Hand Held VHF Radio

[Slayer]

I just bought a handheld VHF at WestMarine. An ICOM IC-M36. Though I have done lots of sailing it has always been on other people's boat or boats owned by my sailing club. So I have never owned my own radio.

I can get the weather channels on the hand held, but not the other channels including 16 or 14. I have adjusted the squelch and volume but nothing. No static or transmissions. Nothing. I called westmarine but the electronics guy is not in for a couple of hours.

Any ideas?

[MarkSF]

Do you mean that when you turn down the squelch right down while on 16, you can't even get a hissing noise? If so, sounds like the unit is faulty.

Or do you get noise OK but no transmissions?

[Slayer]

No hissing,,,nothing. But the weather channels come in loud and clear.

[MarkSF]

I think this model has an auto-scan function, so it scans other channels when it can't get anything on 16. You might try turning this off, see if it helps.

[svHyLyte]

Check your display to ensure you have not inadvertently switched your radio to International Mode which can happen if you hold down the channel/weather button for a second or more. Insure the auto volume control is deactivated. For more, the manual for the radio is available at IC-M36 Downloads - Icom America