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19 August 2020, 17:35
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#1
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Thame
Boat name: Free-Flow
Make: Shearwater 6.8
Length: 6m +
Engine: Suzuki 175
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 318
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Low senstivity VHF
I have noticed recently that it takes a very strong signal for my VHF to pick up any transmission, even with the squelch turned right down. When I have been near other ribs, they seem to pick up much more than me. I know it transmits, although I seem to need high power before anyone hears me.
I suspect an antenna fault, but is there any way to check this? the VHF is an Icom IC-M421 and the antenna is mounted on the A frame on my RC585. It looks like a nightmare to run a new cable for a new antenna as it goes through the A frame, and then into the trunking beneath the deck.
Grateful for any advice.
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19 August 2020, 17:44
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#2
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: South Yorks
Boat name: Black Pig
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: DF140a
MMSI: 235111389
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,890
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucksribster
I have noticed recently that it takes a very strong signal for my VHF to pick up any transmission, even with the squelch turned right down. When I have been near other ribs, they seem to pick up much more than me. I know it transmits, although I seem to need high power before anyone hears me.
I suspect an antenna fault, but is there any way to check this? the VHF is an Icom IC-M421 and the antenna is mounted on the A frame on my RC585. It looks like a nightmare to run a new cable for a new antenna as it goes through the A frame, and then into the trunking beneath the deck.
Grateful for any advice.
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Is it the Vtronix Hawk antenna, the one that looks like it's been made from a coat hanger? If so, they are notoriously un-reliable. You need to test the coax for continuity & insulation. It'll be a bad connection somewhere. Do you have similar problems when transmitting? weak/broken?
__________________
Rule#2: Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level & then beat you with experience.
Rule#3: Tha' can't educate pork.
Rule#4: Don't feed the troll
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27 August 2020, 14:41
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#3
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Thame
Boat name: Free-Flow
Make: Shearwater 6.8
Length: 6m +
Engine: Suzuki 175
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 318
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I think I found the problem. Took the PL 259 plug that goes into the radio to bits, and guess what - no solder! the centre pin should be full of solder, but there was just the bare wire going down. Now I just need to take the boat to somewhere where I can plug in a soldering iron.....
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27 August 2020, 15:00
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#4
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: teesside
Boat name: magic
Make: humber 5.5
Length: 5m +
Engine: mariner 115
MMSI: 232012453
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,502
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gas soldering irons are totally portable
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27 August 2020, 17:44
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#5
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: South Yorks
Boat name: Black Pig
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: DF140a
MMSI: 235111389
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,890
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucksribster
I think I found the problem. Took the PL 259 plug that goes into the radio to bits, and guess what - no solder! the centre pin should be full of solder, but there was just the bare wire going down. Now I just need to take the boat to somewhere where I can plug in a soldering iron.....
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“Some” pl259 plugs are solderless. I’m not a fan, but they are out there.
__________________
Rule#2: Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level & then beat you with experience.
Rule#3: Tha' can't educate pork.
Rule#4: Don't feed the troll
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28 August 2020, 23:14
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#6
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: Thame
Boat name: Free-Flow
Make: Shearwater 6.8
Length: 6m +
Engine: Suzuki 175
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 318
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pikey Dave
“Some” pl259 plugs are solderless. I’m not a fan, but they are out there.
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Thanks PD, in fact I have got one as a stop gap, and will solder a proper one when I bring it to the house to winterise the engine at the end of the season.
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29 August 2020, 09:09
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#7
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Member
Country: UK - England
Town: South Yorks
Boat name: Black Pig
Make: Ribcraft
Length: 5m +
Engine: DF140a
MMSI: 235111389
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,890
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bucksribster
Thanks PD, in fact I have got one as a stop gap, and will solder a proper one when I bring it to the house to winterise the engine at the end of the season.
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These are worth their weight in gold. Solder/heatshrink/seal ropes. I wouldn’t be without mine & use it much more than the electrics one.
IRODA SolderPro 120K 30-125W Gas Soldering Iron Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008KKZ0..._bSHsFbDDB4AKD
__________________
Rule#2: Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level & then beat you with experience.
Rule#3: Tha' can't educate pork.
Rule#4: Don't feed the troll
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29 August 2020, 21:34
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#8
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Member
Country: UK - Wales
Town: Cardiff
Length: no boat
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pikey Dave
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Had one for years there is a £3-40 version
https://cpc.farnell.com/c/tools-main...oldering-irons
Think the pro 70 is latest version of mine
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