Replacing an older VHF

[CLucas]

Grey Goose, my 1977 Pearson 30, has an older Motorola Triton II vhf (early-1990s) that has stopped transmitting but receives okay. While, thanks to other threads on the same topic, I've learned that the problem may lie in the coax connection to the antenna (or the antenna itself), I'm considering using the opportunity to replace the unit with a DSC-capable unit. Couple of questions… Assuming the problem is the radio itself, is the Motorola unit worth repairing? (I'm guessing not, but will defer to those more knowledgeable than I – I doubt it’s like a vintage Mustang with a little bit of rust…). Second, with respect to a DSC-capable-unit, I only have a handheld GPS/plotter which I use all the time (pedestal-mounted). While it has an NMEA 0183 ver. 3.01 data output (compatible with the ICOM fixed mount radios I’m considering), am I over-thinking this? Lastly, any thoughts on an easy way to test the viability of my antenna before I risk frying a new radio?

Couple of other points… We’re coastal cruisers in LI Sound – need to be safe, but hardly refitting for a circumnavigation. I also keep a very reliable ICOM handheld on board (shorter range than a fixed mount, of course, and intended as a backup).

Thanks in advance for responses and insight.

Counting the days til spring…

[btrayfors]

CLucas,

How old is the coax? How difficult to replace?

New, high-quality marine-spec RG-8X coax is $ 0.35 per foot. Well worth replacing with new coax and new connectors.

The antenna is likely OK; they don't often go bad. But, in the event you need a new one you can get a Shakespeare 5215 for about $45 delivered.

Before you decide what to do with the old VHF, either test it into a dummy load or have someone do it for you. Shouldn't be a problem in LI sound (find an electronics shop or an interested ham operator).

The Icom 504 is an affordable, good VHF with Class D DSC (two receivers). You can get one for $275 delivered. The remote cockpit mic option will add about $140...you can add it anytime, and it's a very good thing to do for most sailors.

If you don't already have a decent SWR/PWR meter which will read to 150-160 mHz, it's well worth investing in one. Invaluable tool for diagnosing radio performance and problems.

Another thing well worth having is a dummy load. The MFJ 260C 300 watt dummy load works up to 600mHz, is small, and costs less than $40.

Bill

[SailorByFate]

Get youself an emergency VHF antenna (google for examples of them). Should be less than $40. These are small portable antennas you can connect directly to your VHF. If you can transmit with that antenna, then you know the problem is in your main antenna, coax, or connectors.

The emergency antenna is a nice backup to have on board, so you're not wasting your money even if you discover your radio has failed.

[sailingdog]

One thing on the Icom M504. It does have a hailer/PA/Foghorn function built-in, but you have to purchase a 4 Ohm hailer horn for it, since it doesn't come with one.

[CLucas]

Originally Posted by SailorByFate

Get youself an emergency VHF antenna (google for examples of them). Should be less than $40. These are small portable antennas you can connect directly to your VHF. If you can transmit with that antenna, then you know the problem is in your main antenna, coax, or connectors.

The emergency antenna is a nice backup to have on board, so you're not wasting your money even if you discover your radio has failed.

Good suggestion, thanks (ordered today).

[CLucas]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

CLucas,

How old is the coax? How difficult to replace?

New, high-quality marine-spec RG-8X coax is $ 0.35 per foot. Well worth replacing with new coax and new connectors.

The antenna is likely OK; they don't often go bad. But, in the event you need a new one you can get a Shakespeare 5215 for about $45 delivered.

Before you decide what to do with the old VHF, either test it into a dummy load or have someone do it for you. Shouldn't be a problem in LI sound (find an electronics shop or an interested ham operator).

The Icom 504 is an affordable, good VHF with Class D DSC (two receivers). You can get one for $275 delivered. The remote cockpit mic option will add about $140...you can add it anytime, and it's a very good thing to do for most sailors.

If you don't already have a decent SWR/PWR meter which will read to 150-160 mHz, it's well worth investing in one. Invaluable tool for diagnosing radio performance and problems.

Another thing well worth having is a dummy load. The MFJ 260C 300 watt dummy load works up to 600mHz, is small, and costs less than $40.

Bill

No idea how old the coax is, but prudence would suggest I at least inspect (or maybe just replace) it from the cabin to the base of the mast and check the antenna connection when my hired gun is up the stick doing some other work in the coming weeks.

I'm going to test the unit with a small emergency antenna before having anyone do anything further. Without DSC, it seems somewhat obsolete to justify spending much on.

Thanks!

[sailingdog]

BTW, I would second BTrayfors suggestion of buying a SWR/PWR meter, since they're relatively inexpensive and make trouble shooting a lot simpler. I got one last year and it saved me a lot of trouble running around, since it let me quickly test the existing wiring to the mast and up the mast. The piece going down the length of the cabin was the problem and was replaced.

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

CLucas,

The Icom 504 is an affordable, good VHF with Class D DSC (two receivers). You can get one for $275 delivered. The remote cockpit mic option will add about $140...you can add it anytime, and it's a very good thing to do for most sailors.
Bill

You should also consider the Standard Horizon GX1500SB ($159)/remote mic $113. It also is a true Class D DSC radio, the cheapest I have found. Be very careful in reading ads for DSC radios - the manufacturers are very cagey about not telling you whether or not their toy is Class D. If it only says SC-101, avoid it.

DSC radios have other advantages besides reporting your position, although that is not a negligible feature. DSC allows you direct communication among members of a fleet, when you are cruising together, as well as "caller ID" when someone calls you whose MMSI is in your radio's memory. If you are getting a new radio you would be cheating yourself to get a non-DSC device IMHO.

BTW if you can receive on your present radio, there is not likely to be anything wrong with the antenna.

[chuck5499]

for the price and if you can not check it why not replace it - take a look at the icom 422 and the remote mike - i have a standard horizon and after i got hit by lightening found out that sh changes their standards a lot as the new sh radio did not accept the old remote mike - and it has a lot of junk on it - all i wanted was a remote mike but enough venting -
the remote mike makes it simple to use and you never leave the cockpit to use the radio
chuck and svsoulmates
ki4sry

[sailingdog]

DSC has a lot of advantages...and is soon going to be the standard way for reporting trouble via VHF... it has several advantages over a non DSC radio in the case of an emergency, since it will broadcast your MMSI (mobile Maritime Service Identifier IIRC) and location if tied into a GPS. This makes calling for help much simpler and more accurate and also gives the USCG a good description of your vessel's size and capabilities, from the MMSI number.

BTW, a radio will often receive but not transmit if there is a wiring problem with the antenna. My radio could receive but couldn't transmit. The ability to receive doesn't really say much about the quality of the antenna connection. Unless you have an SWR/PWR meter to check the connection with, don't assume it is good.

Originally Posted by pegasus1457

...DSC radios have other advantages besides reporting your position, although that is not a negligible feature. DSC allows you direct communication among members of a fleet, when you are cruising together, as well as "caller ID" when someone calls you whose MMSI is in your radio's memory. If you are getting a new radio you would be cheating yourself to get a non-DSC device IMHO.

BTW if you can receive on your present radio, there is not likely to be anything wrong with the antenna.