VHF Issues

[charlieannear]

Having got myself a handheld VHF, I've got into the habit of having it and the fixed set on at the same time. I've noticed though, that the handheld seems to recieve more than the fixed set, and I struggle to raise other club boats on the fixed set too.

 

I'm thinking that I may have an antenna issue. I have one of the thinner whip antennae, rather than the beefier GRP type. But I guess it could be an problem with a connection, or even the set itself (as I unwittingly used it with a broken antenna once, and I understand that can cause problems with the set...)

 

Are any of you guys able to offer any advice, please?

[Rob]

 

Mate, using it with no or faulty aerial can cook it, I found this out from the manual after trying just that! Mins you, my one survived!

 

Maybe someone has a spare aerial you can try, or someone with another Garmin and you can plug your radio in to their boat, just to prove a point?

 

I am sure I have been on another club boat with an annoying ringing Garmin unit, other than Star Turn.

 

Rob

[charlieannear]

Yeah, the broken antenna was a couple of years ago and I didn't notice that the antenna was broken when I used the set. I know that using a set with a broken antenna can cause issues with the set. I thought I'd gotten away with it, as the set does transmit and recieve (just not very well) but now with the handheld on board I can see that something's not quite right, and this might be the issue.

 

Or it might be something else!

 

I might just get a bigger antenna and see if that does the trick.

I have read that the gain on the whip antenna is only 3db but the GRP one is 6db- so it might be that what I have isn't a good match for the set (trying to remember my antenna matching theory from sigs training...).

I think one of our members may have some test kit?

 

Mine's an annoying Navman 7200 rather than an annoying Garmin.

Edited November 18, 2011 by charlieannear

[Rob]

 

Ah yes, the ringing Navman!! Sorry.

[Brian]

Charlie

I've got a VHF VSWR/Power meter. That would tell you if it's an antenna fault.

[codpiece]

Brian my friend, are there no toys you dont have,?? Derek,

[Paul J]

While we are VHF issues

 

I have a problem with my Icom m302 fixed vhf radio and want to know if it

[Coddy]

While we are VHF issues

 

I have a problem with my Icom m32  fixed vhf radio and want to know if it

Edited November 18, 2011 by Coddy

[Paul D]

Charlie,

The gain on the antenna will be related to,the length of the antenna. Using the set with a shorted / broken antenna can destroy the output stage, however, it won't affect the reception. Have you tried reterminating the connector ?

 

[Coddy]

Just a thought, I passed a shop called (I think) Shortwave in Christchurch today who advertise they repair radio's including marine! They are just over the railway bridge on Fairmile Road.

 

Might be worth a chat with them.

 

Dave

[charlieannear]

Charlie,

The gain on the antenna will be related to,the length of the antenna. Using the set with a shorted / broken antenna can destroy the output stage, however, it won't affect the reception. Have you tried reterminating the connector ?

Hi Paul, I replaced the antenna a couple of years ago. Both reception and transmission work but are are less than I'd expect. If there is damage from using with a damaged antenna, it's damage from aaaaages ago.

[charlieannear]

Just a thought, I passed a shop called (I think) Shortwave in Christchurch today who advertise they repair radio's including marine! They are just over the railway bridge on Fairmile Road.

 

Might be worth a chat with them.

 

Dave

Thanks Dave, good to know.

[charlieannear]

Charlie

I've got a VHF VSWR/Power meter. That would tell you if it's an antenna fault.

Hi Brian- could we organise a borrow/visit sometime, please?

[Brian]

Yes, no problem, I'll send a pm with my phone number.