VHF won't transmit

[SM1]

So I did a search of all forums and did not really find an answer for this problem.

I just installed a VHF marine radio with an 8' antenna. After it was all hooked up, turned it on-powered up fine. I could receive weather channels- fine. To further test things my uncle went across the yard to his boat (with working radio) so we could try to talk back/forth—Problem-I could hear him just fine but when I tried to transmit back he got nothing. When I key the mic, I get just get a little buzz noise. We were on chan 69 so the channel is not the problem and we were on low power.

I know it takes more power to transmit than to receive so there is a possibility my battery was too low but I don’t think this was the case. My battery will be charged by the end of the day so I can test that later today.

Other than possibly the battery, I’m not really sure what the problem is. I welcome any suggestions. Hopefully someone can help me get this fixed!

[Bandit]

Try pushing the weather button, on my radio the weather channels and the regular channels are switched back and forth with a push button and I know it will not communicate with another radio if I have the weather on.

[SM1]

Right, I switched out of the weather channels to channel 69 to test conversation and that is where the other radio could not hear me when I tried to transmit.

[PerchJerker]

Did you key your mic without having an antenna hooked up, that is a good way to blow the transmitter.

You can test the transmit power and the signal-to-wave ratio from the antenna to make sure your radio transmits at full power and to make sure his radio receives correctly. I have a tester that does this, I would think that stores like boat dealers or marine stores might be able to test this for you too.

If you can't get a tester I'd try to get a 3rd radio involved, if the 3rd radio and your uncle's radio work together then you can probably narrow it down to the transmitter in your radio.

[SM1]

Im thinking my uncle's radio works fine because we where using it a few weeks ago talking with a third boat. Im sure we didnt key the mic without the antenna on because I didnt connect the mic cable until after the antenna was intalled.

I will see if I can swing into a dealer to see if they have a transmit tester.

Is there an outside chance my battery power was running a little low? I guess it couldnt be that easy:-(

[ccarlson]

I had the same thing happen one time. The solution was to re-do the connection where the antenna wire meets the radio. If you have any stray little wires making the wrong contact, it will not transmit but will receive a signal. Mine did the same thing you are describing. When I called Ray marine the tech told me to unscrew the connection so the outer portion did not touch but the center wire made contact. Test a signal and it worked.(Be sure to keep contact with the center wire while keying the mic) I then tore the connection apart and found a stray wire that was probably causing a short. Worked fine after that. I soldered it up clean and never had a problem again.

The tech told me that many people send their radios in thinking they are fried but all they need is this solution.

You may want to call the company and talk to a tech to make sure.

ccarlson

[PerchJerker]

ccarlson makes a good point. a good rule of thumb for vhfs is if they're not working right, redo your antenna connection (new connector if you solder it) and try it again.

[Surface Tension]

I'd say try a new connector or redo the one you have.

Is this a new radio and antenna?

To answer your other question, yes a low battery will give you the same symptom.

[SM1]

I think ccarlson, you might be on to something. I went to Ray's marine and they told me the same thing. Redo the connector. If I understood them right, the center wire should stick out a little. We soldered it flush with the end of the connector and maybe that is why it is not working?

When I was talking with the dealer about my antenna (new, $40 from gander) I decided to go with a better one. Sounds like there is a noticeable difference between a $40 and a $130 antenna as far as range goes. Might as well not skimp on the antenna. I know they can get even better ones but I think the $130 model should work for everything I need.

We will switch out the antenna's and redo the connector, hopefully that will solve everything.

[SM1]

Problem solved..

It turns out the boat I was trying to talk to has a bad antena and mine works just fine. I tested my radio with a third boat and conversation was clear as can be.

Here after re-soldering the connector a couple times and a bunch of head scratching my radio was probably working just fine all along.

Take home message- be certain the other boats equipment is working before you tear down and redo the new stuff.

SM1

[sparkyaber]

A question that is partially related to this topic- Does local law enforcement montitor any stations on the vhf band? I installed a radio also, and can hear the weather stations perfectly, but really don't have another way to test to make sure everything is working. I would have thought the the local fuzz whould monitor channel nine or something?

Thanks