VHF Radio

[striperday]

I am getting so much feed back from what I assume is my 140 Suzuki four stroke (Just in case that matters) That my squelch will not even eleminate the noise. Can anyone tell me how to wire this thing to aleminate my problem. By the way there is an electrical block or something under the console on my 190 that I have not figured out either. Thanks!

[ReelDive]

Leave your radio on and shut down you motor if the noise goes away then it is the culprit if you still have the noise and you have a GPS or bottom machine try turning them off one at a time. I've seen them cause the same thing. also it is posible that one of the pumps could cause the static.

If none of the above helps IM me and I'll see if I can help some more.

I'm a retired Radio Tech

[Genelie]

Yes do what reel dive says, then you should of had some noise suppressors with your electronics, that snap over your power cables

[striperday]

It's the big motor. I moves the power to the trolling motor battery.

[MolarBoater]

Hey Striperday,
Something just doesn't sound right. I have a vhf wired to the fuse block in the center console and have never had interference. I wonder if you may have a leaking ground somewere?
ReelDive, what do you think? It may not be an issue now but might start causing issues somewhere else like the bilge pump, etc.

[tampafrank]

Before I installed my fixed mount I had a similar problem receiving noise on my handheld which was not even wired to the boat power. I have a 2006 Bay190 with the digital tach and speedo. After my tach was replaced for a failure the noise had stopped.
You may be able to use a portable radio (am/fm) to help localize the source of the interference.

[MolarBoater]

http://www.protroll.com/blkbox3.html

This is on my short list of things to do.

[striperday]

I did what was suggested by turning various things on and off and found that the big moror was causing a lot of the squelching. I moved the wiring from the starting batterys which has all the electronics hooked to it and wired it to the trolling motor battery. The constant squelching noice went away which was caused by the big motor. Then I turned the VHF radio on and was happy to see that now everything is fine. THEN I turned my Lowrance x15 fish finder on which is located on the dash beside the VHF radio with about 6 inch between them. The VHF radio does not squelch to the point that I can not turn it out but the LCD gauge goes all the way across the screen as if I am keying the radio. I now thank it is picking up the sonar frequence from the graph. I can cut the graph off and everything is fine once again. I am going to KEEP TRYING.

[MolarBoater]

I went to www.standardhorizon.com and checked out my online manual which is going to be similar to other "fixed mount" VHF's in installation.

They rec to temporarily mount it to test for interference with the compass and other electronics if close. Also the antenna may be too close or if angled could give interference as the antenna broadcasts energey horizontally and not upward.

They highly rec that all VHF antennae be mounted at least 2 feet above your head for EMF safety which I have heard can cause eye damage but may effect electronics too.

Might check the solder job on the antenna plug going into the back of the radio? Where's the antenna mounted? Is the compass effected by vhf keying?

Keep us updated, you sound real close to finding the problem.

[ReelDive]

Welcome to FCC part 15 rules, ie: This device shall not cause interferance and must except interferance---- That's FCC for "we ain't gona get involved with the noise that comes from digital devices".. "go fight amongst ur selves! Maybe some lawres might benifit."

Prior to part 15 rules we had to have a liencense and that protected us some. Follow the money!!!!!

You'll see the part 15 rules on almost every device out there now, including your radio!! It is also interesting to note that , although the marine channels are for marine use only , they are used extensively by deer dog people in much of the south. this is against every international agreement the USA has signed. I've personally complained to the FCC on this matter and the tell me that if I can document every interferance problem that I' ve incountered that they will look into it when they get the manpower. They want Names , times, frequencies etc from me. OK it's just like speed laws---- who gives a sh-----------t We have become a nation of outlaws and it keeps CCA in bussiness.


my $.02

Guess i better stand by for the flames---