VHF Help!!!

[golfpercy5]

I bought a uniden dsc vhf radio and am having some major problems. I installed it like the manual said, and I can't pick up anything on it. I can't even get an noaa weather forecast. I returned it and got a brand new one and still i get nothing. Any ideas. I have an 8 ft shakespeare antenna hooked up to it and it doesn't seem to make a difference. If you have any ideas please help. Thanks,

Paul :)

[ESOX]

Sounds like an antenna problem to me. Check the lead from the antenna and make sure it isn't cut of chaffed.

[golfpercy5]

I was thinking the same thing, but shouldn't it be able to pick up at least one weather station regardless of the antenna? Thanks for the quick reply!!!

Paul

[ESOX]

It might be possible to pick one up with a bad antenna, but not too likely if you arent real close to the transmission tower. BTW Do not try to transmit until you know you have a good antenna, you will blow the output transformer on the radio.

[PITBULL]

Probably a antenna. Is there some one you know near by that you can hook up thier antenna and see if that works? Also see that you have a good connection for your power supply, Mine was working poorly and then I noticed that when I tried to transmit all the lights in the boat went dim. I had a bad connection (it was corroded in the fuse holder) at the main fuse off the battery.

[Jason Adam]

Run a direct wire from POS and Negative posts of the battery to the unit and see if it resolves your issue.(better even would be to hook it to a clean charged battery with no charging system or anything else hooked up) . If it solves your problem, your common ground or power source or charging system is causing interference. Make sure you don't leave it setup un-fused. If this does not solve the problem, probably an antenna issue

[Gone Fishing]

Could it be the settings on the radio? Maybe it's set on the wrong band. Seems like I had something like that many years ago. OK, somebody that knows what I'm trying to say please respond. :p

[ESOX]

Good pont John, were you checking all the weather bands?

[Gone Fishing]

I can't remember but it seems like there is a USA band and a couple others or something like that. Anyway, it was set on the wrong band from the factory and I'm pretty sure it was a Uniden.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Weather channels are from 1-9 and the other channels are 01-whatever. Make sure you are not on 02, or 05 for example but on 2 or 5 or 6 whatever in your area.

[golfpercy5]

ok, ran the radio straight to a charged battery and still have nothing, i checked to make sure it was on the right bands. I have an 8ft. shakespeare, the one that costs 54.99 at cabelas. It must be the problem, but i would think that i could get something with it. Thanks for all the help, any more suggestions would be helpful. thanks

paul

[double trouble]

antenna lead is shorted at male plug.some strands got loose and crossed up the connection.resplice and try again. or borrow any vhf antenna like a cb just to test. seen it a few times.fixed a few for other guys too. Dan :piparty:

[FishTales]

I would have to say check the antenna connector, when you put the connector on, did you solder the inside wire ? Might just have to take it off and try putting it together again. I installed a radio and new antenna on my boat this summer, works like a charm.

[Jason Adam]

It sounds like you've ruled out all but the antenna. If it is a factory connector, It's less likely that its bad. If it's one you put on, pull it and get the sheakspeare solderless connector(i could find the part number, but its the gold one they sell at BW and WM). You could also just go to someone elses boat and try hooking the radio up. I'm assuming you have moved the boat to make sure its not just some crazy signal blockage where the boat is sitting?. Do you have a Hand Held or someone else with a boat you can test TX and reception with???

[golfpercy5]

alright, i got the solderless connector from shakespeare and gave that a try, it didn't help. And i have moved the boat so its not some wierd blockage. I'm gonna visit west marine and try picking up a different antenna. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all your help, I appreciate it!