GME 3400 - Transmitting issue
Submitted: Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 11:12
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Member - Brian A (NSW)
I have a GME 3400 2-way, complete with a 4.5db aerial. I can receive "loud & clear" from others, upto 12 or so klms away, but when transmitting, my signal is difficult to receive by others that are more than 1.5 to 2 klms away. The problem is consistent whether I'm in front, middle or tail-end-charlie. Aerial is mounted half-way along left-hand mudguard.
It has been suggested that I get the signal tested. Does anyone know of someone that can do this in
Sydney - I live on the southside. "Outsiders" often refer to it as "the shire"?
The radio has been installed for about 5 years, but only recently become aware of the problem.
Thanks
Brian
Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 11:31
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 11:31
Hi Brian,
first I would check all connections, cable and antenna for breaks, loose connections, dry solder joint, and the antenna mounting point. Without using "techno jargon": When you transmit, you are putting out "power" along your cable and antenna, so any weak point it will break down. On recieving, you don't have the same "power" in reverse, thus no breakdown. Similar principal to your 12 Volt system: poor connection, put a load on it, and it fails. same with your radio. Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
354284
Follow Up By: Member - Brian A (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 12:29
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 12:29
Thanks Fred.
All good points. I like your analogy. Shall check as suggested.
Brian
FollowupID:
622448
Reply By: Member - Steve O (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 11:33
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 11:33
Hi Brian,
I would suggest you talk to GME Head Office in Gladesville they may help you diagnose the problem and point you in the right direction to get it fixed. Their number is 02 9844 6666.
Regards,
Steve O
AnswerID:
354285
Follow Up By: Member - Brian A (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 12:45
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 12:45
Thanks Steve.
Just rang GME - thanks for the number - and spoke to one of their technicians, who was very helpful. He's given me the contact details for one of their "technical dealers" at Banksia - 9599 1555. Shall give them a call.
Shall "post" how I get on.
Regards
Brian
FollowupID:
622452
Follow Up By: Member - Steve O (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:23
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:23
Hi Brian,
I'm glad that they could be of help.
I agree with everything Fred said but know from bitter experience that you either need an incredible amount of patience, time and luck or the right diagnostic equipment or all of the aforesaid to detect this type of fault. Therefore, for the sake of sanity it probably is better to go to a specialist.
I have had in the past a similar problem with my Marine VHF unit and I ended up buying a signal tester from West Marine in the US. Of course "Sods Law of the Sea" dictated that the fault was at the top of the mast where I found a dodgy connection.
I would be interested to know how you get on and good luck.
Regards,
Steve O
FollowupID:
622479
Follow Up By: Member - Brian A (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:30
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 14:30
No worries Steve. Shall let you know.
Brian
FollowupID:
622482
Reply By: Foxhound (WA) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 15:24
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 15:24
I had the exact same fault with exact same radio a couple of years back. Tech said one of the final transistors had burned out and the set was not worth repairing. Apparently this is a common fault with that radio.
AnswerID:
354329
Follow Up By: Member - Brian A (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:16
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:16
Thanks Foxhound.
Bugger hey!
Brian
FollowupID:
622523
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thoughtfully- Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:18
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:18
Which tech did you find to advise you of this? I am interested in reading a bit more about that fault cause I reckon I have the same problem.
FollowupID:
622526
Follow Up By: Foxhound (WA) - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 10:57
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 10:57
My Brother here in WA repairs them (retired now). He had 3 others there of the same model all with the same problem. Apparently the curcuit boards and components are so small that it is impossible to replace any of the transistors. I now have a more upmarket Uniden and am happy with that, however as stated the Mic lead could also be his problem. I think though as it is transmitting only a short distance it indicates low power output and that was exactly my problem.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian A (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 11:45
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 11:45
Thanks Foxhound.
Not looking good.
Brian
FollowupID:
622665
Reply By: new boy - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:05
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:05
I have had a somewhat similar problem transferred my old radio to the new car was talked into a windscreen aerial ie only 2 stripes on the screen as the
Perth dealer claimed to have had good success with them . I could get the incoming signal fine but could not transmit more that 2 k's and that was only in flat country .
Spoke to my bloke and he will alter and put an aerial on
AnswerID:
354345
Follow Up By: Member - Brian A (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:18
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:18
Thanks new boy.
Hopefully my problem is as "simple" as an aerial issue.
Brian
FollowupID:
622525
Reply By: rumpig - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:43
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:43
i had exactly the same problem with my old GME
uhf radio, my problem was the mic lead. GME are known for this problem when they get old.
the guys at Olbis just down the road from me got a new mic out of the packet and plugged it in and checked with the guy in their workshop, radio worked fine with new mic. plugged the old one back in and it was abit ordinary, wiggled the mic lead around and it was abit worse. a new mic has fixed my problem, might be same for you.
think it was about $50 for a new mic.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:47
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:47
when i say my old uhf, i mean it's about 10 years old and in it's second 4wd vehicle. so not to bad for a uhf i reckon, and now with new mic it's still going strong.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 18:00
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 18:00
My 3400 had the same problem.....the mic lead wires had snapped off eventually from flexing at the mic, though i never knew until one day i did a "radio check" in
Brisbane and nobody answered. :-)
Seems i had been listening for several months yet couldn't transmit.....also explains why my quick response to a couple travellers and truckies went unnoticed ("hey mate, your tiedown ropes are dragging on the road" etc)
I pulled it apart and redid the connection which fixed the transmission issue.
Andrew
FollowupID:
622537
Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:45
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:45
Can also be dirt + crap inside the transmit button giving lousy contact , dirt and oils from the thumb work themselves in after a time.
AnswerID:
354359
Reply By: Member - Charlie M (SA) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 18:16
Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 18:16
Had same trouble with mine occasionally doing the same and unscrew hand piece, gave blow out with compressed air not missed a beat since then.
Cheers
Chass
AnswerID:
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