VHF Transmitting

I picked Victor up at the dinghy dock at 9:00 AM yesterday morning and headed out to the anchorage. Victor seemed very happy that the water was flat with no wind. I have the feeling that going out in a small dinghy in the bay isn’t his idea of having a good time.When I told him about my previous experience trying to secure Siempre Sabado in the rough water and wind, he seemed a bit apprehensive to say the least. Maybe he can’t swim. We arrived at the boat without any mishaps and Victor got busy checking the radio. He checked everything that I had checked, and came up with the same results. It just didn’t make sense. We had plenty of power, yet when we keyed the mike the digital number would go off and then flash and it would not transmit. Victor said he had never seen this happen before and asked if I had the manual. I did, so he read it for a while and checked a few more things but couldn’t find anything wrong. He then hooked up the emergency antenna and low and behold it transmitted on high. So the problem was in the main antenna system somewhere. To make a long story short, the problem turned out to be corrosion on an extension cable connection fitting located in the bilge. It was kind of crazy; someone had added a 14” section to the cable. I have no idea why they did this, but I removed it and cleaned the connections, reinstalled it minus the 14” section and it works great. It never ceases to amaze me how something so simple can cause so much trouble.

I took Victor back to the dock and when I asked how much I owed him he said 200 pesos. Well folks that is only around $18.00 US. I gave him 300 pesos and figure I got a hell of a deal. I do recommend him highly. His business is “Radiocomcomunicaciones” DE LA PAZ. And his phone is Nextel: 62*14*64604

When I returned to the boat I got busy repairing several small things. Steve came by to bring back my extra anchor and rode. He also brought a plate of still warm brownies that Lulu made for us. Thanks Lulu they are delicious, Mmm! Mmm! After Steve left I hauled everything out of the back lazeret and returned the 45lb CQR to its resting place at the bottom. I then placed everything else back on top, until the next time it is needed. What a hassle, but there just isn’t anywhere else to store it. I have four extra anchors aboard and could do away with one, but sure as hell if I do, I or someone else will need it. Just as I got everything finished and was admiring the orderly cockpit, Roger called out from his dinghy to say he was here to work on the refrigeration. Well that meant everything had to come out of the side lazeret to access the unit. Roger checked out the unit and found that I was correct in my assumption that I had overfilled the unit with freon the last time I added some. I’m glad that I didn’t run it that way as it could cause some serious damage. It has had a slow leak for some time now. Roger found a leak the last time he was out and repaired it, but evidently there is another one. He removed the extra freon and got it working, but could not find any other leaks. Roger is very good at what he does and comes highly recommended. He also showed pity on me and only charged me $30 for running out in his skiff and repairing the unit. I will see if I can borrow a sniffer and try to  find the leak myself. Not that I am any better, but I can go slow and take all the time in the world. I wouldn't want to pay the bill for a refrigeration man to do that. Roger checked all the fittings, so that part is covered. I asked if a copper line might have abraded and be leaking. He said that would be very rare. So I figure that, considering the boats history, that’s most likely what it will turn out to be!