GME GX600 VHF radio problem any advice appreciated
Submitted by beeroclock on Tue, 2015-10-13 20:44
Gday i recently installed a new GME GX600 VHF radio and GME VHF antenna to the boat. I tested it straight away on land (Jindallee) by calling VJ6LQ, the reception was perfect with no interference at all and they said i was coming through 5 out of 5 so i was pretty pleased with myself. Went out of two rocks and tried to call VJ6LQ on the lead line there near the cardinal marker - they could hear me but the reception was shocking - loud loud interference and i could only just make out their reply . Continued out 25km west of two rocks tried to call VJ6LQ - nothing but real loud interference. Any ideas why this would happen?
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
What are you running that you
What are you running that you weren't during your test?
Motor, sounder,GPS,?????
its a process of elimination.
beeroclock
Posts: 741
Date Joined: 22/08/12
nothing was running during the test on land
turned motor off out on water but didnt turn off GPS/Fishfinder (Dragofly) and back up elite 5 sounder out there cause i didnt think they could affect the radio reception - the radio antenna cable is running along side the cables for the GPS/fishfinder and backup sounder under the dash - could that be the issue or is it a distance thing - was i too far from Whitford sea resue base for good reception
Leigh85
Posts: 37
Date Joined: 11/03/13
Mine did the same, it turns
Mine did the same, it turns out the sounder was the problem, did a test with a new antenna on my radio with the same issue (so not my antenna) and a new radio unit on my antenna and was fine, ended up taking ithe radio back to GME for a warranty job and got a new one, still bad at times but nowhere near as bad as the first unit., I think I have narrowed down the interference to others that are just within range As I hear the rescue groups talk then interference then rescue groups again.
The first radio, Without the sounder on I could get Fremantle sea rescue from Baldivis, but once in the water could barely get rocky sea rescue from just outside the ramp, I tried to move the radio as far as possible away from the sounder thinking it could be getting interference through the cables or the unit its self, but that still didn't work, if I unplug the transducer cable it stops the interference completely.
second radio I can get rocky sea rescue from Rotto, they are about 4s
not really a solution for you but something to look at.
Leigh85
Posts: 37
Date Joined: 11/03/13
Maybe try turn off your
Maybe try turn off your backup elite sounder first, as mine is an elite 7, would be interesting to see if the elite is the problem for you
beeroclock
Posts: 741
Date Joined: 22/08/12
OK will try that - sounds like ive got the same problem
you had with either the elite or dragonfly or both - thanks for your reply mate!
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
You should be able to pick up
You should be able to pick up 6LQ without a problem from that distance. The "Loud Interference" sounds like something in your boat is causing the problem. Switch everything off and see if it goes away..... then add things back until the problem appears.
You have to find the fault before you can fix it!
Rob H
Posts: 5804
Date Joined: 18/01/12
just asking, but have you
just asking, but have you used a VHF before? Its not just the squelch is it?
You need to eliminate stuff when it is happening.
Turn EVERYTHING off including phones etc.
I discovered a few months ago that my VHF was getting crap reception from Abrolhos to Gero (30 mile, 60km)
Just by chance a few hours later my mate discovered it was the little USB/cig adaptor for plugging iphone charger into.
Pulled it out, crystal clear.
One of my LED floods has a similar effect on the AM radio
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
beeroclock
Posts: 741
Date Joined: 22/08/12
Yeh squelch was my first thought so turned it right down then
up a bit til light hissing stops through the speaker and volume up that was when i was in the front yard and worked perfect sounds like its a sounder/s problem so will turn everything off out there and try - its good you mentioned the cig adaptor plug my boats also got one so will also have a look at that too cheers
Taffy
Posts: 184
Date Joined: 04/11/10
VHF problem
Like other have said switch everything off and then switch one item on at a time to find the cause.
once you find the cause get yourself a handfull of FERRITE CLAMPS from Jaycar or even cheaper on ebay and put them on power leads as close to the back of the device as possible by wrapping the cable as manys turns as you can through the ferrite clamp, they also work well on the radio at the power cable and coaxial cable, i have them on my radios x3=HF-VHF-27Mhz and on sounder /Transducer etc
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Beat me to that one. Not bad for a F-Call huh,
Just purchased a heap myself.
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
Great to see the F calls
Great to see the F calls helping the non radio savvy.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
I'm the F-Call, Taffy is standard or advanced.
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
Starbug
Posts: 563
Date Joined: 27/08/09
advanced here.... well I was
advanced here.... well I was an old Z call :)
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
Cabling
the antenna cabling needs to be run as far as possible away from all the other cables as possible , as well it should be a straight run with out any sections coiled or bunched , mount you antenna away from all other radios and equipment as well , the ferrot clamps will help but segregation will be your best result , As the other mentioned check how your squelch works as well and use this to a minimum