HANDHELD RADIO

[[email protected]]

All,
I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field communications
and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
the antenna.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have worked
well for others that won't break the bank?

[Shawn]

wrote:
> All,
> I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field communications
> and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
> standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
> talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
> weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
> For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
> the antenna.
> Any suggestions?
> Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have worked
> well for others that won't break the bank?
>
Bought the same model and was similarly disappointed. My solution was
to buy an ICOM IC-A5. Much better radio.

Shawn

[BTIZ]

Hint,... it's not the antenna... it's the radio... JRC = Japan Radio Corp...

Get an ICOM

BT

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> All,
> I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field communications
> and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
> standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
> talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
> weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
> For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
> the antenna.
> Any suggestions?
> Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have worked
> well for others that won't break the bank?
>

[[email protected]]

You might want to check the solder connection beneath the BNC
connector. It involves opening up the case, but it isn't too difficult
as long as you keep track of the tiny screws and different components.
A friend of mine had the performance of his JRC take a serious
downgrade, and he opened up the case and found a split solder
connection beneath the BNC connector, with a quick re-solder all was
fixed. Shortly after I had the exact problem and solution with my JRC.
It now works well!

Mike Reyes

wrote:
> All,
> I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field
communications
> and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
> standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
> talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
> weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
> For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
> the antenna.
> Any suggestions?
> Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have
worked
> well for others that won't break the bank?

[F.L. Whiteley]

please read the following
http://www.icomamerica.com/downloads/cq-interview.pdf

"BTIZ" > wrote in message
news:ViL1e.543$ZV5.432@fed1read05...
> Hint,... it's not the antenna... it's the radio... JRC = Japan Radio
Corp...
>
> Get an ICOM
>
> BT
>
> > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> > All,
> > I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field communications
> > and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
> > standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
> > talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
> > weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
> > For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
> > the antenna.
> > Any suggestions?
> > Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have worked
> > well for others that won't break the bank?
> >
>
>

[BTIZ]

ok... I think we all knew that... but from what I read... ICOM is not JRC...
just cause ICOM is "made in Japan".. that does not make it JRC...

I did not see any affiliation to JRC in the article...

so.. whats your point?

BT


"F.L. Whiteley" > wrote in message
...
> please read the following
> http://www.icomamerica.com/downloads/cq-interview.pdf
>
> "BTIZ" > wrote in message
> news:ViL1e.543$ZV5.432@fed1read05...
>> Hint,... it's not the antenna... it's the radio... JRC = Japan Radio
> Corp...
>>
>> Get an ICOM
>>
>> BT
>>
>> > wrote in message
>> ups.com...
>> > All,
>> > I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field communications
>> > and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
>> > standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
>> > talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
>> > weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
>> > For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
>> > the antenna.
>> > Any suggestions?
>> > Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have worked
>> > well for others that won't break the bank?
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

[Vaughn]

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have worked
> well for others that won't break the bank?

Yaesu, (now called Vertex) and Icom are the "Toyota and Honda" of the
portable radio industry. You won't go far wrong with the products from either
company. I use a Vertex ProV myself. It is so tiny that I fly with it around
my neck on a light lanyard where it is always handy.

Vaughn


>

[COLIN LAMB]

Interesting to see JRC trashed, as they are a respected manufacturer. Here
is a quote from "Receivers Past & Present":

"The Japan Radio Company was established in 1915 and is one of the oldest
and largest electronics manufacturing companies in the world. J.R.C. is a
respected leader in marine radio equipment ... and avionics."

The JRC line of radio receivers are considered top of the line.
Headquarters for Vertex, Icom and JRC are all in Japan.

If the radio is not transmitting properly, I would read the manual and check
the antenna and do not assume that it is the radio because it does not say
Icom. Icom and Vertex are sold in large quantities to hams and are more
well known than JRC here in the US, but that is simply due to marketing and
not quality.

Colin N12HS

[Tim Mara]

What I'm not understanding from your message is "is the radio's speaker weak
((low volume)) or is the receiver not not receiving.....if it's the later it
can be the antenna, the typical rubber duck antenna is not high performance
but designed to be "convenient" and all handehld radios will suffer some
from this antenna type.
Generally the JHP radios ahve been very well received and highly dependable
......I sell JHP, Icom and Vertex as well as Walter Dittel handhelds.....all
ahve features and benefits and all have a following......all also, including
the JHP radios have good service and warranty...if there is any problem with
the radio I'm certain it can be replaced or repaired without question
tim
Wings & Wheels
www.wingsandwheels.com

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> All,
> I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field communications
> and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
> standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
> talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
> weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
> For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
> the antenna.
> Any suggestions?
> Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have worked
> well for others that won't break the bank?
>

[[email protected]]

Tim, it's neither. When someone uses the handheld on the ground when
I'm flying in my glider, the transmission is very weak. So much so
that I have to close all the vents and turn up the volume considerably
to hear what they are saying. The radio operates just fine; it's just
that it doesn't seem to transmit well.
I'm only guessing, but I'd put my money on the antenna as the problem.

