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VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 11:37 pm
by dkirsop
I have an iCom VHF radio and a Raymarine e7d multi-function GPS unit. When my VHF transmits the GPS unit loses the satellite signal. At first I thought this might be related to the antenna placement but when I disconnect the antenna and push the transmit button the problem remains so the antenna is not the problem. The GPS signal is only lost when the radio is transmitting, there is no conflict when receiving a call. Has anyone had this problem and found a solution?
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 1:37 am
by Tree
Additional ferrites on the cables. I had this sort of problem years ago with a nasa dsc vhf, except the gps was dulling the signal for the vhf.
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 9:16 pm
by Norseman
Or voltage drop when transmitting: Not enough current left for the GPS. (lose connection or a corroded connection?)
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 10:00 pm
by dkirsop
Problem solved - sort of. I too suspected the need for a ferrite choke but the problem persisted after I installed one. I found the problem to be with an electronic device that is supposed to allow the VHF antenna to be shared with an AM/FM radio and an AIF unit. When I bypassed this unit and connected the VHF directly to the antenna the problem disappeared. Now I have to decide what to do with the AM/FM radio. I don't have AIF so that isn't a problem. Thanks for your suggestions as they were all good points.
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 9:46 am
by catalina_mike
FM is so yesterday. LOL...
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 10:08 am
by RobS
catalina_mike wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 9:46 am
FM is so yesterday. LOL...
True that but it's still "free listening" .... not much left for free these days...........
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 11:56 am
by WillieC
I was going to say something like "FM is so yesterday. LOL..." but what about AM! But I didn't want to offend Mr. K., one of my heroes at AOG in the same league of the other two yokels commenting.
Hope you get it sorted, even if it means another antenna. Myself I use a retro '60s pocket transistor radio when puttering on the boat. Or my '00s retro iPod and external speaker. No, not even bluetoothed. I consider myself a trendy Luddite.
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 1:00 pm
by dkirsop
At least it's not a rocket radio.
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 2:24 pm
by Tree
I’m clearly still young at 41. I fitted a DAB radio last year to mine.
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 2:32 pm
by WillieC
DAB. I had to look that up. I think I still have a crystal radio laying around in a cigar box somewhere. Hard to hear over the Volvo Penta.
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 5:27 pm
by Tree
WillieC wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2019 2:32 pm
DAB. I had to look that up. I think I still have a crystal radio laying around in a cigar box somewhere. Hard to hear over the Volvo Penta.
Haha I’ve had DAB in my previous and current company car and after four years of using it I couldn’t bear the drivel we have on FM here. For less than £100 it was a pretty damn good upgrade.
Re: VHF blocks GPS signal
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 9:56 pm
by Norseman
. I found the problem to be with an electronic device that is supposed to allow the VHF antenna to be shared with an AM/FM radio and an AIF unit.
That would be a splitter?
AIF, or AIS? If AIS is should be on it’s antenna: Never heard of a 3 way splitter: VHF, AM/FM and AIS.
I got a splitter as well, but the GPS is not involved, affected or connected: Separate antenna and power source.
