I’ve got a Uniden VHF and a 8’ Shakespeare antenna. I also have a stereo mounted near the VHF radio. I have used the SeaTow radio check and received a clear playback on channel 27, but the last time we went out the weather forecast came in very poorly and I wasn’t able to receive from channel 27.
Was it a bad day for reception, or is it possible I’m having interference issues from the stereo? Any thoughts on how to isolate my issue? I’m located in Summerville, so I don’t know a good way to test transmission/reception without a buddy…
We went out to the '60 reef last week and it worked fine. Until I turned on the running lights as we passed Ft. Sumter. I’m going to try moving the antenna wire inside the console; I’ll report back how it went.
Thanks for the link. I’m concerned that I will have a hard time moving the power wire for the navigation lights away from the coax where it runs through the T-top. I’ll try the console first and see how it goes.
There is no way your lights are introducing noise into your vhf. There is no expanding or collapsing magnetic field in the light on your t top, only dc current that does not change once you turn it on. I suspect that the problem is probably corrosion or a loose connection somewhere where power is supplied to your vhf.
There is no way your lights are introducing noise into your vhf. There is no expanding or collapsing magnetic field in the light on your t top, only dc current that does not change once you turn it on. I suspect that the problem is probably corrosion or a loose connection somewhere where power is supplied to your vhf.
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If this isn’t the issue and it is actual (EMI) electromagnetic interference or (RFI) radio frequency interference… there are some ways to try to mitigate those issues. Snap on ferrites or toroids can be placed on the coax, power supply and ground wires to help choke out unwanted interferences. Hope this helps and let us know which gives the best results.
Edit: Keep in mind the different diameters of the cables, coax and others as the snap ferrites come in different sizes. Get the ones that will fit each cable the tightest without crimping and put as close to the unit as you can. If it slips around on the wire a little you can use a ziptie on the cable to help hold in place.
There is no way your lights are introducing noise into your vhf. There is no expanding or collapsing magnetic field in the light on your t top, only dc current that does not change once you turn it on. I suspect that the problem is probably corrosion or a loose connection
I would argue that since all the wiring is about a year old, I don’t think it’s corrosion. A loose connection is possible. That said, I can literally turn my running lights off and reception clears. I’ll definitely try relocating wiring, and ferrules to try to isolate it. More to follow.
All of my lights are LED. I’ve moved my VHF cable to the other side of the T-Top, shortened it and moved it away from most of the remaining wiring inside the console. No change whatsoever.
All my gauges are also LED, so I haven’t tried to see if I can isolate the running lights, deck lights, or gauges to the source of the interference.
The Sea Tow Automatic Radio Check(ARC) system is up and running again at the Charleston Harbor Marina. The ARC went down around Thanksgiving for repair and software replacement. All is well and please give it a try next time when boating in the greater I526 belt-line areas of our Lowcountry waters. Just an FYI from the local Charleston Sea Tow. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.