Problem with Standard Horizen VHF

[Rockfish]

Re: Standard Horizon Explorer GX1700

We plugged in the power and antenna for the VHF marine radio today for the first time this season and had a major problem. It was working just fine when it was removed last fall.

It would not start up (LCD panel does not come to life when the power button is pressed) but would make a continuous soft rapid clicking like sound whenever the main boat power was switched on and which stops when the antenna is disconnected or boat power is turned off.

We are thinking it is getting power but that it it is either a broken unit or a bad/shorted out antenna which is triggering some sort of protective relay circuit hence the rapid clicking like sound which stops when the antenna is disconnected. This is just a guess and we are far from being radio techs.

It also will not start with the antenna disconnected and I can't remember if that is normal or not.

Anyone have any ideas.

 

[bones]

Possible bad return path, take off the neg wire and clean the connection. They can corrode over winter with moist air. Unplug the unit and test power, looking for at least 13v at the connector

 

[Hookin'up]

Start with cleaning the grounds

 

[trophywife]

i agree, grounding. or lack of.

 

[Rockfish]

We spent some time today cleaning up connections. For the radio problem it appeared to be the inline white plastic spring loaded fuse holder. Not the first time we have had problems with those things. VHF is now working after cleaning all the contacts. All electricals now working except the twin power horns which likely have a ground problem. At first they would just click and then one of them made a a little bleating sound like a sick goat and now nothing. --- for another day.