Why is it that my radio in my boat will not tune into channels like my truck radio?:dono
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Why is it that my radio in my boat will not tune into channels like my truck radio?:dono
Does it have an antenna?
Probally needs an antenna.
It does have a antenna.
Mine has pre-sets like in my truck but once I turn off the Aux switch they get erased and I have to start all over when I go out next time. I never thought I would give two hoots for having a radio in the boat but it has been a very nice surprise to have on-board. I actually enjoy listening to a ball game on Saturday afternoons or a little music when fishing alone and the action is slow.
I have the small rubber antenna that is about a foot long. I think I will change it to a different antenna and see what happens.
make sure the antenna is grounded.........
Thanks....I did not think of that.
Your radio should have two power wires. One red, and the other orange or yellow. You run the red one to a source that is controlled by the switch so the radio goes off when you shut the switch off. You run the second to a source that is always hot so your presets don't get erased. Yours are run to the same point, or the second isn't hooked up.
yep that is it
Ground wasn't the problem.
Mind you, the radio can drain the battery if you're using the "memory" wire directly from the battery vs through a switch.
If it is through the switch and the switch is off, how does it keep it's memory?
It doesn't. If you're connected to shore power/onboard charger when not in the water then battery drain won't be a problem(like over a week). There are some marine radios out there that will keep memory even after disconnecting the radio.
If your boat has a fuse box area, there should be a connector that is always hot. If not, you'll have to connect into one of your postive wires in your boat,
Get a 12V test light and connect the clip to the cranking battery negative or the frame of the radio and hunt around for a red wire that lights the light while your ignition and master switches are off. Somebody might be able to help you from a picture of the box too.
Somebody didn't believe in color-coding wires. One of the open lugs might be what you need, but no way to know without testing or tracing wires.
This thread got off track fast:dono
Have you tried a marine antenna? I believe the way they get grounded is different and should make a difference especially if you have a fiberglass boat.
My boat is aluminum and I think I will try a new Shakespeare.
Thanks.
Some folks call it hijacking a thread but I like to think of it as multitasking.Rofl
Getting back on topic, I have the same two foot rubber antenna that you have and it only has one thick wire that actually has a plug on the end of it for the radio and it works fine.
Good luck and I hope everything works out.