Maratrac Noise Problems

smokeeater861 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 07:25 PM

I bought a Maratrac, 144-174 split, off eBay. This radio is legit and works great. I was getting good reports for the first 2 weeks and then all of the sudden, today I announced my call sign on the local repeater (147.045+) and my friend called back and stated that my audio sounded muffled and then had some background noise that almost sounded like wind blowing past the mic. We replaced the mic and I'm still getting the same report on a different repeater. Anyone have any problems with that? I'm taking it up to a local Communications dealer to get checked out and just want a general idea of what is going on.

Also, anyone have any recommendations for the VHF Maratrac, mainly transmitting on the 2 meter ham band and receiving 144-160 area?

I have checked out all conversations on the Maratrac on Batlab and here, so please don't refer me to them.

Thank YOu for your time!

Magnetsteve · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:01 PM

I dont have a whole bunch of experience with Maratrac's, but I think I've had my fair share.... The next thing I would probably try to do is another harness, and make sure you are getting adequate power from your power source.

-Magnetsteve

zz0468 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:53 PM

I'm going out on a limb with this one, but since I run 100 watt class Motorola mobiles, you could be running into something I occasionally see. Check the antenna connector on the radio. The Maratrac has a real SO-239, not the mini-uhf like the Spectra has, but on my Spectras, if the antenna connector works its way loose (and it will), it sets up some RF feedback through the microphone (and indeed, ALL the vehicle wiring) and I get some pretty weird symptoms, "wind noise" being one of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeeater861

Also, anyone have any recommendations for the VHF Maratrac, mainly transmitting on the 2 meter ham band and receiving 144-160 area?

You need to be more specific what you're asking for.

firefive76 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:53 AM

Check your coax for splits or pinches. We have this same thing happen frequently and a lot if the time it is the coax being pinched in between the trunk lid and the body, which causes moisture to get in the line or short the coax out (L brackets on trunk.) Another thing might check is to see if moisture has gotten into the base of the antenna where it screws on the NMO mount.

smokeeater861 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnetsteve

I dont have a whole bunch of experience with Maratrac's, but I think I've had my fair share.... The next thing I would probably try to do is another harness, and make sure you are getting adequate power from your power source.

-Magnetsteve

I have it directly connect to the battery, so definitely getting adequate power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zz0468

I'm going out on a limb with this one, but since I run 100 watt class Motorola mobiles, you could be running into something I occasionally see. Check the antenna connector on the radio. The Maratrac has a real SO-239, not the mini-uhf like the Spectra has, but on my Spectras, if the antenna connector works its way loose (and it will), it sets up some RF feedback through the microphone (and indeed, ALL the vehicle wiring) and I get some pretty weird symptoms, "wind noise" being one of them.

You need to be more specific what you're asking for.

The Antenna connector on the Maratrac is loose, so I've been told from my friend that did most of the install and the programming. Are you saying for it to work it has to be way loose? I'm (hopefully) taking it up to a dealer to get it check over and the connectors on the end of my coax re-soldered due to Radio Hut heating up the coax right up from the connector and may have damaged that coax.

I am looking for "tips and tricks" with the Maratrac. i.e.: stable power level for 2 Meter operation

Thanks for the Imput all!

smokeeater861 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firefive76

Check your coax for splits or pinches. We have this same thing happen frequently and a lot if the time it is the coax being pinched in between the trunk lid and the body, which causes moisture to get in the line or short the coax out (L brackets on trunk.) Another thing might check is to see if moisture has gotten into the base of the antenna where it screws on the NMO mount.

I'll have to check that, but highly doubt that is what the case is. I do have two other antennas close (20 inches apart or so) to the 2 meter Antenna:

UHF (6 inches)--VHF (18 inches)--Low band VHF (57 inches)

My friend also brought up that the low band could be effecting the VHF antenna. Anyone?

zz0468 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeeater861

The Antenna connector on the Maratrac is loose, so I've been told from my friend that did most of the install and the programming. Are you saying for it to work it has to be way loose?

Let's start by clarifying something - the definition of "works". To me, it's working when you get good signal reports and no wind noise. So, I'm saying that in order for it to work, it has to be way TIGHT.

In order to cause problems, it doesn;t have to be that loose - just loose enough to cause problems. Confused yet? It the antenna connector is loose, fix it. End of discussion. That may or may not be the problem, but the connector has to be tight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeeater861

I'm (hopefully) taking it up to a dealer to get it check over and the connectors on the end of my coax re-soldered due to Radio Hut heating up the coax right up from the connector and may have damaged that coax.

Oh dear...

Why do you need to take it to a dealer to check the connector? Just see if it's screwed on to the radio nice and tight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeeater861

I am looking for "tips and tricks" with the Maratrac. i.e.: stable power level for 2 Meter operation

Go to Batlabs and Repeater builder.com. Those are the best on-line sources of technical information for the Maratrac. You shouldn't have to do a thing to a high band Maratrac to get it to play nice on 2 meters - That's just what they do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeeater861

My friend also brought up that the low band could be effecting the VHF antenna. Anyone?

Not likely with the symptoms you're reporting. Did that change in the two weeks that your radio worked?

Do you have a dummy load? Try running the radio into a dummy load, and talking to another nearby radio and see how it sounds. If it works good on a dummy load, but poorly on the antenna, the antenna system is the likely cause. CHECK THE CONNECTOR! They're notorious for coming loose.

smokeeater861 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zz0468

Let's start by clarifying something - the definition of "works". To me, it's working when you get good signal reports and no wind noise. So, I'm saying that in order for it to work, it has to be way TIGHT.

In order to cause problems, it doesn;t have to be that loose - just loose enough to cause problems. Confused yet? It the antenna connector is loose, fix it. End of discussion. That may or may not be the problem, but the connector has to be tight.

Oh dear...

Why do you need to take it to a dealer to check the connector? Just see if it's screwed on to the radio nice and tight.

Go to Batlabs and Repeater builder.com. Those are the best on-line sources of technical information for the Maratrac. You shouldn't have to do a thing to a high band Maratrac to get it to play nice on 2 meters - That's just what they do.

Not likely with the symptoms you're reporting. Did that change in the two weeks that your radio worked?

Do you have a dummy load? Try running the radio into a dummy load, and talking to another nearby radio and see how it sounds. If it works good on a dummy load, but poorly on the antenna, the antenna system is the likely cause. CHECK THE CONNECTOR! They're notorious for coming loose.

Ok. Miscommunication upon my part on the coax and connector. I'm talking about the PL259(UHF) connector on the end of the coax. When I bought it, I forgot to specify presoldered and they sent me the coax and NMO mount, unsoldered. I took the two mounts to Radio Hut and got the PL259 connectors soldered on and the "tech" got the coax surrounding the connector way too hot. We, my friend and I, both think this may cause a little problem, but I did inform him of the Antenna Connector on the Maratrac. Thanks for all the help ZZ, again!