Radio Discussion Community

Hi All,

I think my Midland 98 plus is toast. I was out all day yesterday with some friends and I was having trouble breaking through their auto squelch but they could all hear each other fine. Did a few test and it would appear that unless I have perfect line of sight with another radio they cant hear me and range wise, I would estimate ive got 1/4 mile max in the open.

Anyway, when I got home I got the SWR meter out and tested everything. SWR was reading fine (1.2 on UK ch20 so happy with that - we were using 16 so I doubt this would have alterend much) but after a few goes on the SWR (you know, check & check again) it sprung up in the red so it would appear I have an intermitent SWR issue. Got a mag mount out and screwed in my antenna and it was fine over & over again so it would appear its the coax (must have crushed or pinched it somewhere?).

Anyway, as my radio now has super low power out, im assuming I must have trashed the output trasistors. Is this something I will be able to see inside the rig (ie, will there be a burnt thing in there)? I took the covers off both sides and everything looks fine, no obvious nasty bits.

Also, is there any way I can check the coax without removing it from the vehicle (its a pig of a job - headlining down etc)?

Thanks in advance...

ATB, Jon.

could be the output or driver in the set and you could check the coax with a multi meter but make sure the coax is soldered at both ends with no short when you bend the coax

Hi Stampman,

Well, it looks like ive been a lucky boy and the radio is OK. Took it to my local specialist who tested it out for me on a meter, the radio is still putting out 4w and TX / RX was fine.

Stripped the car (head-lining out etc) and removed the coax and managed to break the connector on the antenna end so had another one fitted. Was working OK and then on the final test we discovered a dead short. Further inspection revealed the connector (radio end of the lead) was iffy so this was re-fitted so all should be well now. Just need to put the vehicle back together now

Anyway, I guess there is an argument here to keep the SWR meter in line especially for people who use their 4x4's off road (on the basis that the antenna could develop a fault)?

ATB, Jon.

no the argument is to keep the fitting simple the its easy to sort if you keep the meter in line then you lose power through it