Summary
Annual maintenance
- Clean all connections between radio, antenna and RF ground. Pay particular attention to the coax outside where it joins the backstay and goes through the hull.
- Check that 12 volts is going to the radio, during a normal length transmission.
- Inspect microphone wire and Pactor wiring
- Check that the tuner is in fact tuning
- If required, Improve the RF ground plane with more Cu foil, and make sure the dynaplate is clean.
Pre-departure – at a quiet anchorage
- Re check some of the above, especially if changes have been made
- Identify the source of any radio noise by turning off every possible source – invertors, lights, solenoids, wind generator, AIS, depth sounder and all other instruments, chargers etc. Do this for each band you are using.
- Check the SWR is below a maximum of 2, ideally 1.5. A cruiser who is a ham will likely have a meter.
- Check the mike gain level if your radio allows this
- Get a signal report from Taupo Maritime Radio, GHRadio, or preferably a distant station. Ask for signal strength and an audio comment and compare with a neighbouring boat that has the reputation of a good installation.
Read Pactor/SSB installation, Problem and Installation FAQ on . Find this on sailmail.com. Search "grounds"