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26-06-2015, 13:35
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Boat: Cal 48 Wainui
Posts: 282
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VHF stops receiving after about a minute
I turn on my VHF and it works fine for about a minute then fades out and will not transmit or receive. Older antenna up the mast. Does this sound like an antenna problem?
Thanks
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26-06-2015, 14:13
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#2
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Moderator and Certifiable Refitter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: South of 43 S, Australia
Boat: C.L.O.D.
Posts: 20,241
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
A bit more information would be helpful, like:
What model
Does the display fade as well
Do you still hear receiver noise when you open the squelch and does this respond to the volume control
However from the infromation as posted, it sounds to me like a faulty radio or perhaps bad power wiring to the radio (corrosion in connectors or terminals).
__________________
All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangereous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence
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26-06-2015, 14:39
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
I'd say it's broken...buy a new one.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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26-06-2015, 14:59
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#4
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,306
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialsailor
I'd say it's broken...buy a new one.
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Based on the limited information this is the most likely answer. An electrical component like an IC, transistor, etc losing function as it warms up is a common failure mode.
Generally a bad power connection isn't that temperature dependent. Won't hurt to check the power to the unit but may be new radio time.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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27-06-2015, 08:22
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kingston Ont Canada
Boat: Looking for my next boat!
Posts: 3,101
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
I agree with the comments above.
If its a basic unit, cheap enough to replace.
However, if you want to try to save it, why not open up the case, attach power, and see whats going on inside. Often it can be an obviously loose connection or component, or a part that is clearly overheating. If its broken anyway, wouldn't hurt to look.
Also, you might want to test the power wires to the radio...it would be a shame to toss a working radio because of a wiring problem on the boat side of things. Simply attach the radio to a different power supply and see if you get the same results...or start by putting a voltmeter on the power cables to the radio and see whats what.
Also, remember to save the wiring harness, connectors, and even the mic (if it unplugs) in your spare parts...you never know when they might come in handy.
Good luck.
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27-06-2015, 08:46
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 13
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
A bad capacitor can cause that kind of issue. Charges for a minute then can't hold it's charge and fades out. If you open it up look for the components that look like small beer cans, often with a crease across the top. You might have a couple of larger caps and a bunch of smaller ones. Look to see if you can find one that is swollen, puffed out. YOu can replace them cheap if you can solder. Remember, most have polarity, plus & minus, they'll be marked.
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27-06-2015, 10:22
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#7
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
Definitely a simple cheap component overheating and not an antenna problem. Should be a simple fix but if you don't know electronics and soldering, the minimum charge in a shop will often be as much as the cost of a new radio. If you can find a ham or other hobbyist to take a look at it, try that. Otherwise...cheaper to replace, sad to say.
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27-06-2015, 10:26
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,492
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
I foresee a new radio in your future.....
__________________
Bristol 31.1, SF Bay.
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27-06-2015, 12:46
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
Cripes! We're talking $89 for a new one.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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29-06-2015, 11:49
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Boat: Cal 48 Wainui
Posts: 282
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
Thanks for the replies.
It is a West Marine VHF480 Fixed VHF Radio $120.
Display works fine. I unplugged the antenna and ran the radio for a few minutes then plugged it back but no go.
At least its not the antenna or cable.
I will take it apart to see if its obvious what the problem is or just by a new one, but definitely not a West Marine unit.
Regards
M
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29-06-2015, 12:22
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#11
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Channel Islands, CA
Boat: 1962 Columbia 29 MK 1 #37
Posts: 14,261
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
Upgrade to one with GPS and perhaps AIS receiver, you'll love it!
__________________
DL
Pythagoras
1962 Columbia 29 MKI #37
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15-07-2015, 11:21
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Boat: Cal 48 Wainui
Posts: 282
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
Power Transistor is the problem. Replacement aprox $50. Worst Marine just refer you to Uniden who charge a flat rate of $45 plus shipping.
A new unit, Standard Horizon GX 2200 with AIS is in my future.
Thanks
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15-07-2015, 12:08
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#13
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: VHF stops receiving after about a minute
That may be garbled. A $50 power transistor would either be a very powerful one, or one marked up several times to "retail plus". On the top of the power transistor will be an identification code, I'd suggest checking with DigiKey, Mouser, or Newark Electronics and I'd expect they can sell you a new one for $10. Assuming that really is the problem.
Because those transistors normally control the transmission power, and when they are blown the receiver usually still works perfectly--you just can't transmit.
A $45 flat repair is not unreasonable, even if you just send it out to keep as a spare afterwards. You might also ask Uniden if they would consider taking the radio as a trade-in towards a new unit, instead of repairing it. Some companies are glad to do that.
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