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Thread: Codan antenna U/S?

  1. #1
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    Codan antenna U/S?

    I got the cables sorted and installed the 'new-to-me' 9323 and 9350 in place of my 8525 unit. I attempted to get a signal check from VKS-737 Alice Springs base last night, could not make myself heard at all. Once the skeds were finished I attempted a couple of beacon tests to bases closer to my location; no revertives at all. Obviously something is not right.
    Only the figreglass whip came with the unit. I put an ohmmeter across the whip this morning and there is no continuity from the base to the metal tip. Am I correct in assuming there should be continuity between the tip and the base? So the whip is cactus??

  2. #2
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    My fibreglass antenna also measures o/c between base and metal tip so I don't think this is indicative of anything in particular.

    When I installed mine I recall 'telling' the unit that it had a 9350 so that it would know to communicate with it. Prior to transmitting (on first selecting the channel) I hit the tune button and can hear the antennas internal 'innards' moving. Changing from (VKS) Ch.2 to Ch.1 and back and re tuning does the same thing. A brief message comes up on the display to say that it has tuned correctly.
    You could connect the old antenna on the correct tap instead of the auto tune antenna to see if you have an aerial or transmitter problem.

    Deano
    66 SIIA SWB .......73 SIII LWB diesel wgn
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  3. #3
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    Thanks Deano. I wonder if there is a problem with the tuner mechanism, there's no noise from the unit. I've remounted the tapped antenna and will give it a try when the weather clears a bit to ensure the transmitter is ok (no complaints here about the long-awaited rain). I'll also have a read up about what you say about telling the radio it has the 9350; it was used by the previous (original) owner as a paired set but it has sat unused for several years.
    I thought I might be able to use the 9350 antenna with my 8525 radio as I already had it in the vehicle but when I hooked it up and hit 'tune' it gave me the sad tones so I just went ahead and swapped the whole setup.
    When I was trying the new setup last night, upon tuning at any frequency setting the radio would immediately give the two high-pitched beeps but there was no sign of actual tuning (i.e. no mechanical sounds) from the tuner.
    Are you supposed to hold the tune button until it tunes, or just a momentary press? If I hold the button on, I get repeated high pitched 'beep-beep' for several seconds and then the sad beep and a 'tuning aborted' message on the display.

  4. #4
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    Sounds to me like the transceiver isn't talking to the 9350 properly (as opposed to no RF). If I go to transmit on mine without momentarily pressing the tune button it makes a sort of 'you idiot' noise and then proceeds to tune. When tuned it makes an 'all good' sound and a message momentarily flashes up on the display to advise tuning was successful. Tx is then OK.
    The transmitter is probably smart enough to know if it has a serious mismatch ie. not tuned so won't transmit till tuned. When tuning it only uses very low power. I assume you're receiving OK which tells me your antenna continuity is probably OK.

    Deano
    66 SIIA SWB .......73 SIII LWB diesel wgn
    86 RR 'classic'......99 Range Rover P38a
    94 Defender 110..95 Defender 130 Ute
    96 D1 300TDi.......99 D2 TD5 (current)
    04 D2a Td5..........02 Disco 2 V8

  5. #5
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    Yes it is receiving signals ok, also I just called in to Adelaide with the tapped whip on ch2 and got 5/5 strength and readability reported by the operator there- that is good news at is confirms the transceiver is functioning properly, however I bought this setup specifically for the convenience of the auto-tuning antenna! Haven't yet read through the handbook to see what I need to do to make sure the transmitter is communicating with the tuner.

    I should add, I'm not 100% confident I have correctly terminated the antenna control cable; the page in the handbook that Ron kindly linked to in my other thread shows transceiver pins '12,13' connected to antenna pin 'A' and pins '14, 15' to B. I took this to be an either / or arrangement and connected just one of each, i.e. just pin 12 to A and pin 14 to B. I'm wondering now if I should have inserted a bridge in the plug to connect BOTH 12 AND 13 to A, etc.

  6. #6
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    I'll take a picture of mine tomorrow and post up here if you like or drop in and have a look/swap things around if you'd prefer. I'll be home all day. Give me a ring on 0403341979 if you want to 'play'.

    Deano
    66 SIIA SWB .......73 SIII LWB diesel wgn
    86 RR 'classic'......99 Range Rover P38a
    94 Defender 110..95 Defender 130 Ute
    96 D1 300TDi.......99 D2 TD5 (current)
    04 D2a Td5..........02 Disco 2 V8

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by DeanoH View Post
    I'll take a picture of mine tomorrow and post up here if you like or drop in and have a look/swap things around if you'd prefer. I'll be home all day. Give me a ring on 0403341979 if you want to 'play'.

    Deano
    That sounds great Deano, I might be able to come over tomorrow afternoon, will give you a call if it looks do-able.

  8. #8
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    No worries POD, I'll put the billy on Let's hope the weather's a bit better.

    Deano
    66 SIIA SWB .......73 SIII LWB diesel wgn
    86 RR 'classic'......99 Range Rover P38a
    94 Defender 110..95 Defender 130 Ute
    96 D1 300TDi.......99 D2 TD5 (current)
    04 D2a Td5..........02 Disco 2 V8

  9. #9
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    All operational now, big thanks to DeanoH for his time and knowledgeable assistance.

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