My VHF radio is no longer working properly and I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. When I press the button on microphone there is a continuous beep until I release button. Also if I change channels and press microphone button the radio reverts back to channel 16. Squelch makes no difference and I can hear others fine. It's the same with or witout aerial connected. It's a GME Electrophone GX548.
Thanks,
Steve

If you've been trying to transmit with no antenna connected, you may have damaged the RF output stage.

Select to expand quote

AUS126 said..
Also if I change channels and press microphone button the radio reverts back to channel 16.

My initial though to this one is possibly Dual Watch is set to 16. But generally you would broadcast on the selected frequency.

Select to expand quote

AUS126 said..
When I press the button on microphone there is a continuous beep until I release button.

Can you get hold of another handset and see if you can eliminate that as the cause.

Thanks for the replies. Just did a bit of googling and wouldn't be surprised if it's a power problem

Select to expand quote

AUS126 said..
Thanks for the replies. Just did a bit of googling and wouldn't be surprised if it's a power problem

I reckon power is a good place to start. I have a couple handheld VHFs that wont let you transmit when they are running low on power and do that beeping sound as you describe.

If you have access to a multimeter than you can see if power is the issue. You should have either 12 or 24 volts i cant remeber which, but if you have say 7 volts than power is the issue.

Another similar problem elsewhere but it does not appear they got to the bottom of it: www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php/180922-Problem-with-marine-radio-GME-GX600 - there was a suggestion that perhaps a problem with the antenna or lead? To quote: "It sounds to me like the radio is receiving excessive RF back into the PA when you transmit. The radio inhibits TX so as not to cause any further damage."

But that's a pretty old unit. A flash new one with DSC & GPS might be worth it.

Select to expand quote

wongaga said..
If you've been trying to transmit with no antenna connected, you may have damaged the RF output stage.

I always thought this was something to watch out for but my professional radio friends say unless you short out the antenna connection, it's virtually impossible to damage it by transmitting without an antenna on sub-GHz frequencies.

Select to expand quote

AUS126 said..
Thanks for the replies. Just did a bit of googling and wouldn't be surprised if it's a power problem

Maaate!! That is a frigging old radio. Nothing wrong with GME (buy Australian) but prob cost more to fix than buying a newie.

This be your model.



This is what I got on my boat and even it is out of date.

Low voltage by the sound of it

Had a similar thing happen to my VHF a while back, turned out to be corrosion inside the electronics. I had to ditch it.

Select to expand quote

samsturdy said..
Had a similar thing happen to my VHF a while back, turned out to be corrosion inside the electronics. I had to ditch it.

I'm inclined to agree. If it did not have 12volts it would not turn on. Corrosion is the most likely problem. If you clean up the earths and it does not work then buy a modern VHF.

I tried another battery and it works. Old battery was showing 10.4 volts. Enough to listen, and I think enough to transmit a beep, but not enough to talk. A good reminder that VHF radio is pretty useless without power. Thanks.

Select to expand quote

AUS126 said..
I tried another battery and it works. Old battery was showing 10.4 volts. Enough to listen, and I think enough to transmit a beep, but not enough to talk. A good reminder that VHF radio is pretty useless without power. Thanks.

They will turn at a lower voltage but keep chopping to Ch 16. A lesson in check the simple things first

Select to expand quote

AUS126 said..
I tried another battery and it works. Old battery was showing 10.4 volts. Enough to listen, and I think enough to transmit a beep, but not enough to talk. A good reminder that VHF radio is pretty useless without power. Thanks.

Maybe checking the voltage first should have been your first move!

Select to expand quote

cisco said..

AUS126 said..
Thanks for the replies. Just did a bit of googling and wouldn't be surprised if it's a power problem

Maaate!! That is a frigging old radio. Nothing wrong with GME (buy Australian) but prob cost more to fix than buying a newie.

This be your model.



This is what I got on my boat and even it is out of date.

Finished an install of the GME VHF yesterday, GX700 I think it is, I'm pretty impressed with its features for just over 2 boat bucks, I got it because it has the channel up/down on the mic, which saves a trip downstairs to change channels,
It also has ch16 and scan on the mic, and pleasantly surprised even a
has a speaker in the mic.. made in China as most things are, but seems ok.

They have an extension mic that can be plugged in remote from the radio too. For $249 it is a good bit of kit.

www.gme.net.au/au/accessories/mk012w/

www.gme.net.au/au/accessories/le103/