Slight double post but thoughts on best fixed vhf please

[stuartwineberg]

Put this on the PBO site and only got one reply so excuse the double post. I know it has been done to death before but I can't find the threads. My RD68 is dying - intermittently it Tx's (and I can see the corresponding Rx on my hand held) but the voice doesn't come through. There seem to be a lot of Google notes about the curly cable giving up the ghost - so anyone know where to get a replacement mike? Failing that recommendations for a decent fixed replacement - its on an external hanger so dimensions non critical - don't think I need AIS as my plotter is geriatric and the SH one with integrated AIS has such a tiny screen it seems useless. The cheapest one seems to be the SH GX1200E which looks like a good deal for around £100

 

[elton]

Are you sure the problem isn't the antenna or antenna cable?

 

[stuartwineberg]

Are you sure the problem isn't the antenna or antenna cable?

Not 100% but as I mentioned the unit Tx's and I can see on my hand help unit that a signal is being received - just no or very crackly voice

 

[elton]

Not 100% but as I mentioned the unit Tx's and I can see on my hand help unit that a signal is being received - just no or very crackly voice

I would thoroughly check the antenna, cable and connectors before buying a new radio. Radios tend to fail to transmit at all, rather than fading away.

 

[stuartwineberg]

I would thoroughly check the antenna, cable and connectors before buying a new radio. Radios tend to fail to transmit at all, rather than fading away.

Fair point - apart from visual inspection of the cable ends how would you do that - I realise it would be ideal to connect another radio to the aerial to see if it works but I don't have that facility.

 

[elton]

Fair point - apart from visual inspection of the cable ends how would you do that - I realise it would be ideal to connect another radio to the aerial to see if it works but I don't have that facility.

This is a decent guide http://www.hamuniverse.com/HS0ZHMrtcthEmCommsimplecoaxtesting.pdf

 

[stuartwineberg]

This is a decent guide http://www.hamuniverse.com/HS0ZHMrtcthEmCommsimplecoaxtesting.pdf

Thank you - the cable from the radio to the antenna appears to be captive in the antenna and no obvious way to disassemble. should the resistance here be high or low?