VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
- dlandersson
- Admiral
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- Admiral
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
That explains a few things….. especially with some of my in-laws
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
My in-laws too. But seriously folks, the people who design the radios and feedlines hold the radiation from the set and the feedlines as low as possible. Such stray radiation is considered a loss from the intentional radiation at the antenna.
Chip V.
Chip V.
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
Pointy.. or round.. not sure what kind of foil hat I should make..
Mabey one with horns.. for onmi directional protection..?
Maybe a whole sailing tin foil outfit??
Mabey one with horns.. for onmi directional protection..?
Maybe a whole sailing tin foil outfit??
- dlandersson
- Admiral
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
Are you concerned about Aliens or the UN black helmeted police?
- vkmaynard
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
We bought this more compact 4' antenna 14+ years earlier to replace the 8' unit. It has silver plated element that will last longer. Very long range and great sound quality. Worked much better than the cheap 8' unit that came with our boat. https://shakespeare-ce.com/marine/produ ... f-antenna/
Used a ratchet rail mount on right rear corner rail which allows for folding during transport and setup. https://shakespeare-ce.com/marine/produ ... ail-mount/
Would buy again.
Victor
Used a ratchet rail mount on right rear corner rail which allows for folding during transport and setup. https://shakespeare-ce.com/marine/produ ... ail-mount/
Would buy again.
Victor
Last edited by vkmaynard on Mon Oct 18, 2021 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Engineer
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
Hi folks.. I need to replace my antenna (see pic). Will any old coax vhf antenna do? I have a Apelco vxl5500 radio in the cabin with pl259 connectors.
Thanks!
Realized I didn't post the pic.
Thanks!
Realized I didn't post the pic.
Last edited by Chumpy36 on Mon Nov 28, 2022 6:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Russ
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
This is a loaded question. Any VHF antenna will work, but there are considerations as to what type is best for you.
VHF operates on line of sight, so it is MY preference to use a sailboat antenna on top of the mast. These have lower gain, but their transmit pattern is wider to work better while the boat is healed or rocking heavily. The mast altitude provides benefits lost by gain.
Others (especially captains who don't always run with the mast up) prefer high gain deck mounted antennas.
BOTH are VHF and use PL259 connectors.
Marine-grade coax should be used.
Here is a good article explaining.
https://www.westmarine.com/west-advisor ... tenna.html
--Russ
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
Looks like a 3db mast mounted antenna is the ticket. I already have the old one mounted and the coax run so this should be pretty simple I guess. Thanks!
- Be Free
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
A 3dB antenna is recommended for mounting on a sailboat mast. Consider moving your mounting point to the top of the mast instead of the side. The mast is going to block a significant portion of your signal.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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- Engineer
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
You mean to the very top rather than on the side in the pic? Should I worry about filling the holes that are left?
Thx!
Thx!
- Be Free
- Admiral
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
You will get better reception and transmission if the antenna is at the top of the mast. Filling the old holes is a good idea. I would use aluminum rivets.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
- Wyb2
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
Where on the mast is that? If it is mounted to the side, but right near the top and most of the antenna is above the mast, I wouldn’t necessarily bother.
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Re: VHF Radio and Antenna Locations?
It’s mounted to the side near the top. New antenna will have a metal bit over the top. Worth moving?