Poor VHF Reception

[Son Worshiper]

I have a problem with my VHF that seems to be fairly uncommon.

I can be heard very clearly at considerable distances but I cannot hear other boaters that my friend (rafted next to me) can hear coming through clearly.

Even when I turn the squelch all the way down I can't hear the other boaters that my friend (with the same UNIDEN radio) can hear when he's sitting right next to me.

We both have splitters on our antenae so that the FM transmissions are also received through the VHF antena but it doesn't seem to matter whether or not the AM/FM is on or off.

I can only hear others who are very close or have very strong signals.

Any ideas?

[wen]

Wouldn't matter if the radio was on or off, the signal doesn't know that.(the signal divides the same weather or not the devices are on or off)
I don't know if you have a "switch" or a splitter, you said splitter.
The way a splitter works is that the signal is divided in a logrithimic fashion,been a long time so I can't explain the exact theory, but suffice to say that it doesn't divide evenly, more like 70% or so goes to each leg.
Now,your switch,or splitter is attenuating the signal(More likely if you have a switch-the contacts are bad)
When you broadcast you are pumping out 25 watts or so and unless the receiving boat has antenna problems he will be able to hear you with-in a certain distance anyway.
when you are receiving you aren't getting 25 watts at the antenna !Any signal you may be getting is a very low amplitude and if you have a bad connection, bad splitter, bad switch,it doesn't take much to knock down that signal to a point where your squelch setting won't even help.
Hope this helps.Most reception problems are from the influence of the salt enviornment on connection points,not the antenna.A little corrosion goes a long way !
Wen

[Son Worshiper]

Wen,

Thank you for this detailed explanation! I'm going to get in there and clean all the connections. If that doesn't improve things I may resort to purchasing a separate AM/FM antena and just do away with the splitter/switch thingy. According to everything you've described it can't help to have that.

Thank you again!

[wen]

You're welcome.
You know, the one other option might be to borrow your buddies splitter or try his radio on you boat to check out your antenna setup. I think you said you had the same radios.Also, check you ground connection too,but if you are getting out ok it's not likely that is the problem.
Just a thought.
Best of luck
Wen

[27 sailfish]

Is it possible to disconnect the splitter and run your VHF antenna wire right to your VHF radio ?

There are also different antennas for VHF - I think rated as DB. Sorry , but forget which one is better suited for small boats.

One is better for smaller boats - has something to do with rocking motion since the VHF wave goes out in a fan shape pattern.

I have an AM/FM stereo and VHF - both have seperate antennas.

VHF radio is far too important and good VHF antennas are around $130.00.

Be sure to buy a quality end connector - this really makes a big difference.