VHF Weak Signal

[max-on]

Uugghh, I did a radio check yesterday and the VHF signal was weak, for you locals, Wickford to Allen's Harbor, Mechele was talking on the cell phone to her brother who just purchased Sea Tow Rhode Island, who is based at Allen's Harbor, we were on the mooring at Pleasant Street, I said let me do a radio check, he could just barely receive me, I could receive him, but it was not a strong signal. I guess it could be the antenna (it came with the boat, do not know the make), or maybe the connection at the mast base. What is the best way to determine the problem?

[Vasco]

trial and error. check connections, check for chafe on the coax. i had a similar problem, replaced the connectors, still no joy, pulled the antenna wire from behind the nav station, it was all chafed from rubbing against the inside of the hull.

[sailingdog]

Max-

You need to get an SWR meter and check the connection between your VHF and your antenna. It will also let you know what the power output on your VFH is. If you need to borrow one, let me know, since I have one on the boat, and you're not that far away.

[max-on]

SD, thanks, I will let you know, I am going to check the connections and see if there is a problem. Also, what antenna would you recommend, I remember you posted a pic of one in a previous thread, but I readily could not find the post. The radio is a shipmate.

[sailingdog]

Max-

[xort]

Also consider the power source. A bad ground or weak power feed can rob you of TX power. That SWR meter can tell you if the signal coming out of the radio is good. If it isn't then the radio or the power supply would be the likely problem.