June 8th

[Booby Trapper]

[booby trapper] " Still surprised I heard you on the radio On Mon. I was about 10-15 miles north of Peel and you must have been in Douglas. I think you were onto Belfast CG. You were very clear. Any explanations from a radio guru? "

I was on to Liverpool CG to report arrival in Douglas as you say. There is a sort of valley across the island, but I guess it may just have been a freak propagation. I did get your DSC call, but as usual pushed all the wrong buttons and lost it. I assumed it was just a mistake as I don't recognise your MMSI when I see it. Must learn how to use radio!!!

yes I did try the new fangled dsc thingy. as you were the sort of last number redial in the memory. Also tried the old way but maybe I couldn't reach you. I suppose straight line distance wise it wasn't too far. maybe the signals bent over the hills. Can they do refraction?

[sahona]

Strange things sometimes happen with VHF signals, and many improbable/impossible contacts have been reported, but I don't think there are any "rules" we could learn to take advantage of. Ho Hum.
Did you ever take the handset to bits for a clean-up? Mine refused to light up on the way back from IOM, so that's another wee job on the list. Hope it's not time for another set, as I don't think I can afford another Furuno.

[Booby Trapper]

Strange things sometimes happen with VHF signals, and many improbable/impossible contacts have been reported, but I don't think there are any "rules" we could learn to take advantage of. Ho Hum.
Did you ever take the handset to bits for a clean-up? Mine refused to light up on the way back from IOM, so that's another wee job on the list. Hope it's not time for another set, as I don't think I can afford another Furuno.

yes took it to bits. It was spotless inside. gave it a blast with some contact cleaner but still getting the intermittent howl/whine on transmission. I can hear it in my earpiece so I know when it's happening. I'll probably put up with it this season and then see if I can get it looked at over the winter. The Furuno is a great set but repairs might be a expensive as one of the new cheaper sets.

[sahona]

Problem is, once you've had a good set, the cheaper ones with horrible channel selection and poor displays don't really appeal.
I couldn't see anything wrong with my handset either, so it's hit and miss as to whether it works when I get it back to the boat. Either a keypad or a rotary selector is a must for me now, so the standard horizon GX2200E should see me out if I do need to change, not exactly a giveaway though.
I could perhaps sell my newly-installed AIS receiver to dull some of the pain as AIS is part of the package.(and I have to grudgingly admit I did find it useful on that last trip)
Was hoping to get out and about in the heatwave, but the injector pump needs the anti-stall device araldited back on -don't ask....

[Booby Trapper]

Problem is, once you've had a good set, the cheaper ones with horrible channel selection and poor displays don't really appeal.
I couldn't see anything wrong with my handset either, so it's hit and miss as to whether it works when I get it back to the boat. Either a keypad or a rotary selector is a must for me now, so the standard horizon GX2200E should see me out if I do need to change, not exactly a giveaway though.
I could perhaps sell my newly-installed AIS receiver to dull some of the pain as AIS is part of the package.(and I have to grudgingly admit I did find it useful on that last trip)
Was hoping to get out and about in the heatwave, but the injector pump needs the anti-stall device araldited back on -don't ask....

I Think you should just get a new one. I know of a good home for your old handset.