Do radios wear out ??

SEA3PO · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject: Do radios wear out ??

I think I already know the answer...but my VHF is probably 15 years old...it was a super one when I bought it...(took it off my tug) but now it just seems like it does not reach out and is not as sensitive as it was when it was new...it is a Apelco VXL9500... still works fine...but just not as well as I remember it did when it was new.... Is there any way to check the performance ?? and is there any way to re-tune it ?? or is it worth it ?? should I just buy a new one?

Ideas ??

Joel
SEA3PO

lloyds · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:55 pm Post subject:

If it was me and I no longer had total confidence in my radio I would probably toss it and plug in a new one. The new features like DSC are pretty cool, and for $120 or less you can get a pretty decent set. For a little more, a wireless mike, which is even better.

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject:

Joel, you can have the output tested by someone with a power output meter, I've got one but am quite a ways away. I'm sure it's solid state (transistors vice tubes) and as long as you can hear people and they can hear you, its fine. New radios are nice though... Laughing

I sold my old Apelco VHF boat radio on E-Bay for $35 and bought a new one...

Charlie

Sawdust · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject:

Joel,

Charlie is right (always!) - most amateur radio guys have equipment to test the output of your VHF -- you can take it to a pro shop too, but a new unit would be cheaper.

One problem I ran into when upgrading - had planned to use my old VHF but the FCC said it was no good any more and could not be licensed. Charlie may know more about this.

Dusty

Ted Osborne · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject:

Joel. Don't forget that there are two elements of reception, one is the radio itself and the other is the antenna.There are others that know a lot more than I do on this subject, but if you could borrow a handheld that has an antenna that you can take off you should be able to connect that up to the antenna on the boat. I know several guys that thought their radio was going out and we tried another radio that we knew was good and found out the antenna was the culpret.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:03 pm Post subject:

Hey Joel, I have a power output meter with SWR (standing wave ratio), it'll check out your power, connections and antenna worthiness all in one shot. Are you going to the 'quickie' next weekend?

Steve

SEA3PO · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject:

No, I will be leaving on Tuesday morning for Lake Powell....probably won't be home until May 7th... then a week and a half until the Delta event...don't think I will be home again until November.....(summer vacation)

Joel
SEA3PO

SEA3PO · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject:

Oops ! I forgot...gotta be home for Catalina....

Joel
SEA3PO

dogon dory · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:35 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

El and Bill · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:50 am Post subject:

Good advice, Dan. Anytime you lose confidence in anything that deals with safety on your boat, exchange it -- cheapest insurance you can buy -- and what's your safety worth?

dogon dory · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:26 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

DaveS · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:41 am Post subject:

dogon dory · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:18 am Post subject:

How about turning that statement around?

Could I replace my wife with three 20 year olds?

On second thought, nevermind, I can't afford it in the long run, and in the short run, I'd be dead before morning!

Joe.