio idea and see if it works, it would be the easiest form of trouble shooting...

 

[justsomeguy]

I like Don's theory, the switch being the culprit.

But this site wouldn't allow me to "like" his response. Seems I have already "liked" too many of his responses!

So there, Don.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I second the borrow a radio idea and see if it works, it would be the easiest form of trouble shooting...

One caution with this - some radios do not cut back power upon seeing a high SWR which would occur with a bad switch or faulty coax connection. You could damage or destroy someone's transceiver as a result.

 

[Benny17441]

Check your cable connector to the antenna. Birds like to stand on them. The fact that you get channel 16 and weather tells me the cable connection at the radio is fine as you have some antenna effect. Try transmitting to a handheld radio some 20' away and if the transmitter in the radio is good they should be able to hear you. If they do your problem is definitely in the cable and antenna.

 

[Brian D]

One other thing that I saw mentioned briefly. I had the same problem several years ago. Could never figure it out until I replaced the radio. I found that the shield of the coax came off the connector. I could receive just fine on any and all channels. I just couldn't really talk to anyone greater than .5 miles away.

When you check your connectors, unscrew them so you can see both the center conductor and the shield and make sure both are making good contact.