VHF send issue, buzz sound

[SG]

You need to turn-off the both of the circuits. Then you need to trace and see if you're getting current in one from turn-in on the other. You'll have trace things.

WAS IT WORKING AS IT SHOULD BEFORE? Did you add, change, or do anything?
Who's been in your electrical panel?

 

[gertonw]

I’ve been cleaning up and I was tracing my original VHF issue. I must have disturbed something.
I’m in class for the next 2 weeks, so will get back to all at that time.
Thanks all for your help and suggestions so far.

 

[JimInPB]

The two radios share an antenna....

If this is the case, then a wiring problem is much more likely.

If you moved any wires during your work on the fridge, & some motor wires are now running next to some radio wires, then this may be your problem.

In any salt water boat, a corroded negative wire is always a likelihood.

 

[JimInPB]

...
What is also new I discovered today, that if I want to switch on a light, I also have to have the courtesy lights enabled on the panel, besides the regular overhead lights switch on the panel?
...

This sounds like a wiring problem.

 

[Rick D]

The two radios share an antenna. Indeed the noise is new.
What is also new I discovered today, that if I want to switch on a light, I also have to have the courtesy lights enabled on the panel, besides the regular overhead lights switch on the panel?
Do I have a crossed ground in my panel, or one missing?

Interesting. Can't be of help since I always have them both on when on the boat. I leave the courtesy on when gone.

 

[Xanthus]

The two radios share an antenna.

Put the hand held on it's own antenna and remove the splitter.

 

[Meriachee]

There's yer problem Vern.

 

[gertonw]

I have a wired radio at the chart table and a second wired into cockpit console. These share an antenna. The handheld is my 3rd, not wired (emergency and dinghy use).

 

[SG]

Is the unit in the cockpit a unit that is connected to the main VHF at the nav station?

If not, I'm not sure how that would work? There are "splitters" that will allow someone to use the same VHF, AIS, and FM reception -- but I've not heard of one antenna handling TWO independent VHF's.

How long have you had this boat Gerton? What is its "legend" of prior ownership?

 

[gertonw]

Indeed I have an antenna splitter between the 2 radios and another with the AIS.
All was working fine until ...?
Then I started digging and have not yet found the issue, but now found an additional one with the fuse switches for the lights.

 

[jssailem]

All was working fine until ...?
Then I started digging and have not yet found the issue, but now found an additional one with the fuse switches for the lights.

Oh Boy another case of Problem Creep... Grab a hold of something @gertonw (like your pocket book) It is about to become a bumpy ride.
It starts out simply a little noise on the radio... Next thing you know GREMLINS RUNNING AMUCK.
Things stop working for no explainable reason...

 

[gertonw]

But, I’ll be back on the case this weekend or the next

 

[Tally Ho]

Yep, start off by turning everything off. And I mean everything. Won't be off long enough to spoil the frozen steaks.

Ok. I ask because I replaced all my cabin lights to LED last year. I don’t think I am getting interference, but my cabin lights generally aren’t on when I am using the VHF.

Greg

 

[TimFromLI]

I have the same problem , I turn off the fridge before I transmit. The boat is new to me and the fridge was not working until I replaced the control module.

 

[Tally Ho]

But

I have a wired radio at the chart table and a second wired into cockpit console. These share an antenna. The handheld is my 3rd, not wired (emergency and dinghy use).

I had something similar (splitter), and had issues. I replaced the VHF with a new Simrad RS35 base station at the nav station and HS35remote at the helm. Now, 2 I its share the single antenna connection, without a need for a splitter or other connections that mess up the antenna.

I really like this unit (and it has AIS to boot).

Greg

 

[jssailem]

Greg. It is not all LED’s that generate RF interference. The CG has printed a warning. Some of the power units for the LED’s create the problem. If you are not experiencing an issue you good. If it creeps up on you try turning the LED’s off. If it goes away you have found the issue.

I understand that your new unit does not have an external splitter. Is that the case? Then the manufacturer has placed the splitter inside the box. Because if AIS uses the same antenna it can not transmit at the same time the VHF radio is transmitting. The unit prioritizes the VHF radio signal, holding the AIS signal until the radio transmission is completed. Then the AIS sends it signal. Alternatively some AIS systems use a separate antenna.

 

[SG]

I understand that your new unit does not have an external splitter. Is that the case? Then the manufacturer has placed the splitter inside the box. Because if AIS uses the same antenna it can not transmit at the same time the VHF radio is transmitting.

JSSailem, I think the remote mic's really just use the master VHF -- there's only one transmitter and receiver. It's just a question of which mic is active. The remote mics can change channels and perform other functions.

 

[JamesG161]

I have the same set up with remote mic, courtesy lights, hand held, refrig freezer, etc.

I have gone away from the boat more than a 1000 yards with hand held to hear both transmit and receive.
All is clear, with all antennae, with or without shore power. I have done it with the genset running too.

No bad noise!

I have no AIS, yet installed.
Jim...

 

[jssailem]

I have the same mic Ram3 + from SH. It takes over the radio. The mic in the cabin shuts down when the cockpit mic is in use.

The AIS system was not defined. It maybe a receive only unit not a transponder.
Several manufacturers StandaryHorizon, Icom, etc. build AIS receivers into the VHF radio. They work well together. Do not need a splitter. The splitter issue is only about transmission. The listening is no issue.

 

[Maine Sail]

Don't forget that a lot of solar controllers and other PWM type regulators can be very noisy especially cheap ones... Also where the VHF is connected into the 12V system can make a difference...