duefocena,
Please forgive my bluntness....
But, Seriously???
Quote:
Originally Posted by duefocena
Need to update my earlier post on my UNIDEN ES 525. While I had cleaned the BNC connectors with a bronze wire brush and emory cloth I ignored the grounding wire shield. I cut the bnc out and inspected the cable. The grounding shield mesh turned to dust in my hands until I cut out about a foot at each joining end. Went to WM and for $10 a new shakespeare bnc w/ a much better rubber insulating cover installed and the radio check pulled clear transmission about 10 miles away.
Additionally, I now have disconnected the Garmin GPS map from the VHF as it hampers the clarity of it's sound.
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You should never use a wire brush and emory cloth on an RF connector!!!
In an
emergency, maybe a green scotchbrite pad....but never anything rougher than that!!!
I assumed that your earlier reference to a "BNC" connector was a simple typing error....but now I'm wondering if this radio is using BNC's???
But, whatever the case with the connector, whether BNC or UHF (SO-239 / PL-259), it appears that you have some SERIOUS VHF Radio system problems!!!
From your description, it appears that your VHF
antenna coax has moisture penetration and is all but useless....
REPLACE this coax with new and better cable...
Also, it appears you haven't weather-proofed the connections very well...
Please read up on how-to do this properly...
And, if your Garmin GPS being connected to the VHF Radio (which it IS supposed to be connected to), is causing
interference ("hampers the clarity of its sound"), then this Uniden VHF radio is seriously defective and/or you have some serious VHF Coax
wiring issues, and/or some serious
NMEA wiring issues.....(most probably the radio, combined with the other 2 issues, is my best guess.)
BUT...
But, whatever the exact cause of these issues are, the bottom line is:
a) Your VHF
antenna coax is bad / very lossy, and needs to be replaced...
b) Your VHF antenna coaxial connectors are suspect, and should be replaced...
c) Your VHF antenna coaxial cable connections are inadequately weather-proofed, and need to be redone...
d) Your Uniden VHF radio is suspect, and should be replaced...
I completely understand about being on a
budget, but as a boat's primary VHF-DSC radio is their primary
communications device, and is one of their primary
safety tools on-board, I highly recommend replacing / repairing your VHF radio system as I describe....
This will cost you less than $500, all-in...
[and, combined with the description of the radio in your earlier post, I cannot fathom while you haven't scraped that thing already!]
Fair winds...
John