I had not used my M802 for a couple years. Now getting ready to
head offshore again. Here's what I know:
~ System installed in 2006, new M802 with built in SWR meter , AT140 tuner & whip
antenna
~ Worked fine in 2007
~ When I went to use it again in 2012, I could hear boats nearby (within 20 miles) but not far away.
~ Checked the connections on the cable that runs from the whip
antenna to the tuner, and found that it had corroded. Cut the end off the cable, & reattached to the tuner.
~ Tried to check into the morning net, still can onlyl hear local boats, nothing far away. It's like the antenna isn't even attached.
~ Another boater suggested that keying the mike witht he antenna unattached could have blown something in the transciever- is this true?
~ The SWR meter moves on the side labeled "forward" (I think this means transmit) when I key the mike, but the the other needle (is this for receive?) (they cross) doesn't seem to budge.
~ Any troubleshooting suggestions would be helpful.
~ I have replaced the groundplane with one of those kiss groundplanes, since the old braided wire was all corroded.