Puzzling VHF problem.

[hellosailor]

RFI can be hard to figure out, and throwing money in the form of "maybe" new equipment isn't something I'd usually suggest. However, not all coax cable is the same, and most if not all of the marine coax on the market does not have a 100% shield in the "shield" layer. Combine that with the fact that as coax ages, the properties of it change, and if it hangs unsupported in the mast (as almost all of it does) the section in the mast pulls itself thinner, like taffy on a hot day, degrading itself a bit more every year.


So, if your cable is ten years old? It might make sense to replace it with a premium grade new cable, properly supported and with a 100% shield layer, and see if that also cures the RFI problem at the same time.


Or, borrow, buy, or build an inexpensive "emergency" antenna, and see if the VHF still picks up the RFI when using that. (Quicker & simpler than expanding the project list with a new antenna cable.(G)

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by Saltytimes

Hi there,
We are fitting out our 32 foot ketch for coastal cruising. Since doing a bit of work on the electrics the VHF has been playing up.

During the day the squelch on the VHF can't be controlled. It's all static, but still receiving and transmitting clearly. Once the sun goes down this problem is gone. The squelch controller works as normal. We have a handheld VHF that is working fine as well both night and day.

We have an antenna on the top of the mast, 12m high. I am sure the ionosphere has something to do with the clarity at night. But this is a new problem since disconnecting and then reconnecting the antenna from the back of the radio.

Any ideas on getting it working in the daytime again?
Thanks in advance ,

Jamie
Sv Charade
www.saltytimes.com

Might this be related to thermal expansion of a connector at the top of the mast. Vhf is not ionosphere sensitive. ( mostly).

Try another aerial and cable. Process of elimination.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[tunnelvision]

We had the same problem and replacing the solar controller fixed it.