Testing a VHF

Adrian

Adrian

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 Jun 2001
Messages
841
Location
Me Midlands, Boat Port Grimaud SOF
www.kydproducts.co.uk
I "think" I’ve got a problem with my VHF. '06 was my 1st season in the Solent so I’m unsure of the amount of Ch16 traffic i should be getting but throughout the season I’ve hardly heard a peep from it, even Bank holiday weekend was quiet, I cant even hear the Coastguard weather broadcast from my berth in Hamble point marina, now, I’m not sure if I’ve over estimated the amount of traffic or quality of reception I should be getting or if there is a problem. I’ve had a local engineer look at it, they say there’s nothing wrong with it, although all they did was put a radio check in to the coastguard. Is there any other way I can check that my set is receiving properly or am I worrying unnecessarily?
 
Wow....

Normally on a BH weekend in the Solent the thing will drive you mad with constant chatter....

CG transmissions should be coming through loud and clear to the Hamble....

Suggest you get a second opinion on both your set and your aerial....

if your set tests out as OK, then you need your aerial installation checking out..... usually with a SWR test... could easily be the cable, connectors at either end or the mast head aerial itself....
 
These folks are at suffolk yacht harbour, which I know is too far from you to be useful, but may know someone local to you www.rjmarine-electronics.com

They did a very thorough test on my VHF. Had a big test rig with dummy load, freq meter and so on. Injected signanls at various micro-volts and modulation %. Told me I was only putting 12 or 13 watts up the spout instead of 25. Radio seemed (seems) to work so I did nothing about it.
 
I'm further up the Hamble than you & could still get the regular CG weather broadcasts even with a set which I knew had transmission/reception problems, so I agree you probably have a fault somewhere. Mine turned out to be the connector at the base of the mast- resolved when fitting replaced- so you could check set and cable connections first. If that doesnt work but you can connect up another set to your rig or take your set to another aerial, that should clarify if problem is in the set or the line/aerial.

To get someone to look at it, you could try Ken Haddock at Hamble Yacht Care ( 02380 455705 mob 07836 798846 ) , who should be able to put you in touch with suitable local contact. He has been v helpful to me in past.
 
I think I have a similar problem. I know for a fact that my radio transmits and receives OK because I had to chat to the CG last year and had no problems doing so. I hear the occassional bit of chat on Ch16 but I wouldn't call it excessive ( i.e. All the time ), at most it is the odd radio check - maybe every half hour or so.

Are there any faults which could cause poor reception from anything other than CG transmitters ?
 
Can`t you try your radio on a mates boat using his proven ariel as this should prove it out one way or another and at no cost,
If it works look at your power supply, ariel, ariel leads and connectors.

Pete
 
You can try Hudson Marine based in Mercury or a guy called Peter Burton who is based on the opposite side of the river to you by the HM office in Warsash. He will likely be cheaper!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif He can be contacted HERE .

Just a point, have you got your squelch control set right? If it's wound right up it can seriously effect incoming traffic. Have your yourself done a quick radio check on Ch 67 or try just calling the Marina on Ch80.
 
In the solent you should be able to recieve loads of stuff on ch 16 and 06 on the weekends with just a short length of wire plugged into the centre connection of aerial socket. Don't transmit though.
It is worth a try because if you can then your problem lies with your aerial not with the set. If you can't then you can suspect the set and start a more in depth investigation or start paying professionals large sums of money.
 
Connect up your emergency vhf anntena to the radio and you should hear a lot more - indicating it is the coax/antenna that's wrong (and more than likely the connection between the coax and the antenna). What....you dont have one? Then go and borrow one to confirm it is not the set.

Alternatively borrow a handheld and see if you hear a lot more on it than the fixed set. At least it will tell you if you have a problem.

It's not difficult to track down a problem with coax / antennas if you are methodical

Dr Bob
 
Hello all. I am local to HP and maintain a number of yachts around europe.

The most common problem I have discovered is in fact in the hands of the user!

Many handsets automatically set themselves on High Power (25W) when turned on. If you do not manually turn the power down (1W) then you will be missing out on much of the local traffic. Sure you will get SCG over the way but not the yacht 20metres away trying to call you.....

Your kit may have been tested by a technician and he found it to be fine and it is.

Try it before you call someone out and I hope you find that it is all that is wrong.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hello all. I am local to HP and maintain a number of yachts around europe.

The most common problem I have discovered is in fact in the hands of the user!

Many handsets automatically set themselves on High Power (25W) when turned on. If you do not manually turn the power down (1W) then you will be missing out on much of the local traffic. Sure you will get SCG over the way but not the yacht 20metres away trying to call you.....

Your kit may have been tested by a technician and he found it to be fine and it is.

Try it before you call someone out and I hope you find that it is all that is wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]
Intreging Do tell more!! I'm having trouble with the concept
 
ross 1 Your talking bollox here. high and low power is only applicable to sending not receiving.
 
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Many handsets automatically set themselves on High Power (25W) when turned on. If you do not manually turn the power down (1W) then you will be missing out on much of the local traffic. Sure you will get SCG over the way but not the yacht 20metres away trying to call you.....
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You must be a smooth talker to convince folk of you expert knowledge.

The switch between high and low transmit power has absolutely no effect on receiver sensitivity. It just drops the power you send out.

You will hear the yacht next door regardless of being on high or low power providing there are no other problems with the equipment.

John
 
Well of course that is total bo11ox. But, it is a myth that I propose we all propogate. Imagine the improvement in noise levels if everyone kept their set on low power in the belief that it improved local reception.
 
Imagine the improvement in noise levels if everyone kept their set on low power in the belief that it improved local reception.

...well it most certainly would improve local reception - you wouldnt be hearing folk talking to each other across the harbour 30 miles up the coast!
 
Initial power for any channel is set by the authorities and programmed in by the manufacturer, if you flick through channels and watch the power indicator you will see it flip up and down. Of course you can over-ride this at will (most channels), but as conscientious users we all use low power first, don't we!!

Geoff

p.s., I have radio test gear, Bird power/SWR meter and a Marconi 2955a for testing radios/antennas on a commercial basis on the south central coast area.
 
Dunno, but it sometimes sounds like VHF = Mobile phone with PTT handset and no bills. Its just irritating here in Chi to hear people obviously talking across the Marina in Lymington and blasting everyone for 30 miles around with their chit-chat.

Chatting to the radio Regulatory bods at SIBS a few years back, they told me they once caught up with a lady in the local Tesco using her VHF portable at full power to check with hubby on board what supplies they needed. They might have got away with it if a) they had moved off Ch16, and b) hubby had turned the boat VHF to low power!
 
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