I recently installed a new
antenna (Shakespeare 5215), new coax (Ancor, RG-213), new connectors (Shakespeare PL-259-G and PL-258 Splice), and a new
VHF (Standard Horizon, Eclipse DSC+).
I first performed a
DSC test with the US Coast Guard. In this test, I received a digital acknowledgement. My subsequent
phone call confirmed that my
DSC signal was received at the nearest Coast Guard station, approx 1 NM from my position.
Next I tested the
reception of my
radio by turning on my Standard Horizon handheld
VHF and setting both this handheld and my new fixed mount VHF to Channel 16. I was troubled to discover that the new fixed mount would not receive some of the transmissions that the handheld received.
This led me to believe that there was something wrong with my new antenna/coax/connectors.
To test my hypothesis, I borrowed an old fixed mount
ICOM brand VHF from someone. Surprisingly, this
ICOM seemed to
work just fine with my new antenna/coax/connectors. It received all the same transmissions that my handheld VHF received.
This led me to believe that there was something wrong with the
reception capabilities of my new Standard Horizon fixed mount VHF.
To test this reception-problem hypothesis, I conducted an automated
radio test with SEATOW on Channel 27. I should mention that SEATOW is located approximately 3.5 NM from my position. The ICOM radio passed the transmission-reception test. Surprisingly, the new Standard Horizon fixed mount passed the test as well.
Afterwards, I switched the new Standard Horizon fixed mount back to Channel 16. Much to my dismay, once again, it was silent when the handheld VHF was receiving verbal traffic on Channel 16.
I'm really at a loss. It appears that my new fixed mount VHF works in some capacities, but not in others. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Roscoe