cobra vhf radio trouble...

[diver 1]

I have a newish Cobra MR55 vhf radio on my rib which has been working absolutely fine - used it a lot doing safety cover last autumn. Anyway I tried to call up Portland Coastguard yesterday and didn't get any reply at all. It seems my radio is receiving fine, but not transmitting... however the buttons etc on the mike all seem to operate correctly - can change channels etc and there is no signs of any corrosion. Have fitted a new aeriel and aeriel cable but this has not solved the problem, any suggestions welcome. Thanks

[jumpinjack]

Had same problem on a cobra m55 myself. Contacted cobra, they where fab and sent me out a brand new radio. Mine was 9 months old, apparently some thing goes in the mic button I was lead to believe. Customer service was a credit to them, they didn't even ask for the faulty set to be returned, I just sent them prof of purchase.
The replacement unit I got worked great. They are Based in Dublin- phone 00353 1 2367007 or mail jlpoot@cobra.com
Paul

[paulbrown22]

The display should show "Tx" or similar when you hold in the PTT (talk) button, to provide a visual indication that the set is transmitting. Is yours showing something when you transmit? That will at least prove whether the button is working as expected. If yes, faults like this are often traced back to dodgy antenna wiring connections rather than anything wrong inside the radio itself.

And are you on high or low power? With RIB aerial's often mounted quite low, and possibly stronger signals emanating from other boats closer to the CG antennae, worth trying high power if no response on low.

If you're in a marina, who are likely far less busy than the CG, so less liable to miss a call, can you try with them?

[diver 1]

Yeah screen shows TX and a series of bars whilst transmitting also came alongside my mates boat and tried radioing him and nothing. Could hear him, but he couldn't hear me.

[paulbrown22]

In which case, sounds like something wrong with the mic, or with the radio itself! Maybe the same as Paul's comment above.

Hope you get it sorted.

[willk]

I don't generally do this, 'cos of the sh1t storm that follows, but IMO, you should pull the Cobra, get it replaced, Ebay it in the box and buy something else, chalk it down to experience. They have a DREADFUL reputation for failing. That's OK on a less vital piece of kit than a VHF. Maybe a basic Standard Horizon if budget is important...

[diver 1]

Cheers, didn't realise they were bad, this is my 3rd one so it makes sense I guess. Certainly their customer service is absolutely cr^p.

[diver 1]

So the spec I need would be a dash mounted VHF radio with DSC connection with my lowrance GPS. What make and model of radio does anyone recommend?

Cheers

[willk]

Which GPS is it?

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by willk

I don't generally do this, 'cos of the sh1t storm that follows, but IMO, you should pull the Cobra, get it replaced, Ebay it in the box and buy something else, chalk it down to experience. They have a DREADFUL reputation for failing. That's OK on a less vital piece of kit than a VHF. Maybe a basic Standard Horizon if budget is important...

+1

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

+1

+2

[ashbypower]

So Cobra customer suuport is Good....

It should e they have a lot of Practice..
mates boat nxt to you could not hear.... ok not helpfull info....
Was there No Audio, No RF Signal or Both ??

As said get something Decent... Icom, SH, Lowrance or Garmin. My Preference is in the order there written

ICOM been in the Business Donkey's years, and used by comercial and miltary not just Marine.

SH again been around forever good kit

Lowrance, quite new to RF invented leisure Sonar and great Plotters.

Garmin new guy's on the Block in the RF world.

Just my twopenneth worth based on Yerars of R & D in RF..