UHF radio transmission issues - tips for others.

have a GME 3200 UHF radio mounted in the centre between the seats.
Noticed on the last trip that sometimes we had transmission problems.
On TX, the display would flash or blink quickly, say a few times a second and our friends reported that they heard a high pitch sound but no voice.

Got it working in the end.

1st problem was that we had a large metal object, in fact a 12v charger for the computer, next to it. Made sure no large metal objects were with 50cm of it and it transmitted fine.

2nd problem. Later into the trip, first thing in the morning, same problem. Nothing large near it. Once the engine was started and we got going all was OK. Worked out that the radio was hooked up to the 2nd battery, and the battery was down to about 12.2V. Fridge had run it down and the low voltage cut out on the fridge had come in.
Swapped the radio to the main battery and all OK.
Doh, of course they don't work when they don't get enough juice. :o)

So a couple of things to look out for when travelling.

Live and learn.
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Reply By: Member - Footloose - Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 17:24

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 17:24
The "low on joice" will also be found to be the cause of some HF autotune difficulties.
AnswerID: 324684

Reply By: Peter 2 - Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 17:41

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 17:41
Another one to watch with CB's is that some require the actual case of the radio to be earthed to the vehicle. This is usually done by accident when mounting it using the supplied cradle. The problem arises when it is mounted to a plastic console or dash and not metal or velcroed in place.
I always advise people to run a second earth wire from a screw on the case to a good metal ground, can be quite amazing the difference in reception particularly.
AnswerID: 324687

Follow Up By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 07:46

Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 07:46
Good point,

Mine is also mounted to the plastic centre console.
Will put an earth wire in to the case.
0
FollowupID: 591886

Reply By: sfletch - Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 19:24

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 at 19:24
I found out .....by accident....did'tn know ...but my uhf is earthed by the arial on the bullbar.
AnswerID: 324697

Reply By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 05:56

Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 05:56
John C

I had a lot of issues with my first UHF.
I earthed the case of the UHF to the battery's earth.
I earthed the base of the UHF aerial, to the battery's earth.
I had to scratch the base of the aerial to the Bull Bar.

Still had transmit/receive problems !

Finally, I tracked the power supply, to the UHF,,,
Not enuf juice to the unit

Found that my mate, who meant well and had helped me set it up, had just gone in behind the fuse board, and just jammed the live wire, into a 5 amp fuse holder, that was doing something else

Solution.... what I have done with my new ICOM 400 Pro

Wire up straight from the battery, a 20 amp fuse, at the battery to deliver as much juice as possible to the unit.
Keep the 10 Amp in line fuse, at the back of the unit.

Earth back to the battery.

Hopefully I have solved any issues with the new unit..

But I must remember " Murphy's Law"

Cheers Bucky
AnswerID: 324735

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 07:53

Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 07:53
Some good comments here.

When I started setting up accessories in the paj, I bought a multi fuse distribution box. It also has two supply in connections, with some fuses on the first and a number of fuses on the 2nd supply.
So main battery goes to 1st one in, 2nd battery to 2nd supply in.
All accessories run off this fuse box, including the UHF.

So to swap the UHF to the main battery I just transfered the connection in the fuse box from one fuse to another, in effect 2nd battery to 1st battery. Can do the same with any accessory - just in case :o)

Thought that one through before I started. O)
AnswerID: 324741

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