VHF Radio - poor reception

[Krankem]

I recently installed a Raymarine 53 VHF radio with 3' whip antenae. I've been on the water 3 trips since installing, and have noticed that I never pick up any weather reports. When I pick up radio traffic, I usually hear only one side of the conversation. Most of the time I have been about 6-8 miles off shore.

Does this sound normal for a 3' antenae? Is that about as good as a 3' antenae will be? Could I have installed the antenae incorrectly? I made sure the antenae was mounted more than 2' from the radio unit as the instructions said. The antenae cable runs to the dashboard via the same cable housing as my power supply cables. Would that be causing problems? I also shortened the cable a bit before connecting to the radio (instructions didn't say not to). Would that cause problems?

As things are now, I'm not too confident I'd be able to get in touch with the coast guard via radio if I ever needed to. My boat is only a 15 footer, so a large mast antanae would be pretty ridiculous and in the way, so I was hoping to get by with the 3' one.

-Krankem

[Shoeman]

Does the reception change when your graph is turned off?

You are limiting your range with a 3' whip. The VHF signal is "line of sight".
Higher = Better range

[Krankem]

Thanks Shoeman,
I meant to try that this last trip, but forgot. My graph and GPS (12V cig lighter) are both drawing power through the same cable housing that I fed the radio antenae through. If I turn them off, how will I know if the reception got better (since I don't know how far away the people are that I hear talking)?

Line of sight might be my issue, combination of low boat + 3' antenae makes for a pretty low antenae. Should still be as good as a handheld though, right? Anyone get decent reception off a handheld radio (I've never used one, so don't know if that would be any better than what I am getting right now)?

-Krankem

[Michigan Hunter]

One mistake you did was to shorten the antenna cable. Most are cut to a length that give proper SWR (standing wave ratio). However it doesn't make a real bad reception more a bad distance of transmission. I would check the cable fitting to see that you didn't short the shield to the center conductor or that you have the shield and center conductor soldered for proper connection. Also I would l look into a longer antenna. Ya, a higher antenna will work but I can pick up Detroit Coast Guard from the Saginaw river and I have a 6 foot one. Of course that doesn't mean I can talk to them. Also running 25 watts will get you out well and 5 watts will only get you a few miles.

[kroppe]

Krankem,

Is your antenna cable coiled or cross over itself? This will cause TX and RX problems. I have been advised to keep the cable in multiples of 3' from the base to maintain SWR, which was mentioned above. Also a big factor is antenna length as people suggested.

With an 8' antenna, from *inside* of my garage I can get WX reports from Cleveland, OH, Sarnia ON and White Lake MI.

Another thing to try is asking for radio check on 68/69 and see what you get.

[Krankem]

SYMPTOM: Poor Radio Reception

POSSIBLE CAUSE: You installed it yourself, and didn't know what the hell you were doing!

Sounds like I definitely have a problem. I don't even pick up the Detroit coast guard from Detroit! LOL! Heck, I wouldn't know what a weather report sounded like if I heard one - and I don't pick up a thing in my garage. Kroppe, what weather channel should I tune to for the best chance of picking up something from Ann Arbor? Yeah, I did coil it over itself once or twice, since it was too long. If I cut more so that it is in multiples of 3' and I don't have to coil it, will that be the solution? Instructions didn't say anything about soldering. Maybe I should just take it to a shop to have the antenae done correctly....

-Krankem

[kroppe]

Krankem,

WX1 is good but you should be able to get a couple other WX channels also. Purchase Radio is either on Hill St. or Hoover near the UM Natatorium. They are Old Tyme radio buffs there and can help you out if you ask.

Don't forget to make sure you are TXing at 25watts and ask for a radio check on 68 or 69. If you let me know in advance we can arrange a time and I'll switch my radio on and see if I can hear you.

[Krankem]

Thanks for the info Kroppe - I appreciate you helping with a radio check. That is a good idea. If you don't mind, the next time I see you on the campfire, I'll log in and see if you feel like running out to listen to your radio real quick. I'll stop by Purchase radio one of these days too.
Later,
Krankem

[Michigan Hunter]

Hey is 68 and 69 the channels that most of the fishermen in the Saginaw Bay use? What do the Charter boat operators use? I generally am in the Saginaw River or only out 1-2 miles (bass boat) but like to listen to the boats in the bay too.

[SnowSledHead]

What brand of antenna is it? Is it bottom loaded (does the bottom part of it look like a tread bobbin?)
Is the antenna mounted to any metal like a side rail, or is it bolted to fiberglass? You should be able to talk to somebody atleast 10 to 15 miles away with what you have now if the antenna is hooked up and mounted right.
Guys talk on 67,68,69,70,71,72 and 05,06,10 on Saginaw Bay. best thing is to set your radio to scan them all if possible.
A handheld will only go a mile or two. 5 miles max.

[Krankem]

Thanks for the help guys - Here is the update/solution to my problem:
I finally took the boat in to have it checked out, and everything was hooked up correctly. Turns out I got a bad antenna from the factory - exchanged it for a new one, and everything works great now - crystal clear reception!
-Krankem

[tubejig]

I too have a problem with a marine radio. My problem is this, I can receive really well from a long distance but I am unable to transmit more than a mile. This has never been a problem until this year. Could it be the mic?


tubejig

[SnowSledHead]

The mic would either squeel or there wouldn't be any modulation. The best thing to do is hook the radio up to a power meter and see what your tx out-put is. It may not be putting out the full 25 watts, or a high swr.