VHF background noise

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 16:18

Heading out other day I decided to do radio check with Humber coastguard , there response was I came through loud and clear but with background noise!!!
I'm guessing this may be to do with all power cables from battery being close to vhf wires?
Another question is I have magnet block/ clamp which came with radio so where is it to be fitted? Sure this has something todo with limiting interference etc
Cheers
Graham

jyasaki · 09 May 2014, 16:38

Probably not battery cables. Usually noise has to do with the antenna cabling picking up stray signals from AC sources. Might check things like transducer cable from your fish finder, and route the antenna cable away from the engine (spark plugs blast a lot of RF signal.) Also, double check all the antenna connections and make sure they're tight and well connected.

The ferrite bead *may* help, though I think it's supposed to knock down outgoing interference rather than incoming.

jky

Nos4r2 · 09 May 2014, 16:46

Odd question, but do you have any LED bulbs onboard and were they on at the time? The cheap ones sometimes interfere.

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 16:46

Yeah it was outgoing as coastguard said when I called up it was loud n clear with background noise, so where is best to fit the ferrite I have?

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 16:52

No leds on rib mate

Festinghouse · 09 May 2014, 16:57

make sure your spark plugs are fitted with resistors - ngk code generally has Z or R in the code

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 17:06

Where is best to fit ferrite

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 17:14

Just to add although power was turned on the engine was not running

GJ0KYZ · 09 May 2014, 18:57

I'm not convinced the CG knows that much about radio. Before buying or changing anything borrow a HH and listen to someone making a test call on your boat's radio with the engine on. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'background noise' was a one-off and has gone away now.

wavelength · 09 May 2014, 19:48

**** me. He is listening all it all day. If this call came through with background noise mentioned in the reply it obviously has background noise that others haven't got! So the guy on watch is going the extra mile and giving the OP an honest report of his transmission. He doesn't need to have an aerial in his back garden at home to be able to do that.
And yes I have been there and done that! Not the aerial

, the CG bit

GJ0KYZ · 09 May 2014, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

**** me. He is listening all it all day. If this call came through with background noise mentioned in the reply it obviously has background noise that others haven't got! So the guy on watch is going the extra mile and giving the OP an honest report of his transmission. He doesn't need to have an aerial in his back garden at home to be able to do that.
And yes I have been there and done that! Not the aerial

, the CG bit

I drive my car all day but I don't really know how it works. What does 'noise' mean anyway? I've heard radio checks to our local CG that are weak but reported as 'noisey'. I think a third-party check of the guy's transmissions would be beneficial and could save him money.

Wibs · 09 May 2014, 21:10

Just a thought?..but can background noise also be from 'wind' or 'waves'

A bit like when you call someone on a mobile and they are using handsfree sometimes you can hear the road noise in the background?

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 21:44

Without this getting out of hand , am I right in thinking I could be getting noise due to battery lead being very close to aerial cable etc so if adding the ferrite where is it best place and is it worth sleeving wires too,

colcreate · 09 May 2014, 22:01

.....

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 22:15

What a c o c k s response eh when I'm after genuine help

kerny · 09 May 2014, 22:19

Flipping eck there's some grumpy gits on here this week. Chill have a Beer.

Festinghouse · 09 May 2014, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcreate

Downe your troosers or a rabbite hole?

That was quite witty for you col, but yes, rather unhelpful! As for cables, i thought it was only ac not dc that caused interference?

Gramas · 09 May 2014, 22:25

Just after sensible solution Kerny hence why I've turned to this forum, will try the idea of using another VHF and mate using mine to see if Cg was right if so then need to work out why there's background noise

Festinghouse · 09 May 2014, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Flipping eck there's some grumpy gits on here this week. Chill have a Beer.

Not as grumpy as simon though!

Poly · 09 May 2014, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gramas

Just after sensible solution Kerny hence why I've turned to this forum,

you might be in the wrong place then!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gramas

What a c o c k s response eh when I'm after genuine help

well since you've asked three times in about as many hours I'm guessing someone will probably answer if they know. Although treating people like that wont help you make friends. Putting spaces between the letters doesn't make it any less offensive.