Sailor VHF Help please!

[castaway]

My old green Sailor VHF which has performed without fault for years has gone on strike.

Part of the problem is that its quite "built in" so when I set to work on it I would like to have ideas as to what may have gone wrong and what to look for.

a) Yesterday I switched on as I sailed past Cowes, all I could hear was a taxi company chatting and this was regardless of channel selected. No usual marine traffic on any channel

b) Fiddled with squelch and this sounded 'normal'

c) Hand set made all usual clicking noises

d) When dual watch switched on there was a faint pulsing bleep that Ive never noticed before put that could be because i just have never listened for it. (it was very faint)

e) Finally (swallowed pride) and called for a Radiocheck and recieved no reponse.

Is there a way of checking if the aerial is damaged? Can I check it with a circuit tester.

Finally if it comes to it, is there anyone in the Solent area that would work on one of these old sets?... I would rather spend a bit of cash on this, than replace it with a new unit.

Any suggestions most welcome!

Thanks Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>

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[Oldhand]

It sound very much like an antenna or feed cable problem and I suspect that great piece of kit (I presume it is the big green box) is probably still fine.

I would guess but forgive me if I am wrong, that your Halberdier's installation has been there a long time. I think you are best to get a professional to check the antenna and replace it and the feed cable if that is proved to be the problem. I just hope you haven't damaged the transmitter if your radio check transmissions were into a duff antenna system.

However, you might also wish to consider if its time for major surgery and change to a DSC VHF transceiver. I would recommend it although many forumites don't seem to get on with DSC.

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[Stork_III]

I have a Sailor radio, RT2048, great bit of kit, well worth getting repaired, if necessary, a new one of same quality will cost >£1000.

Try their UK agent, always been very helpful for me.

Ship's Electronic Sevices (in Rochester, Kent) telephone 01634 295536. They can probably put you in touch with local firm who know Sailor radios.

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[castaway]

Is it possible to damage to transmitter by Tx with the antenna disconected?

If I put an AVO meter on the antenna should it make a circuit?

Many thks for yr assistance.

Nick

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[boatless]

You shouldn't tx with disconnected antenna. Can you try an 'emergency' aerial?

I have an RT144 in my garage if you need a replacement.

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[oldharry]

Dont transmit with no aerial - if its not damaged now, it will be. The transmitter needs the aerial to complete the circuit and load it properly. Same goes for putting a meter across it to 'see what happens'.

The easiest way to check the aerial is substitution - get one of those emergency aerials, which will load the Tx circuits properly while you ask Cg or a neighbour for a Radio check.

"If it aint broke now - get a bigger hammer!"

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[castaway]

Many tks for the replies on this one...I want to be back in contact for the Suttlebutt Xchannel cruise, or I would prob leave it until the winter.

I suspect it may well be the aerial... Any ideas on where i could pick up an "emergency" one. Sounds like a good idea to have one on a yacht where mast aerial is likely to be the 1st thing to go in a crisis.

All best ..Nick

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[oldharry]

Marine Super Store, Port Solent do the XM Emergency antenna for around £35. I am sure that Aladdins Cave have something similar, as will any chandlery doing electronics.


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