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Thread: how do you check if an aerial is working

  1. #1

    how do you check if an aerial is working

    OK, how do you check if your vhf aerial is working, at least close to what it should, or is it something you need specialised equipment for. I've noticed the range for my radio has decreased.

  2. #2

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    You can get it tested, QME at Brendale offer this service, Give them a call

  3. #3

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Quote Originally Posted by lethal098 View Post
    You can get it tested, QME at Brendale offer this service, Give them a call
    I'd imagine there is someone here on the Sunshine Coast as well, I gather you remove it and take it to them, this is the awkward part as getting to the nuts behind the bracket is very tight.

  4. #4

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    No they test the operation on the boat with everything connected,

    Call QME, i know Dick gets up that way from time to time with mobile work,

  5. #5

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Any two way radio repair shop should be able to check it for you. Need a RF power/swr meter. Takes about 5 minutes provided access to the rear of the radio is available (tow your rig to the repair guy). Need to check forward and reverse/reflected power - should be as close to 25 watts forward as possible with a minimum of reflected power and ideally a SWR reading of 1.5:1 or less. Personally I have one of these meters https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AVAIR-AV...4AAOSwl7NazYQf but they are a bit pricey for an occasional user. There are cheaper options around but I can't comment on their results - if you go down that road just confirm it's suitable for 156MHz and at least 25 watts of power. You could try calling Steve at Linemaster - he's a marine electronics guy up your way - not sure if he has a meter or what he charges to check an antenna. Google search shows a few other communications companies as well.

  6. #6

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Quote Originally Posted by scottar View Post
    Any two way radio repair shop should be able to check it for you. Need a RF power/swr meter. Takes about 5 minutes provided access to the rear of the radio is available (tow your rig to the repair guy). Need to check forward and reverse/reflected power - should be as close to 25 watts forward as possible with a minimum of reflected power and ideally a SWR reading of 1.5:1 or less. Personally I have one of these meters https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AVAIR-AV...4AAOSwl7NazYQf but they are a bit pricey for an occasional user. There are cheaper options around but I can't comment on their results - if you go down that road just confirm it's suitable for 156MHz and at least 25 watts of power. You could try calling Steve at Linemaster - he's a marine electronics guy up your way - not sure if he has a meter or what he charges to check an antenna. Google search shows a few other communications companies as well.
    Scott, when I recover I just might have to tow my rig down your way and go for a spin 😆

  7. #7

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Quote Originally Posted by Dignity View Post
    Scott, when I recover I just might have to tow my rig down your way and go for a spin 
    No worries Sam.

  8. #8

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    just installed a VHF GME and cant get any chatter, the aerial comes clean off the mount revealing the metal connecting contact, am i supposed to put some kind of grease to maintain a electrical bond ? have power and sqelch has been adjusted, its the only noise i can hear and i see the transmit signal when i ask for radio check. Also just learnt that you need a VHF licence to operate? though not enforced by maritime at this stage , so am told by a marine rescue nsw skipper. he said once i have a licence, i will get a personal serial number matched to my VHF radio and if in trouble i just press the red button and the details of the vessel light up on marine rescue data systems, kinda like its going to replace the epirb so he says....

  9. #9

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Mate I just gave my local vmr a call.

    Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

  10. #10

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Quote Originally Posted by catshark View Post
    just installed a VHF GME and cant get any chatter, the aerial comes clean off the mount revealing the metal connecting contact, am i supposed to put some kind of grease to maintain a electrical bond ? have power and sqelch has been adjusted, its the only noise i can hear and i see the transmit signal when i ask for radio check. Also just learnt that you need a VHF licence to operate? though not enforced by maritime at this stage , so am told by a marine rescue nsw skipper. he said once i have a licence, i will get a personal serial number matched to my VHF radio and if in trouble i just press the red button and the details of the vessel light up on marine rescue data systems, kinda like its going to replace the epirb so he says....
    What old mate is talking about is DSC - digital selective calling. To get this to work you need a DSC capable radio, a GPS unit connected to it and an MMSI number programmed into it ( not a personal serial number - you have to make an application to AMSA for it and the operators license is a pre-requisite) and it in no way (unless things have changed) is it going to take over from Epirbs. The Australian government as far as I knew, have absolutely no plans to put in an automated coastal repeater network for DSC operation and do not monitor it at all. Some VMR's/Coastguards may have installed their own DSC but there are plenty of areas on the Australian coastline where VHF coverage is sketchy at best - not to mention a lot of the VMR's are not 24/7 manned. DSC is monitored by commercial shipping so could be beneficial in that regard in some areas.

  11. #11

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    As Scottar says. Catshark, When you are checking your VHF are you at home or on the water. Only ask because I had a mate who thought it would work from home.

  12. #12

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Catshark. A VHF licence is required to operate your VHF. Do a course with your local VGC or VMR, there's a lot covered in the course, cheap as chips and then you would understand why chatter on certain channels and at certain times is annoying and can interfere with rescues.

  13. #13

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    well summed up , and clear as day yes im going to enroll to do this course, cant believe im just hearing about this, where i been ?

  14. #14

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Quote Originally Posted by Dignity View Post
    As Scottar says. Catshark, When you are checking your VHF are you at home or on the water. Only ask because I had a mate who thought it would work from home.
    Can't you just call the bloke who just drove out of sight? ...or were you to interested in pies and sausage rolls?? Sam if you pulled the boat out of the garage and called up the coastguard or VMR from your place, they should give you a clear signal as to whether you're working or not.

  15. #15

    Re: how do you check if an aerial is working

    Wags, yes and no, VHF uses ground or surface waves which basically means line of sight, there are some quite tall buildings between my place and Caloundra CG, tried it once when the VHF was first installed. Mine works atm but seems to be limited to about 5km probably due to it being hit by a tree once, I'll be checking and replacing my aerial once I can get back on my feet as I suspect I have some corrosion going on inside the aerial.

    The pies were great and so was the pizza 😎

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