[Eric Greenwell]

wrote:

> Tim, it's neither. When someone uses the handheld on the ground when
> I'm flying in my glider, the transmission is very weak. So much so
> that I have to close all the vents and turn up the volume considerably
> to hear what they are saying. The radio operates just fine; it's just
> that it doesn't seem to transmit well.
> I'm only guessing, but I'd put my money on the antenna as the problem.

Does it break the squelch on your glider radio? If it does, the low
volume is not due to a weak transmission, but more likely due to a weak
audio signal. Perhaps the user is holding the unit to far from their
lips, or the audio gain in the transceiver is not set properly (a
factory setting, I'm guessing, but check the manual). Can you use an
external microphone to see if it makes a difference?

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

[Tim Mara]

sounds to me like the person using the handheld radio is not close enough to
the microphone.......if you're getting the transmission then the radio is
reaching your receiver
tim

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Tim, it's neither. When someone uses the handheld on the ground when
> I'm flying in my glider, the transmission is very weak. So much so
> that I have to close all the vents and turn up the volume considerably
> to hear what they are saying. The radio operates just fine; it's just
> that it doesn't seem to transmit well.
> I'm only guessing, but I'd put my money on the antenna as the problem.
>

[F.L. Whiteley]

just checking

JRC has a pretty good track record, but one or two bad experiences can be
disappointing.

YMMV,

Frank


"BTIZ" > wrote in message
news:h3O1e.565$ZV5.57@fed1read05...
> ok... I think we all knew that... but from what I read... ICOM is not
JRC...
> just cause ICOM is "made in Japan".. that does not make it JRC...
>
> I did not see any affiliation to JRC in the article...
>
> so.. whats your point?
>
> BT
>
>
> "F.L. Whiteley" > wrote in message
> ...
> > please read the following
> > http://www.icomamerica.com/downloads/cq-interview.pdf
> >
> > "BTIZ" > wrote in message
> > news:ViL1e.543$ZV5.432@fed1read05...
> >> Hint,... it's not the antenna... it's the radio... JRC = Japan Radio
> > Corp...
> >>
> >> Get an ICOM
> >>
> >> BT
> >>
> >> > wrote in message
> >> ups.com...
> >> > All,
> >> > I have been using a JRC JHP-500 handheld radio for field
communications
> >> > and have been a bit disappointed with it's performance. It has a
> >> > standard 6" flex antenna. When I am in the air and someone tries to
> >> > talk with me using the handheld, the transmission always sounds very
> >> > weak, even if I am flying right over the top of them at the airport.
> >> > For all I know, the radio is fine and the real culprit may simply be
> >> > the antenna.
> >> > Any suggestions?
> >> > Any suggestions on other (stock) handheld transceivers that have
worked
> >> > well for others that won't break the bank?
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

[309]

wrote:
> You might want to check the solder connection beneath the BNC
> connector.

> A friend of mine had the performance of his JRC take a serious
> downgrade, and he opened up the case and found a split solder
> connection beneath the BNC connector, with a quick re-solder all was
> fixed. Shortly after I had the exact problem and solution with my
JRC.
> It now works well!
>
> Mike Reyes
>

Though it may not have been exactly the same problem (I suspect it
was), I had an lack of transmit capability with my ICOM IC-A22. This
was using both the rubber ducky and connecting to an external aircraft
antenna, so I bet it was the internal BNC connector in the handheld.

I sent it in for warranty service (under $50.00) and it came back
working great. I've even used it for Diamond Altitude and Diamond Goal
flights...in a 1-26!

Another thing to consider (though I suspect the cluprit is
"lips-too-far-from-microphone") is that "directly above" an antenna is
the "cone of silence." Remember to advise people NOT to point the
antenna at folks you're trying to talk to: make sure the antenna is at
an angle (90 degrees is best).

-Pete

[F.L. Whiteley]

"309" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> wrote:
> > You might want to check the solder connection beneath the BNC
> > connector.
>
> > A friend of mine had the performance of his JRC take a serious
> > downgrade, and he opened up the case and found a split solder
> > connection beneath the BNC connector, with a quick re-solder all was
> > fixed. Shortly after I had the exact problem and solution with my
> JRC.
> > It now works well!
> >
> > Mike Reyes
> >
>
> Though it may not have been exactly the same problem (I suspect it
> was), I had an lack of transmit capability with my ICOM IC-A22. This
> was using both the rubber ducky and connecting to an external aircraft
> antenna, so I bet it was the internal BNC connector in the handheld.
>
> I sent it in for warranty service (under $50.00) and it came back
> working great. I've even used it for Diamond Altitude and Diamond Goal
> flights...in a 1-26!
>
> Another thing to consider (though I suspect the cluprit is
> "lips-too-far-from-microphone") is that "directly above" an antenna is
> the "cone of silence." Remember to advise people NOT to point the
> antenna at folks you're trying to talk to: make sure the antenna is at
> an angle (90 degrees is best).
>
> -Pete
>
Good point. Glider antennas may also have a similar cone, or may be mounted
in such a way that it works better at a distance, or poorly while on the
ground.

