CB radio problem

[Randygh]

I purchased a CB radio for the boat one and one-half years ago. I bought a CB tuner and quickly found out the antenna could not be tuned, and I'm not into cutting the end off my antenna. I hooked it up to my Shakespear CB antenna and it worked great to talk to my bro while boating. Range was only a mile or two. No need to tie up the VHF with chitter chatter. Last fall the radio quit transmitting and receiving. Interestingly, when I key and speak into the mike, the LED's light up as if it was transmitting. Also, when bro calls me, the LED's indicate good reception while he is talking to me, but there is no audio either transmitting or receiving. I have adjusted the squelch and it didn't make any difference. There is no squelch scratch noise. So, since the unit only cost $50.00, I suspect it is messed up and I'm better off to buy a new unit rather than sending it in for repair. Any thoughts??? :confused:

[wickus]

sounds like a bad antenna connection. Can you recreate it?

[Go Aweigh2452]

get a hand held CB from WalMart for $40. Midland makes one with 40 channels or another online:

http://www.mobilepc.com/Electronics/MIDLAND-75-822-40-Channel-2-Way-Radio

Why not just a set of family walkie talkies? We keep a set onboard and they stay charged forever. In fact I am charging them now for this coming boating season... Those are ridiculously cheap too. Good for 24 miles... hand held CB is good for about 4 miles on the water...

walkie talkie: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-2-Pack-22-Channel-LXT380VP3-GMRS-Radio/14277632

Base model CB:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Midland-1001Z-40-Channels-Base-CB-Radio-/320712081214?pt=US_CB_Radios&hash=item4aabedff3e

[Nimh]

hmmm... transmit and receive lights, no noise with squelch down - I would check the connections to the speaker on the unit. Maybe the speaker itself has gone south.

After that, I would go with door number two from Doug's post above. We use a similar set of GMRS rechargeables. You don't have to be at the helm to use it, throw it in the dinghy, dump it in backpack while hiking across the island, whatever. Weather radio channels are a bonus.

[Fred P]

I gave up on the CB in the boat. We use the little family walkie talkies when we are with a group and do not want to chatter on the VHF.

Fred P..................

[Randygh]

I have a set of handheld CBs. We tried them with my bro, but found that batteries would drain, or he'd turn his off and forget to turn it on, or I couldn't hear him when he hailed, and it got in the way on the dash or . . . . . . The fix mounted unit worked well. I always take one of the handhelds in the dink when I'm setting crab pots so I can call the Admiral if need arises.

I screwed on/off the antenna connection several times. Still didn't make a difference in transmission or reception. Is there a way to check out the antenna to see if it is functioning properly? I think I'll remove the CB and take off the cover to see if there is anything--broken wire, hot spot on circuit board.

[Getaway]

So, since the unit only cost $50.00, I suspect it is messed up and I'm better off to buy a new unit rather than sending it in for repair. Any thoughts??? :confused:

Float test!