VHF gone haywire

cgf10 · 03 August 2018, 00:09

I turn on the VHF - a main set Icom, the Channel is preset to 16 but then suddenly jumps to another random station, gradually the speed of channel change picks up and it constantly swaps channels. If I re-select 16 it starts all over again. Any ideas ? Anyone had this before ?

ShinyShoe · 03 August 2018, 07:48

dual / tri watch or scan mode?

cgf10 · 03 August 2018, 08:01

Thanks - Shiny - no it’s totally random switching from channel to channel - all over the place - I want to order a new set but before I do I wanted check it couldn’t be the wiring into the set that’s affecting it.

Brian · 03 August 2018, 09:11

I would look very seriously at what SS said.

Pikey Dave · 03 August 2018, 10:07

I'd speak to Icom, they are very helpful. One of the top tech guys (Sam??) is a Ribnobbur

chris123 · 03 August 2018, 12:00

Salt water ingress into either the first mic or main set, or into the external mic connector on the back of the main set? The salt shorts out the contacts on the back of the pushbutton(s).

cgf10 · 03 August 2018, 12:09

Thanks chaps. This is random, sporadic changes to the channel and the set refuses to stay on any channel, constantly hopping from one to the other, not running through a scan from top to bottom channel.If I press 16 it stays on channel for a moment then its off again leaping around the channels

chris123 · 03 August 2018, 12:10

Which model if VHF is it?

cgf10 · 03 August 2018, 12:20

iCom M323

chris123 · 03 August 2018, 12:34

Ok, so no mic connector on the back of the set.

Does it make any difference if you engage the microphone lock function (page 13 of the manual)?

Try contacting Icom, if you have no joy and are at the 'about to replace the radio, nothing to lose' point then I would open up the first mic first, then the main set and look for water ingress around the pushbutton contacts

cgf10 · 03 August 2018, 14:37

Thanks Chris - It felt like a short or earth issue, I'll try that before throwing it in the bin. Really appreciate all comments.

Pikey Dave · 03 August 2018, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgf10

Thanks Chris - It felt like a short or earth issue, I'll try that before throwing it in the bin. Really appreciate all comments.

Icom might do you a service exchange if you ring them & talk nicely.

scottu · 04 August 2018, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgf10

I turn on the VHF - a main set Icom, the Channel is preset to 16 but then suddenly jumps to another random station, gradually the speed of channel change picks up and it constantly swaps channels. If I re-select 16 it starts all over again. Any ideas ? Anyone had this before ?

I have the same radio 12 months old was switching itself on and off. Sent it Gaelforce who sent it to icom that was 2 months ago still not got a reply or repair. Apparently the returns department are very busy. Had to buy a new one same model, it’s working fine at moment but don’t expect a quick fix