Frank

[Tim Newport-Peace]

X-no-archive: yes
In article >, Tim Mara
> writes
>sounds to me like the person using the handheld radio is not close enough to
>the microphone.......if you're getting the transmission then the radio is
>reaching your receiver
>tim
>
> wrote in message
oups.com...
>> Tim, it's neither. When someone uses the handheld on the ground when
>> I'm flying in my glider, the transmission is very weak. So much so
>> that I have to close all the vents and turn up the volume considerably
>> to hear what they are saying. The radio operates just fine; it's just
>> that it doesn't seem to transmit well.
>> I'm only guessing, but I'd put my money on the antenna as the problem.
>>
>
>
The next logical step would seem to be:

Attach a RF Power Meter to the radio (using a Dummy Load) and confirm
that the RF Power is as per specification.

If this is OK:

Attach an AM (Not FM) Modulation Meter in place of the Power Meter and
confirm that the depth of Modulation is to specification.

If these test return OK results then it is probably a User Problem.

Tim Newport-Peace

"May you be cursed with a chronic anxiety about the weather."

John Burroughs (1837-1921).

[[email protected]]

JVC= Japan Victor Company, an old subsidiary of RCA - RCA-Victor
Even if you by an American radio it's probably A. Made in Japan or B. Manufactured with Japanese components.
But Icon is a good low to mid end radio, but if you're talking about a back-up radio that could be the difference of survival or not a couple dollars in your pocket sure won't do you any good when you're 8-10ft ASL on a some mountaintop!

[[email protected]]

All handholds suffer from some Faraday effect when transmitting from inside a vehicle be it a plane a car or whatever. Your best bet is splicing into your external antenna.
Another good idea is to looking into how and why different antennas are made and take a crack at it. If you're lucky enough to survive an aerial catastrophe and all you have is your back-up handheld you can greatly increase the TX distance of your handheld just by using parts of your craft to "MacGyver" a possibly lifesaving antenna.

[Casey[_2_]]

Two of us at our club have the Vertex VXA-220, and no problems so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUqve7OchwQ

[Vaughn Simon[_2_]]

On 3/15/2016 7:03 AM, Casey wrote:
> Two of us at our club have the Vertex VXA-220, and no problems so far.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUqve7OchwQ
>
Which reminds me. I have a Vertex VXA-150 that has become surplus to my
requirements. In very good condition! This one hasn't seen lots of
use, but it's light enough that I used to fly with it hanging from my
neck on a breakaway lanyard. It was always handy and never adrift or
(worse) behind a rudder pedal!

http://www.acespilotshop.com/pilot-supplies/handheld/vertex-standard-vxa-150-pro-v.htm

vaughnsimon at gmail dot com

Vaughn

[Vaughn Simon[_2_]]

A deal is pending on that radio.

[Candid Sky Productions]

On Monday, March 28, 2005 at 9:44:49 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> Tim, it's neither. When someone uses the handheld on the ground when
> I'm flying in my glider, the transmission is very weak. So much so
> that I have to close all the vents and turn up the volume considerably
> to hear what they are saying. The radio operates just fine; it's just
> that it doesn't seem to transmit well.
> I'm only guessing, but I'd put my money on the antenna as the problem.

You need to turn up the audio (modulation) on the handheld. Its either in the menu or internally on a pod. If you are not electronically inclined have someone else do it. If you were close to me I would offer in person assistance...... If its an antenna issue just try a substitute one from a friend.. Usually BNC antennas although old tech are pretty sturdy as they have been used for many years and can handle lots of abuse. And what you describe is low modulation. If it were a bad antenna you would hear lots of static on the signal. As if the ht was out of range.

Also I had a good laugh at everyone bashing JRC when in fact the company has been a respected brand for many years. As good if not better than Icom or Yaesu. I know this from experience owning a few of the HF (ham radio) transceivers they have made.

Remember you are using Amplitude Modulation for communications its not going to be FM stereo sounds.

[Paul Agnew]

I reponded to Vaughn's Vertex FS message, but was a tad too slow and someone beat me to it. It turns out he's just down the road from me and I would have treated him to lunch as part of the deal. ;-)

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL