Check your ground wire from the antenna to make sure it is properly grounded with no corrosion. Also check the plug on the back for the same culprit. Corrosion=impedence=no signal.

 

"Sometimes" is absolutely right on with his advise.

It is a bit more common to receive and not transmit given power requiremnets.
But yours sounds like connection failure due to :

Corroded connection
Ground fault
Internal loss of integrity along the course of the coaxial cable

One can measure the effectiveness of the radio with a simple instrument
but it is easier for a pro to do it with theirs than have one of your own.

 

Before you start tearing things apart, look for the most obvious.

Are you in USA, CAN, or INT frequency band?

Make sure it says USA. USA channels are duplex (send and rcv on same channel)

Others are simplex, xmt and rcv are on different channels.

 

Thanks so much guys for taking the time to answer. I've checked the antenna cable (i don't see a 'ground wire', just the cable connecting directly to the radio) and I've ensured that it is in USA mode, not CAN or INT.
One question... If my antenna has failed, would the radio still be able to pick up a transmission from a handheld vhf from literally 10 feet away? It doesn't. I *can* hear it if I turn down the squelch and listen through the static, it is very faint.
Any advice would be appreciated before I pull the trigger on a new radio and antenna...
Thanks

 

Simple answer does your engine run without gas? I really believe it is in your antenna connection. Possibly the connector to the radio (might have corrosion in there) That is also a good source for grounding problems. I have actually had problems with something as simple as a insulator on the connector plug. Try and find a friend who has experience with CB or marine radios to take a look at it. Good luck.

 

Set the radio to the local weather channel. It's channel 1 around Portland. Disconnect the antenna at the radio. Hold the tip of a screwdriver against the center of the antenna connector on the radio. You should hear the weather. If you don't hear the weather, static or any noise then you most likely have a bad speaker. Connect an external speaker to the blue and brown wires on the accessory cable. If you get noise then you know the problem. If you are around the Portland area you can bring it in to Rodgers Marine for a free bench check.

 

Hi Grant,

Sorry for digging up the past. I have the same problem on my UM525 (xmits ok, can only receive while squelch is 'on' thro the static, squelch off no reception. I have had the unit in its box for the past three years trying to find an answer, no helpful support from Uniden Support Line.

Thanks for any advice you can give me .... don't want to put it in the recycle bin.

Regards .... Brian
Roscommon, Ireland
On the Banks of the River Shannon

 

Marine VHF antennas don't need a ground plane so there shouldn't be a ground wire to the antenna.

If it transmits the antenna is working - how well the antenna is working would be a question that should be answered at some point with an antenna analyzer or SWR meter in the VHF frequency range.

Since you've already checked the USA mode, also check you squelch control, is it full on? Turn it down till you hear static, than increase it a little till the static goes away.

The screw driver trick is a good way to see if the receiver is working at all as well as trying an external speaker. If neither than there is something wrong inside the box and it will need to be sent for service.

If you are local to Tigard, I'd be happy to test your antenna for you.

 

Is this a brand new radio or a used one?

If it's brand new out of the box take it back, if it's older, it's a bad radio if it doesn't recieve a hand held transmission feet away. This seems like a lot of drama.