Radio install

[daymer]

Hi - just installed my New DCS Raymarine radio which replaces a relic on my boat which I got last summer. It all powers etc.. But unsure how to test to insure the antenna is properly connected. I've listened in but am not hearing anything, could be just quiet!!!! Reluctant to test transmit incase I can't hear for whatever reason. (don't want to wind up the local community) Is there any way of establishing that it is all correct short of tramsmitting- the last radio worked of the current antenna

Are the connectors for VHF antenna's all identical? I've just used the old connector. The thread seems to fit etc..

Any suggestions?

 

[ShipsWoofy]

The socket on the ships VHF installation should be identical, it would be very odd to have a different plug. A different plug in a VHF installation would not even go near to fitting so you can be assured that your aerial is connected satisfactorily.

If you hear nothing, you need to assume that something is awry with the set if the old set worked ok. Do you get noise when you wind the squelch?

Can you test with your hand held?

 

[daymer]

Yep I get Squelch .

Unfortunately Budget has'nt got as far as Handheld yet.. When you say test with hand held do you mean connected to antenna (if possible) or just activity

 

[ShipsWoofy]

no, I meant stand on the pontoon, wall, bow even and transmit on ch8 or so and see if it is picking up close by. If it was I would suspect an antenna connection, maybe you disturbed and damaged the cable into the back of the plug during fitting.

Your radio will receive with a coat hanger shoved into the back (do not TX like this though!).

Have you tried refitting the old radio, does it work still?

 

[daymer]

oops it's always the simple approach thats best - Thanks

I was thinking of taking the old radio back down and trying that.

many thanks for the ideas - my head was log jammed.

Got a similar issue with the GPS i've just put back in, Worked when I took it out. Now it just powers up. But can't find any sat's. Seems to be an ariel problem Philips MK8 - any simple ideas for that - Cheers

 

[alex_rogers]

Are you sure you haven't plugged the GPS antenna into the VHF and the VHF antenna into the GPS ;-) ?

 

[philip_stevens]

I've got a Mk6 and a Mk8. Both have different connections. The Mk8 has a custom connection, and the Mk6 is hard wired.

If the Mk8 has a duff aerial connection, it will tell on the display when powered up. Same with the Mk6. Maybe, after a long winter shutdown, it needs time to import the satellite almanac again. Both my Mk6 and Mk8 took quite a time before they showed a position after reloading the almanac.

If you are getting squelch on your VHF, you should be able to receive. I say, should be able. As has been said, you should be able to receive with a coathanger. Even a break in the centre core of your coax will allow you to receive something.

Again, stating ShipsWoofy post, don't try transmitting with a coathanger, or a break in the coax.

 

[wooslehunter]

Lots of good advice above but please update you profile then we know where you are. You say the radio seems dead on receive. If we know where you are we may be able to suggest a very active channel locally to listen to. eg. QHM Portsmouth on CH11 if your down this way. You won't have to wait very long to get a transmission on this one. Either that or wait for a weather broadcast from coastie.

 

[stevebrassett]

I recently fitted a radio to my boat on the East Coast, and I found that you
could easily go an hour before hearing a transmission, especially during the week.

 

[Gordonmc]

It might be worth taking a look at the state of the co-ax aerial cable by unscrewing the body of the terminal which goes into the radio. My fixed VHF had been quiet for a while but the handheld was full of chatter.
I found corrosion not just at then end of the cable, but the entire length. I couldn't get the centre core to take a tinning.
The cable is only two seasons old.

 

[daymer]

Folks many thanks Some great suggestions - This is a great environment to seek advice.

D

 

[daymer]

Folks many thanks alot of good advice and suggestions. Details updated I'm on the West Coast Scotland