VHF and AIS not transmitting.

[IguanaSwim]

My IC-M506 has ceased to transmit VHF or AIS. I no longer show up, and I see nobody else on AIS.
The display does indicate speed, course, position and time.
I’ve confirmed all breakers are closed as they should be.
Could this be a NMEA2000 connection, my Shakespeare antenna, or a connection to that? Or something else.
Am sailing into NYC…

[Dehler98AK]

Do you have an AIS antenna splitter?

Perhaps this is the problem? Does it still have some lights on indicating it has power, and is functioning correctly?

If you are receiving gps data for your position then I would say NMEA 2000 network is ok.

Can you hear anyone on the VHF? If yes, than your antenna is ok

[Montanan]

[S/V Illusion]

Do you have a VHF wattmeter/ SWR meter? If not, this is a guessing game

[Jammer]

The feedline between the antenna and the M506 is the most likely source of trouble.

You can check visually for things that aren't connected at all or obviously corroded or loose connectors. Or just replace all the ends with good crimp (or solder, if you know someone who's good at that or are yourself) connectors, and see if the problem goes away.

Otherwise you need troubleshooting instruments to figure it out. VNA, wattmeter (or SWR meter), dummy load, test connections.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Dehler98AK

Can you hear anyone on the VHF? If yes, than your antenna is ok

If only.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by Dehler98AK

Can you hear anyone on the VHF? If yes, than your antenna is ok

you can stick a peice of wire on the back of the vhf and it'll receive. the proper antenna is mostly for transmitting. so you comment is wrong.

[Dehler98AK]

Originally Posted by smac999

you can stick a peice of wire on the back of the vhf and it'll receive. the proper antenna is mostly for transmitting. so you comment is wrong.

Seems you might be wrong with that one. He can't hear anyone and it looks like an antenna problem!

[Dehler98AK]

Originally Posted by Dehler98AK

Seems you might be wrong with that one. He can't hear anyone and it looks like an antenna problem!

And actually what you said just confirms my point. If you put a piece of wire into the socket and hear something, that would indicate an antenna problem!

[pcmm]

Definitely check the connections between the antenna and the unit.(the cable) but according to the specs, that unit never transmitted AIS as its only receives AIS