IC 6023 NO SIGNAL

[Amaroc]

Hey guys

Well got a little progress today. Phoned ICOM guy told me before it will scan the microphone has to be on the holder which must be ground. Did all that an hell it is scanning finally BUT still no sound. Did a test with a truck driver and ZIP So I guess ring up ICOM again tomorrow and ask. At least i am getting help from them more than I am from reseller

[Phantom]

Did the trickier hear you?
Did you hear the truckie?
What channel were you using during the test?

[Amaroc]

Did the trickier hear you?
Did you hear the truckie?
What channel were you using during the test?

Hey no we did not hear each other at all

I think it was channel 13

[Phantom]

If I was a betting man, I would check the settings on your radio aswell as check the antenna. Weird that either one of you could not hear each other

[Amaroc]

If I was a betting man, I would check the settings on your radio aswell as check the antenna. Weird that either one of you could not hear each other

I agree but What settings do I check for ??

Reading on other Forums these units are difficult to get your head a around unless you are an experienced CB users. The manual is like the 6023 is whoaful .... very vague. Half of the things you can do on this unit are not even in the manual so one has no hope unless talking to good folks like yourself.

Will see tomorrow when I phone ICOM tech support

[Phantom]

As mentioned earlier, check for CTCSS/DCS is off, check squelch settings not too "tight", check antenna connection, use the same frequency when conducting a test.

Have you listened to a scanner to hear your transmissions?
Any local repeaters in your area to try it out on....

[Amaroc]

Have an update I did manage how to figure out how to get into the setup and have taken the squelch to about 80, ) was just plain noise at 0. Fiddled around with it but still nothing coming thru....... Phoned a guy up from TJM in Hornsby who sells ICOM told him the problem, first thing he asked me was, where is the coax cable from the aerial, told him it was curled up under the dash, then plugged into radio, wherein he said that is your problem. That coax cable is your aerial it must be spread out as much as possible throughout the car it is not just about the bit at the front he said. So going back to auto electrician tomorrow so they can redo. Did one thing though found a hand held and tested it, had to be right in the car it sort of worked, I could here the handheld but when going from my CB to the handheld nothing.

Still a great improvement from the other day, yes the supreme optimist

Thanks all again everyone one of you has helped me get to this point

[Amaroc]

I think we got lift off boys

[Radio_Australia]

I can't say I have heard of the "lay out" the coax trick , I would of though that would make no difference to an external antenna .

So you got it working ok ?

[Amaroc]

Partially working I got underneath the the dash and unwound the cable, sure enough signals coming in much better. Also talking to our Transport manager at work he also confirmed that in all the trucks the aerial cable is taken thru the fire wall around the doors up through the roof down the other side then into the unit.

Tomorrow will be the test but then have to sort out why only one sided conversation..... baby steps

[Phantom]

I would be banking on a poor termination of the coax.
Before you go, check the coax and termination, maybe it's not grounded properly to the radio

[Radio_Australia]

That's what I am thinking , a bad coax connection on the plug

[Phantom]

Take a positive out of this experience, at least you are learning more about radios and what is required to make them work. It's not just as simple as plugging something in and talking into a mic... As well as learning more about the radio itself.

Hope you are able to get it working later today....

[youngn]

Phoned a guy up from TJM in Hornsby who sells ICOM told him the problem, first thing he asked me was, where is the coax cable from the aerial, told him it was curled up under the dash, then plugged into radio, wherein he said that is your problem. That coax cable is your aerial it must be spread out as much as possible throughout the car it is not just about the bit at the front he said. So going back to auto electrician tomorrow so they can redo.

Hmm!

Coax is not an aerial, in fact it is designed to do the exact opposite job and contain as much of the signal as possible...

Odd advice lol

[Comint]

Did one thing though found a hand held and tested it, had to be right in the car it sort of worked, I could here the handheld but when going from my CB to the handheld nothing.

I'm wondering if the coax is shorted ie, the inner conductor is accidently connected to the braid.

--
Comint

[Amaroc]

UPDATE

Well guys it all seems to be working fine now. BUT in saying that whilst unraveling the cable did improve it marginally who the hell knows why after reading your comments, you will never guess the real reason for the problem from the start........... after I had it installed took car to VW to have a modification done on it. They obviously took the antennas off to do the work........when finished they put the 3G antennae on instead, so bloody wonder nothing was happening. As the antennas look identical I did not even think to check either despite a couple of you saying check it.

There you a go a lesson learnt and yes learning bloody fast. Now just got to figure out best squelch level even though I am at 120 still a lot of noise.

Once again THANK YOU ALL you are tremendous to a newbie

Tez