VHF radio testing

[blubeast]

This weekend while out of Newport, had several other captains report my radio transmissions were breaking up.

Is there some way to check a vhf radio's transmissions? It was receiving transmission loud and claer... and had no reports of trouble in Friday. :depressed:

Any suggestions?

[Bluto]

You can request a radio check on Ch-16 - Just be brief about it. Sometimes the Coast Guard will answer you directly on Ch-16, and other times they may ask you to change channels to give you the response. Always a good idea to check your radio before you hit the big water.

[StickFish]

how close were the other boats and what power setting were you using on the transmitter? Antanna make and model, radio make and model, proximity of other antennas on your boat (radar, CB, AM/FM, Cell.

There are so many causes to garbled transmisstions - I'd first have the radio checked on the Bench, mic gain to high will cause your signal to clip, VCO out of spec will make you PLL lock up on the wrong frequency, water in the mic element - loose mic cable/connector, power supplied to the radio - not enough power on transmit.

Before you run it to the shop check the coax connector at the back of the radio is it loose, if so tighten (hand tight) and recheck.

Next, check the voltage at the power connector with the engine running it should be the same as the voltge at the main battery - if there is a loss of voltage correct that by cleaning the connections and fuse holder.

Very high standing wave ratio can cause your transmitter to shut down to protect themselves - I can check that for you if you don't have a meter.

[blubeast]

Stickfish, thanks for the suggestions... it's a Sitex, new install three years ago, new Shakespeare antenna installed at that time. No other antenna on boat nearby. Radar dome is approx 3 ft away. Other boats reporting reception problems were a couple miles away.

Been used on the salt previously without any trouble which is why this was concerning.

[StickFish]

Not heard of that radio Mfg before - but that doesn't mean anything check the connector check the power and let me know if you want some help.

Do you know which model Shakespeare?

[blubeast]

SF, thanks for the offer...

called Rodgers Electronics, they check vhf radios for all functions at no charge... so ran out there. Radio checked out fine... and they gave me other suggestions as to possible causes since it's NOT the radio...

thanks again for the suggestions.