Handheld Radio

[MikeB]

Not sure where this post fits, but tell me if I did something stupid
I have a JRC 520 handheld that I use in my Champ and it probably works better than some of the very $$$$$$ panel mount units, I had in my Cherokee. I have Slick mags with shielded harness (and no electric) so has been very quiet and clear.

The other day it quit recieving and I checked everything I could, changed batteries, etc........No luck, I think it's internal which probably means it's terminal. The 'kicker' is that I had an extra ELT antenna mounted on my Champ which I hooked the handheld to by removing the rubber 'ducky' antenna and used the BNC connector to connect the coax to the external ELT anntena.

I must say it worked great for about 3 years, had exceptional range and was very clear. Is it a possibility that I damaged my handheld by using the ELT antenna (rather than the rubber ducky)? The impedance of the ducky antenna is 50 ohms, no idea on the ELT antenna, but thought it would be OK to use considering the frequency range is 121.5 or somewhere in the usual com range that I generally use (122.9-123.0 etc.)

I'd considering buying another JRC unit as I have all the accessories (charger, headset adapter, battery power connector, etc. But I'd like to know what caused it to fail, I guess. Interested in any suggestions or ideas........not too sharp on communication equipment. Has anyone had any luck sending these units in for repair? As an afterthought I haven't tried unhooking the unit from my intercom.......I suppose that's a possibility.

Thanks.........Mike

[Ron Babos]

Mike: Try it with the ducky only and see if it works. Not sure of the ELT resistance, but it would have to be a serious difference to hurt the radio. It should not hurt the receive end of the unit, but I could be wrong as the whole thing could go open circuit if the rf side is taken out.
Ron

[MikeB]

Already tried it with just the 'ducky' and no improvement. I've always been able to pick up the EAU AWOS once I take off from our home base (about 18NM away). The last time I was in EAU everything was weak and static, almost like I didn't have any antenna at all and, as I said, that JRC handheld has been real strong. Guess I read somewhere that sending through a improper antenna (with too much resistance ???) can cause the radio to fail, but maybe it just died of old age (3 years and of course it only had a one year warranty ). Actually, when it worked, the communication was just about as good with the ducky as the external antenna. I just used the outside antenna because it was there. Probably won't do that again. I see WAG has the JRC 520 for about $260, but I might look at something else if this one comes up terminal (at least something with a longer warranty)..............any suggestions?????

[DELCOM]

Does it transmit or is the radio totally dead,no power up??If it stills powers up there are several things that can be done.

[MikeB]

It does power up and has lots of static with the squelch off, but I'm not able to recieve any transmissions. Not sure about being able to transmit as I'll have to find someone with another radio and try it.........maybe tomorrow. Everything works, changes channels, memory is still there, etc.

[DELCOM]

if it were me ,I would see if i could open it and look for a mechanical condition that was visible to the magnifieng glass that showed a seperation of the antenna feed where the bnc connector is coupled to the board.Of course this follows verifiying that the antenna that you are using is indeed working. After all it cant work if you dont have an antenna.The test of another radio transmitting close by will indeed tell you if it is capable of working, being aware that you will indeed be saturating the front end of the receiver.The question of squelch? does it quiet when squelched?

[MikeB]

Just checked it this morning with another handheld radio and ducky antenna and everything seems to work . So............need to go back to the basics and see whether the problem is in the headset adapter, headset or the intercom. When I was teaching at the local commmunity college I used to tell my students that "troubleshooting was a process of elimination starting with the simplist things first". Obviously, I forgot my own advice . By the way, it appears that most of the external antenna also have 50 ohms of resisitance or the same as the rubber duck.

[MikeB]

Delcom,
Tried the radio, bare bones, in the Champ today. When I wiggled the anntena and BNC connector I could hear the local AWOS off and on so I decided it had to be in the radio itself.

Would you believe........as you suggested: the wire from the BNC connector to the circuit board was open (unsoldered) . Wasn't much to solder on, but made the connection and works now. Pretty scary to open the thing up with all the buttons, motherboards and ribbon tapes, but I can't stand to throw anything away if I can possibly make it work (probably why I been married to the same red head for 42 years )

Thanks for the idea!!

Mike

[DELCOM]

Well...I do not post much on this board so I really wasnt happy with my short cut version of my suggestion but very glad to see it worked out for you.There was a more suitable troubleshooting procedure that you could have followed but after reading many of your posts in the past I figured that you were a get it done kind of person so I shortened it up. I do Public Saftey Communications for one of the counties here in California and deal with alot of RF stuff. Glad it worked out...

Del