Dave wrote:
My VHF began displaying some peculiar behavior at the end of the season.
When it's turned on, it seems to work for about a second, and then goes
silent. Don't know whether the problem is in the radio, or someplace in the
electric or antenna connections. I'm reluctant to buy a new radio if that
won't solve the problem. The easy way to tell would, of course, be to plug
it into an existing setup, but I don't have anyone around to do that, and
can't find any vhf repair places locally. Anyone had similar experience?

Dave
You should have an emergency VHF antenna anyway so hook it up to that
(Its always nice to know you have the right connectors) and tie the
emergency antenna as high as you can easily fix it and powered using a
temporary power lead (mains flex would be suitable wire) fused at 10
amps using an inline fuseholder within 6" of the +ve battery clip and
fitted with two clips of the type used on cheap battery chargers. At
the radio end, fit a screw terminal block so you can easily hook it up
to the existing connector. Please mark the positive and negative wires
clearly or goodbye radio. I suggest you test it using your car battery
to eliminate all possible causes except the radio. *DONT* press the
transmit button if you are not afloat, as you dont want the coasties
really mad at you :-) Just listen to a popular channel you know you used
to get. When you've finished testing it, stow the emergency antenna and
the power lead you made up on board, they could save your life.

If you do find its faulty, seek professional advice. If it works Ok,
hook it back to the boat power and try again still on the emergency
antennae. Chances are, if the fault isnt in the radio itself and it
fades on RX, you've got bad power connections to it. Finally, if that
works OK hook the antennae back up and try again. If all is well,
suspect slightly corroded contacts so unplug everything again, spray all
the plugs with contact cleaner and plug them back in.

It could also be the mike. A faulty TX switch *might* cause these
symptoms. After its faded out, check the display carefully to see if
the TX indicator is on. If it is, unplug the mike and see if it goes
out. It shouldnt be on at all if you aren't pressing the switch.

--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
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'Stingo' Albacore #1554 - 15' Uffa Fox designed, All varnished hot
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