Icom VHF question

[BartW]

last weekend I discovered that my ICOM 411 is not working properly,
just doing a test while leaving the marina,
noticed that I could not hear the answer from the other boat,
while the other boat could hear me loud and clear.

when I lowered the squelch until I heard the noise, I could hear the message from the other boat, but the soundlevel was not much louder then the noise, so the message was difficult to understand even with very high volume;

the antenna connection seems OK
last year the unit was working fine,

am I missing something, or is this unit broken?

My boat is now on the trailer at home, no other VHF units nearby, so nothing to test with

 

[PaulGooch]

Would suggest you get the antenna checked with an SWR meter as a first move.

 

[Tidnock]

Would suggest you get the antenna checked with an SWR meter as a first move.

As a quick check, perhaps you could plug it in to another boat and see if it works on another boat, this should check if is the set or the setup

 

[timbartlett]

noticed that I could not hear the answer from the other boat,
while the other boat could hear me loud and clear.

Any particular reason why you assume it is your radio that is not working, rather than his?
Sounds more likely that the problem is his rather than yours.

 

[BartW]

Any particular reason why you assume it is your radio that is not working, rather than his?
Sounds more likely that the problem is his rather than yours.

I tried to call the harbour master and didn't get any response,
then I listened all channels, and couldn't hear any conversation,
some time later I tried again the harbour master without response,
so then I did the test with my friend on another boat....

 

[oldgit]

What channel were you calling/listening on ? a normal simplex channel ie. radio is both listening and receiving on same channel such as 16, or a duplex one ie. CH80 or 80A (Marina)where you will only hear one side of the conversation ?
It is possible there is nothing wrong with your radio and that the other guy could hear you due to R/F breaking through due to your signal being very close.

 

[BartW]

What channel were you calling/listening on ? a normal simplex channel ie. radio is both listening and receiving on same channel such as 16, or a duplex one ie. CH80 or 80A (Marina)where you will only hear one side of the conversation ?
It is possible there is nothing wrong with your radio and that the other guy could hear you due to R/F breaking through due to your signal being very close.

as usual,
have been triing on ch 77, 72, (ship ship conversations)
and ch 23, harbour master

thursday evening a Radio specialist will come along, he will bring his meters and test transmitter / receiver, and hopefully tell me what is wrong
thank you anyway for the advice

 

[AndieMac]

Making sure the coms. are 5 by 5 for the Adriatic crossing Bart ?

 

[BartW]

Making sure the coms. are 5 by 5 for the Adriatic crossing Bart ?

yes Callum,
got a quote on the Epirb today, will be ordered tomorrow together with a portable / backup VHF

In fact I still have a interesting story on my trailer service to be posted, (to you as a fellow trailer boater)
but need to find some time, between all the activity's , boating, diving, family, oh yes and a little bit of working

looking at your posts counter you have some more "forum" time available ?

 

[AndieMac]

yes Callum,
got a quote on the Epirb today, will be ordered tomorrow together with a portable / backup VHF

In fact I still have a interesting story on my trailer service to be posted, (to you as a fellow trailer boater)
but need to find some time, between all the activity's , boating, diving, family, oh yes and a little bit of working

looking at your posts counter you have some more "forum" time available ?

Yes Bart....I'm a true addict now (especially now its winter ), even thinking about rehab .

Besides its not quantity but quality, mine are mostly rubbish anyway, just been talking about motorcycles on a boat forum just now....;-)

Don't be shy with the trailer story........something to look forward to.

 

[NorthRising]

Bart,

Did you work out what the problem was? I've just had the same problem with my ICOM (same model), except even when I adjust the squelch I don't get reception. I've been told my transmissions though are loud and clear.

 

[PaulGooch]

Bart,

Did you work out what the problem was? I've just had the same problem with my ICOM (same model), except even when I adjust the squelch I don't get reception. I've been told my transmissions though are loud and clear.

I had the same problem with a couple of Standard Horizon sets and it turned out the sets were faulty.