Ship to Shore

[Reel Deal]

I replaced my antenna 2 years ago and put a new radio in last season, but don't seem to get any range out of it. I'm pretty sure it's not the radio but I put on a basic antenna (about a $50) 8' mast. Do I need to buck up and buy a expensive mast or do you think I installed something wrong. I bet I only get maybe a 1/2 mile to a mile range on open water with it.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Ship to Shore

You need to drop by a radio shop, maybe even a CB shop and have them put a VSWR Meter on the antenna, that will tell you if the Antenna is any good still. only other way to tell is to go out and try it but the only way to tell for sure is to put a meter on it with your radio.

Your general location would help too

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Ship to Shore

A poor antenna connection is the probable culprit ... faulty PL259 soldering job ... poorly affixed crimp-on connector ... corroded connection ... whatever. 1/2 mile range is about normal for a VHF radio with no antenna ... don't ask me how I know. Antennas do go bad, but check the connection first.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Ship to Shore

My bet is also the antenna connection. But I would reread the book to make sure you have it set to 25 watts ( H) power. plus check the channel your testing on. some only transmit 1 watt. I know you know that but hate to have a service call for nothing.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Ship to Shore

I agree it is almost always the antenna, coax, or bad connections.
A CB VSWR meter will not work. You need to get one for the VHF Marine band or the 2 meter ham band to check it.
I have help fix many of these problems. Best to start with a SWR meter as that will tell you if the antenna or coax is the problem.

From experience of helping others I found the most common problem the pl259 connection to the coax. People either do not get it soldered or they use so much heat they melt the center insulator and the outer brade shorts to the center wire.

Other problems are where the coax goes thru the deck the outer coax gets cut and shorts out.

Another thing is at the base of the antenna when the antenna is laid down the bend is to short or tight and the wire breaks inside the coax.

Last Cheap antennas many times just use tuned coax for the radior inside the antenna. Many of these antenna are small in diameter and flex a lot and the radior or tuned coax breaks inside.

Best antennas use a mast that dose not flex very much. Inside they use a solid brass, copper or sliver radior that will last many years. For Antenna I like a Shakespeare?s 5225 or better especially for Offshore boats in the Ocean.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Ship to Shore

The advice above is excellent, but I have to bring up one thing that might be the problem.

Does your VHF radio have a high/low power switch or feature that's accessed through an on-screen menu? Are you sure you're not set on "low"?

A lot of radios on the market have this feature so you can talk to nearby boats using 1-5 watts of power rather than blasting your conversation to everyone in a 20 mile radius using the full 25 watts.

Just thought I'd bring it up. You never know.

Grouse

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Ship to Shore

On that note, I know most Modern Commercial radios now days will automatically shut down Transmit power once they see high reflected power from the Antenna, I wonder if Modern Marine Radios do the same?

 

[Eyeman]

Re: Ship to Shore

Boatist. I recently replaced an old Shakespeare antenna with an 8900. I?ve hooked it to a 1999 VHF radio. The connector that came with the antenna was new to me. You strip back the outer insulation (being extremely careful to not cut the braided aluminum), and then simply push the RG-8X cable onto a center pin, then crushed some flanges onto the exposed aluminum braiding and screw on a ring that was slid onto the coax before everything else. The pin is supposed to split the core wire braiding to make contact ? I had to push it on several times before getting it in the center of the wire. Seems hokie to me. No solder, no center of the wire all the way to the radio. What are your thoughts? I have no idea where I can go to check SWR or whatever meter to test output/reception. Thanks.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Ship to Shore

EyeMan It is always better to start your own thread.
RG-8x is good Coax but I never use a crimp type connector.
It is very inportant that the center electrode and the brad to do not short together. As far as testing it CB radio SWR Bridge will not work as the VHF Marine frequency is much higher. I would look in your phone Book for a HAM or Amateur Radio Store. Out here many of the places will check Your SWR for free if you make it real easy for them and they are not Busy with customers inside. Would be a good idea to call ahead. If it is bad and you need a new connector there are many types. I like the Gold plated screw together type. also they can be used over and over. Ask them what they would charge to install new connector and test.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Ship to Shore

Thats typically called a UHF connector as well eyeman or a PL259, your local HAM or Amateur radio shop will have literally boat loads of them they are the single most popular connector

 

[Eyeman]

Re: Ship to Shore

Thanks, I'll get the phone book out. Would a Radio Shack have the connector? Sorry about not starting a new thread, I saw this one was aging and I just didn't think. :redface:

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Ship to Shore

yes radio shack should have them

 

[Boatist]

Re: Ship to Shore

Yes Radio shack would have them. A PL259 needs a screw in adapter as it is designed for RG-8U Coax a much larger Coax .405 diameter.

If you can loacate a Ham or Amateur Raido outlet they will be much better. They will usually have a skilled Tech.
Today Most Radio Shack's just have Cell phone sales people and most would have no idea how to even put the connector on.

Marine stores will also have connectors and many will have the gold plated ones that hold up better in the Salt air.

http://www.iboats.com/Shakespeare-P...5679558--**********.386620737--view_id.185505