Radio or antenna problem? - The Hull Truth

Rambunctious · 04-29-2009, 01:48 PM

Icom M504 - everything seems to be working fine EXCEPT the output volume is extremely low, almost inaudible even when cranked all the way up with squelch all the way down. Even the static is low volume. Weather channel is the only clearly audible channel, but only when volume turned all the way up.

I requested a couple of radio checks, and I'm pretty sure received loud and clear responses (but so low I'm only pretty sure, not 100% certain), so I think I'm transmitting ok. Put an SWR meter on it and got 1.7 reading, maybe not optimal but still pretty decent. DSC functions seem ok.

Called Icom Tech Support and it was suggested the antenna might be bad(?) and I should try a different antenna. I'm thinking it has to be the radio, and would prefer not replacing the antenna just as a test. I don't have (access to) a spare antenna, and since the radio is built in it's a bit of a hassle ripping it out to try it in someone elses boat. Any thoughts?

dowop · 04-29-2009, 02:01 PM

My money would be on the radio speaker.

It's not a bad idea to keep one of those emergency stowaway antenna's on your boat anyway so that is certainly one option.

t3rockhall · 04-29-2009, 02:07 PM

radio. Have you tried an external speaker (if there a jack for one?).

fairbank56 · 04-29-2009, 03:03 PM

I can't believe Icom told you that. The antenna has nothing to do with the audio volume level of the radio. With no antenna connected at all, the noise (squelch off) should be VERY loud with volume turned up. You know you also have a speaker in the mic? Is it also very weak? Regardless, you will need to return the radio for service.

Eric

t3rockhall · 04-29-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairbank56

I can't believe Icom told you that.

I can.

Rambunctious · 04-29-2009, 03:28 PM

That's what I thought too. Is there actually a speaker in the mic, or is that only with a remote mic? I don't think I've ever noticed anything coming out of the standard mic.

I'll have to rummage around the garage a bit. I think I've got an external speaker laying around out there that I can hook up to see if it's the internal speaker.

fairbank56 · 04-29-2009, 04:15 PM

Yes, there is a small speaker in the mic. You need to place it up to your ear to hear it. Works great in a noisy environment as when your engine is running.

Eric

rwidman · 04-29-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dowop

My money would be on the radio speaker.

Rambunctious · 04-30-2009, 03:53 PM

Just to come to closure on this, when I was looking around the garage for an external speaker to test with, I found an old radio I had pulled off another boat several years ago and hooked it up to the antenna. Everything worked fine. Guess the M504 goes back to Icom. Thanks all.