Can anyone recommend a good VHF Radio Tech in La Paz? I was down there a couple of weeks ago and trying to share info with a boat from Fisherman's
Fleet but was having a heck of a time being heard by him. Even when we spotted each other and were only a couple of miles apart he was having trouble
copying me. He was coming in loud and clear. I tried to get a radio check from any other vessel but got no response so I assume the problem is my
transmissions and not his receiving.Hook - 7-8-2007 at 08:13 PM
Try replacing the connector on your antenna first.
Then try tracing your power and ground leads to their source and cleaning them up. The power surge needed to transmit at 25 watts could be more than
these connectors are allowing.pangamadness - 7-9-2007 at 07:56 AM
There is a guy in Los Barrilles who fixed my radio about 8 years ago. I think he would still be there. He has a house north of the 2nd north arroyo.
To find him you would have to ask around town. I found him through a guy named Mako. Your problem is likley to be your anntenna connection hook
says, or the power.comitan - 7-9-2007 at 10:04 AM
The best in La Paz is Victor on 5th Feb. same side as the Pemex toward the water.Alan - 7-9-2007 at 01:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
The best in La Paz is Victor on 5th Feb. same side as the Pemex toward the water.
Above or below Abasolo?longlegsinlapaz - 7-9-2007 at 02:20 PM
Comitan is currently...out of Comitan! From his description, I'd say below the Abasolo.bajajudy - 7-9-2007 at 03:29 PM
You probably know this but did you have it on international or usa?Bob and Susan - 7-9-2007 at 05:04 PM
my back up VHF is doing the same thing...i just bought another on EBAY for $100 delivered
report what it was....maybe i can fix the "old dog"Alan - 7-9-2007 at 07:30 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
You probably know this but did you have it on international or usa?
It wasn't a matter of not being able to contact him. That I was able to do. The problem is that it has very limited range. He was able to hear me
faintly when he was only about 3-5 miles away.
I think Hook might have the best advice. There are rumors that things can occassionally rattle loose after a trip down Hwy 1. I need to check it
next time I'm in town. If that doesn't work I'll take someone else's advice and just replace the radio. With the cost of electronics nowadays
compared to labor rates it is often just cheaper to replace than repair.bajajudy - 7-9-2007 at 07:36 PM
I could be wrong but I believe that if you have it on the wrong band you can transmit but not receive. Have you heard anything on your radio?
BTW it should be on usa.Hook - 7-9-2007 at 07:47 PM
Amen, on the cost of repairs versus buying new. At least in the States.
If you replace the antenna connector, get the solder-on type over the crimp-on type.
[Edited on 7-10-2007 by Hook]Alan - 7-9-2007 at 08:41 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Listen to Hook before blaming the radio. Antennas are often far more important than people believe.
Perhaps more important than the electronics.
--Larry
I agree which is why I had upgraded my antenna to the Shakespeare 5225XT. It was not uncommon for me to talk to people 30-40 miles away and at times
even farther if they had their antennas mounted really high like on some of those battlewagons.
It will be a few weeks before I can get down and check all of the connections. I guess I was just hoping to find someone down there that had the
equipment to measure signal strength.bajaguy - 7-9-2007 at 08:55 PM
would that use the same type of in line swr meter as a CB unit???Alan - 7-10-2007 at 06:42 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
would that use the same type of in line swr meter as a CB unit???
??? I don't know. That's why I was looking for a tech.
I don't mean to be sarcastic (sometimes I can't resist) but I really don't know that much about fixing or even testing radios. I know how they work
but unfortunately that's about it. I think my best bet is to just start checking to ensure I have good, CLEAN, connections. It seems corrosion is
usually the basis of every electrical problem on a boat.Hook - 7-10-2007 at 07:54 PM
There really doesnt seem to be much that can be fixed, economically, on radios anymore, Alan. But then, they dont fail very often any more, either.
I think you will find that the connectors are the problem.
How old is the unit? What brand?Alan - 7-11-2007 at 07:04 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
How old is the unit? What brand?
It's a 4 year old ICOM that came with the boat. I forget the model number but I'm sure it's the bottom of their line.
If it turns out to be anything more than connections I'll have justification for an upgrade that my wife will accept.
New Radio
bajaguy - 7-11-2007 at 07:20 AM
just tell your wife......Sounds like the transmitter circut board has RF capicity inoperability....which is not a repairability issue......also, that
model ICOM radio is only capable for transmission/receive on inland US waterways, not for international use.....both of those reasons more than
justify a new radio....gotta think safety!!!!...Hook - 7-11-2007 at 10:23 AM
A 4 year old ICOM? Very likely connectors or something else related to your electrical system.
Unless, of course, you or the former owner subjected the boat to a regular pounding on the seas.DavidT - 7-11-2007 at 10:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
also, that model ICOM radio is only capable for transmission/receive on inland US waterways, not for international use.....
It is possible.
Here is an actual reply from Uniden regarding using their UM 525 VHF in Mexico, where channel 70 is used for voice communication, causing the entire
radio to shut down.
"Thank you for using our system. In North America, Channel 70 is used for DSC signals, not regular analog signals. Since the radio is really
intended for use in the U.S. and Canada only, Channel 70 is not used for any radio analog transmissions. Apparently Mexico uses channel 70 for other
uses, so you will have to purchase a Mexican marine radio for use in that area of the world."Hook - 7-11-2007 at 11:09 PM
A Mexican marine radio? I doubt such a thing exists. Maybe a conventional North American radio, modified by someone. But I doubt a manufacturer is
marketing a radio specifically for Mexico.
Besides, I doubt Alan or David Jones' operation is using 70.
Radios
bajaguy - 7-12-2007 at 05:59 PM
Alan:
Check the West Marine web site....they have a sale onBajaBruno - 7-12-2007 at 07:53 PM
Channels available change with some frequency. You may remember my query recently about not being able to tramit on Channel 1 through 4. RayMarine
said that when my radio was built, the FCC didn't allow those channels to be used---now they are used. Channel 70 is another example---older radios
can transmit on Ch 70, newer ones cannot.
Mexico has a mix of old and new and radios with certain qualities are probably traded around to areas where a certain channel is needed.
