vhf problems.

[tae4551]

i just installed a new navman 7200 vhf as the old one died. the wiring has not changed as i used the old looms. when transmitting i can be heard miles away, but i can only recieve from vessels with in 2 to 3 miles. on the repeaters it's a tad but but i am still not getting the range i should... the ariel contains a splitter and when the stereo is turned on certain channels become static and the squelsh has to be turned right down.. could the splitter be faulty and would this limit my recieve range.

cheers

[Mindi]

where does the other split go to..? presumably not the stereo..?

[tae4551]

yes to the stereo. it's been like that since i had the boat. never caused a problem with the old vhf

[RJ5023]

Splitters = bad news from my experience.

Can you try connecting the VHF directly to the aerial, bypassing the splitter for a test run?

willing to bet that is causing the problem.

Installed a $10 car aerial on my radio after ditching the splitter and all is good now. Could probably use the bow rail as an aerial for the radio if you've got a glass boat.

Cheers,

[John Buoy]

Get rid of the splitter and run the aerial directly to the radio.
splitters will only run one unit at full strength
and the other unit needs to switched off.
As for the stereo get yourself another aerial of
or even an am/fm dipole which is around 12 bucks and works
great if attached to a stainless bolt from your bowrail.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Waterproof-Di...d=p3286.c0.m14



Regards Frank

[tae4551]

alrighty, i have removed the splitter. can't tell you if it's any better until i head out this arvo as i could get coast guard not a problem before from where i live..
stereo still causing interference. but only when playing cd's, i ran a scan and it's mainly channels 11, 24 and 65 that can only a operate with a little or no squelch whilst cd is playing..

[hodges4]

Your stereo should not be interfering with the VHF at all. You say the interference can be eliminated by adjusting the squelch control which indicates it is being picked up by the aerial.

If it is only a problem on certain channels then it sounds like an RF interference, not electrical. Somehow the stereo sounds like it may have started leaking RF interference.

If removing the splitter hasn't fixed the problem, I'd start by checking all connections to the case of the stereo. eg -ve to chassis. There may be a high resistance connection due to corrosion build up over time. Also make sure all screws holding the case together are tight.

Something may have changed during the swap over of radios which may be a cable moved or re-routed when fitting the new vhf.

[tae4551]

i should add the stereo is brand new to. replaced the same time as the vhf. all connections are brand new except for the main wire leading off the battery. and the loom for the vhf as i left the old one there. i think i might have just rewire the whole thing and then start from there..

[hodges4]

I'd run separate cabling from the vhf to the battery.
Its standard practice to limit interference.

[tae4551]

ok ran a cable straight to the battery. rewired the whole boat.. eliminated everything except the stereo. still causing problems, but now only when playing a cd.most channels are fine.. 11 i can hardly use which is what i need to fix as that is what i operate on..range is still limited on recieve. 10 i was able to recieve from a boat 8 nm away, same boat on 11 nothing but static.

[hodges4]

OK. Next step is to positively identify source of interference. Is it electrical or RF. The easiest way is to connect the stereo to a separate battery, completely isolating it from the VHF. All you need is a spare 12 volt battery. Doesn't need to be big. If the interference problem disappears then it is electrical interference. You can try it at home.
After you've tried that, give me a PM with your phone number and I can give you a call.

John

[tae4551]

still no closer to solving the problem..
i have identified it as rf.. i have run seperate wires from the battery to the vhf. both the sounder and stereo are effecting it only on certain channels.. ihave replaced every wire in the boat. ran another to vhf and still got the same problem. not sure what else i can try