Astro burning up?

[Coloradobawl]

I just bought 2 marine handhelds and one base unit for my truck and then read on another post on here about the Astros burning up because of it. This is the first I heard of it but there seems to be enough people having problems. My question is what are guys doing to avoid it? Are you guys just rolling with it anyways and takin the risk or is it better to just get rid of the marine radios. Also how long is it taking to burn the astro up. Thanks guys any advice will be appreciated and merry Christmas

[SHOTGUN]

The ones I hear having trouble were standing close to a truck while someone was talking on the radio. Haven't heard handhelds being a problem. Big difference in 5 watt handheld versus 25 watt mobile.

[Dale T]

What has anybody heard about over tightening the antenna and breaking the wiring inside the receiver?

[SHOTGUN]

Yes, and it usually happens when you switch antennas a lot. Like handheld to truck or handheld to long range antenna.

[Mackdog]

I was unaware of that, does it break and flat out quit working or does it dog the range?

[SECOND NATURE]

I here this all the time about the radios i have truck and handheld we use them steady in the truck and out and my 220 just failed this bear season its at least three years old i upgraded it often and change the antenna multiple times every day i run i think it failed because i found the nut loose on the antenna where it tightens in the garmin that is my experience with the marine bands and the garmin maybe i was just lucky but between us we have at least six of the units running around the radios best of luck Larry

[washingtonhunter524]

I had mine burn up. I thought it was cause we were running Cbs but I think it was righting the antenna to tight because it didn't feel the same putting it on after it a topped working. But now that I have heard that I'm scared to run my cb. My 2 year warranty was up but they sent me a new one.

[Mackdog]

Your CB won't bother an Astro at all. CB's use 025 frequencies and Astros use 150 frequencies and a CB only puts out 3 maybe 4 watts. The handheld VHF (marine band) radios, about 5 watts, should not bother them either, just don't key up with the antennas touching or close to each other (not sure of the safe distance). The big problem lies with the high powered VHF mobile radios that are in vehicles.

[Dale T]

I here this all the time about the radios i have truck and handheld we use them steady in the truck and out and my 220 just failed this bear season its at least three years old i upgraded it often and change the antenna multiple times every day i run i think it failed because i found the nut loose on the antenna where it tightens in the garmin that is my experience with the marine bands and the garmin maybe i was just lucky but between us we have at least six of the units running around the radios best of luck Larry

I've heard a couple of guys having this problem with the nut inside coming loose and braking the wiring inside the unit, and when this happened they could only get a signal on there dog for about 100ft.

[plott]

I have seen 3 quit working it was from roof mount antena and marine raido 25 watts .hand helds dont hurt them .

[Cosmo]

I think my astro has just broke on me. I have a long range and i switch it quite a bit and know i can only get around 150yds straight down the street from my house. How have you guys fixed this problem. Do I need to send back to garmin? I bought the astro the summer of 09 will they still waranty this? Thanks any info will appriciated. Just a heads up i noticed that du supply has quick connects for the astro, looks like that will be my next purchase.

[dula]

Yup, I broke my antenna connection one time. Figured it out because I could track just as far without an antenna. Had to send it back to garmin, but it was within the 1 year warranty so I got a new one for free. I have the quick connects and they work very well. I just undo the quick connects when I am using the roof mount antenna to talk on the radio and then just set it back on so it makes a connection. Seems to work for me the last 3 years anyway without burning one up.

[Steve White]

I have ignored this thread for the most part as this stuff has been gone over so many times it's not funny!

Yes, you can break the antenna connection by over tightening the antenna. It is the friction of taking it on and off that loosens the nut, and then breaks the connection.

Yes, you can possibly burn one up using a high powered radio on or near the Garmin, or murs channels. Hell some folks have even tried to use the same channels to talk on then wonder why there was a problem. CB is a different band an unlikely to cause damage. BUT, it could. If you are using a kicker, and a roof mount antenna it could happen. I blew up a MC'd's intercom once this way. Just did not like 1500 watts up close.

Most of the time though marine will not harm them unless using a roof mount antenna. It is far enough away, and low enough watts to be shielded now. But some folks are not only using the marine band illegally they are also using illegal radios for this with higher power than the marine band allows. Can't really expect a company to warranty or produce something to guard against illegal activity.

Because of the burn out issue. many folks assume that is what happened. When actually the most common problem anymore is the antenna connection. had a customer call me yesterday saying he burned his up with a marine radio. I said really? Had him wiggle the antenna connector and it was loose. There is your problem!!!!

The Garmin warranty is only 1 year. So after that you will have to pay for it. If you are real handy. Most of the time a broken connection is only a solder connection. Only needs a little heat to fix it. But you do need to take the unit apart to do so.

[SHOTGUN]

With the US version of the Garmin Astro, there are five (5) MURS* radio frequencies to work with:

151.82Mhz (ID code: 0-9)
151.88Mhz (ID code: 10-19)
151.94Mhz (ID code: 20-29)
154.57Mhz (ID code: 30-39)
154.60Mhz (ID code: 40-49)

And here is a link to the marine band channels/ frequencies. You can see how close the two are and why there may be the threat of causing damage to the astro. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

The astro is like the old beep beeps. It's receiving a low power signal, 2 watts transmitting from the collar. Then when your buddy keys the microphone on a 25 watt marine radio that transmits very close too the astro's receive. He or you could possibly damage the astro by using both at the same time.

But in most cases if your astro quit working it is because the wire under the antenna lost connection. Due to frequent antenna changing, or improper tightening of the antenna. Take a bread tie and hold each end with your thumbs and index fingers. Now twist the tie like your hands were peddling a bike. Eventually the tie will weaken and break. This is similar to what is going on inside the astro every time you change the antenna. Steve is right, these problems are well known and have been sliced and diced seven ways to sunday. The search feature would probably give enough reading material to make your eyes bleed on these topics. Good luck and good hunting.

[Buddyw]

Here is a Link to Garmin's direct Response about these two issues. There were allot of issues in the earlier model 220's, Not as many now, although it still happens once in a while.

viewtopic.php?f=90&t=23967