Silva S12 handheld VHF problems

[MarcJ]

Don't know if anyone could help with this. Recently it became apparent that my trusty vhf wasn't working... it's one of these:
http://www.nexusmarine.se/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/s12_eng.pdf
I've since bought a new one which is great, but can't bring myself to chuck the other in the bin!
It holds a charge fine, the TX light comes on when I press the ppt button. It scans etc in fact to all intents and purposes it looks and sounds like it works until you try and receive or transmit! The rubber sheath on the aerial has come off, so at the moment you can see the coiled spring of the antenna, which should really effect the operation. I've opened it up and there's no corrosion. I was thinking of getting a new antenna - but haven't managed to find one on the internet.
Any other ideas on what to do? I'm testing it with the new hand held at the moment at home, inland.
Many thanks in advance!

 

[Bilgediver]

Don't know if anyone could help with this. Recently it became apparent that my trusty vhf wasn't working... it's one of these:
http://www.nexusmarine.se/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/s12_eng.pdf
I've since bought a new one which is great, but can't bring myself to chuck the other in the bin!
It holds a charge fine, the TX light comes on when I press the ppt button. It scans etc in fact to all intents and purposes it looks and sounds like it works until you try and receive or transmit! The rubber sheath on the aerial has come off, so at the moment you can see the coiled spring of the antenna, which should really effect the operation. I've opened it up and there's no corrosion. I was thinking of getting a new antenna - but haven't managed to find one on the internet.
Any other ideas on what to do? I'm testing it with the new hand held at the moment at home, inland.
Many thanks in advance!

Did you telephone Silva????

Did you try to operate the two radios in close proximity on the same channel and get no result.? If so then it might rule out an antenna problem.

 

[MarcJ]

Thanks - no I haven't phoned Silva - but I will do!
If you hold the radios next to each other, the static noise disappears when I press the tx button - but that's about it!

 

[Bilgediver]

Thanks - no I haven't phoned Silva - but I will do!
If you hold the radios next to each other, the static noise disappears when I press the tx button - but that's about it!

Did you try transmitting with the good radio....IE tap it and see if the bad radio hears the tapping?????
Then repeat tapping the duff radio whilst transmitting and see if the good one hears it.

It is no good just pressing the tit....You need to make a noise!! The fact the noise stopped is a good sign as it suggests a carrier wave was being transmitted so it might only be a mike problem. The tapping will confirm.

Put radios on low power.

 

[MarcJ]

Yes been trying talking and tapping into it! The good radio picks up the pressing of the tx button on the bad radio - no taps or noise coming through though. Interesting it doesn't work vice versa.....

 

[Bilgediver]

Tell this to Silva and they may offer to help.

 

[MarcJ]

Hmm Silva don't make radio's anymore - the S12 was discontinued in 2006, so no help there!

 

[Bilgediver]

Oh well....Plan B.

If I had it I would try and open it up and see if there was a wire disconnected belonging to the speaker or anything else..

 

[MarcJ]

Yes that's the next step! Although the speaker seems to be working, dunno about the mike though, all looked ok but perhaps I need a closer look. I've found that the external aerial on the new radio fits the old one, so taking both to the boat this weekend. I can try the new aerial on the old radio with the fixed VHF on the boat - try that before digging into the innards!