GU Patrol UHF problems
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 08, 2009 at 22:45
ThreadID:
65821
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4
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Member - Si (WA)
Hey all,
I have a GME TX3400 UHF that has been installed for a couple of years now. I get quite a bit of static when someone is transmitting on a channel but only when the engine is running. With the engine off every channel is clear as a bell.
I have tried a second antenna but it does not appear to have made any difference. Wiring could be an issue (installed to manufacturers recommendations) but before I go and pull everything apart, I though it best to check with everyone's wealth of knowledge.
I have tried the net and the search on this web site but other than the usual common faults (generally wiring or alternator) I really want to know if it is a GU patrol issue and if there is a common fix for them.
Any helpful comments would be appreciated.
Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Sunday, Feb 08, 2009 at 22:53
Sunday, Feb 08, 2009 at 22:53
If it's okay when motor is not running, I think you can safely discount any issue with the antenna.
You need to see where the power is coming from..... I would recommend the power come direct from the battery (via a fuse of course).... and not from hacking into some other power source (eg: windscreen wiper etc).
You should also double check the earthing. It may be that the negative wire is not making a good earth. Ideally, it should be earthed to a known "good" point (eg: an existing earthing point like a bolt under the dash that has other items earthed to it), or an even better option is to run it back into the engine bay and to the battery itself.
If you have any of those damned Scotch-locks anywhere in the wiring.... do yourself a favour and pyss them off asap.
Good luck
Roachie
AnswerID:
348250
Follow Up By: Dave(NSW) - Sunday, Feb 08, 2009 at 23:03
Sunday, Feb 08, 2009 at 23:03
Roachie is spot on,Also check that aerial wire isn't running next to or touching any power wires.
Cheers Dave...
FollowupID:
616483
Follow Up By: Member - Si (WA) - Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 00:12
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 00:12
The aerial wire does run down along pass the main battery and then through the firewall under the drivers side. It would not surprise me in the slightest that it is electrical interference and I might try running down the other side of the engine bay and through the fire wall on the passenger side.
Might also wire it directly to the second battery (just in case I forget to turn it off) and totally eliminate the acc connection that kills power when the keys are out.
Really just wanted to make sure there was no easy fix (eg. suppressor) but I guess I will have to twist into those impossible positions and do some rewiring.
FollowupID:
616489
Follow Up By: Member - Bucky, the "Mexican"- Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 04:33
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 04:33
Si
In order to get best power into your UHF, go directly to your second battery, and fuse it (at the battery), as there should be another fuse at the radio end, ie.....both ends fused.
I also run the cables in some of that split casing. Beautiful !
Cheers
Bucky
FollowupID:
616494
Follow Up By: Member - Glenn D (NSW) - Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 11:37
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 11:37
Hi Si ,
I would give the re earthing a go before moving the cable .
The shield ( outer layer ) of the coax relys on being grounded to protect the coductor inside from interference . You could just use a long piece of wire from the battery neg terminal to check.
Glenn.
FollowupID:
616513
Follow Up By: Member - Si (WA) - Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 23:54
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 23:54
The re-earthing thing may be the go. I will connect a wire to the chasis somewhere so I have a good earth to test with and try attaching it to the casing while the car is running.
The second battery will probably get done regardless as I would mind having a bit of a wiring clean up under the dash. Good way to waste a day and then complain to the missus all night because my back is sore.
FollowupID:
616602
Reply By: Ozhumvee - Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 05:58
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 05:58
Another thing to check is that the actual case of the radio is earthed.
Is the radio mounted to a plastic panel like the console or similar?
If so run another ground wire from the case to a known good ground point, in some radios the case needs to be grounded to shield the innards.
Just because the black neg wire is connected to earth doesn't mean the actual case of the radio is.
AnswerID:
348268
Follow Up By: Member - Bucky, the "Mexican"- Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 16:15
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 16:15
Peter
I have done similar, when we owned the Navara, but the best power supply of the lot, is directly from the 2nd battery. I have done the direct to the 2nd battery thing, and the chassie earth thing too on the Patrol
Cheers
Bucky
FollowupID:
616550
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 17:33
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 17:33
Is it really static (a tick,tick,tick or buzz) or more like a whistle which changes in pitch as you rev the engine ?
AnswerID:
348345
Follow Up By: Member - Si (WA) - Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 23:50
Monday, Feb 09, 2009 at 23:50
Mike,
The sound is pretty much like the people transmitting are just in range and if I turn the car off it is crystal clear. There is nothing when there is nobody transmitting (if that makes sense).
FollowupID:
616601
Reply By: muzzgit - Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 at 22:36
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 at 22:36
I had interferance with my 3.0 GU through the UHF, not the same as yours but almost. It didn't happen at first, I think it might have been a year or so after I'd fitted it that it started to happen.
The problem only happened when the vehicle was moving!
It wasn't until I took the UHF out to trade in the car and I found that the coax was pinched between the dual battery tray and the firewall and the insulation had worn through!
AnswerID:
348658