Radio reception

pubber

Cadet
Joined
Jun 1, 2002
Messages
22
Do they make a special antenna for boat radios? My reception sucks and its a new boat!
 

Down South

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 7, 2001
Messages
333
Re: Radio reception

Some types of boats have regular automotive antennas. There is a special antenna made for boats that's powered from your 12v system. It's very small and can be easily mounted. I can't remember the name or brand but I'm sure if you ask at your local marine dealer that they will know exactly what you need.<br /><br />Good luck :)
 

duck-n-pond

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
124
Re: Radio reception

I don't know if you are talking about a broadcast am/fm radio or a VHF radio. More specifically for the latter, the antenna type is very important. Most vehicle antennas need whats called a 'ground plane', usually a sheet of metal such as the roof of a car, or, for vhf at least a 18"x18" peice of grounded metal [ant center mounted]. Since most boats use wood or fiberglass, antenna manufacturers make a marine 'ground-planeless' ant that can mount anywhere. Well worth the bucks as they are usually 3 to 6dB gain [higher gain=better reception]. If it is a transmitter/reciever we are talking about, get a tech to put a watt meter on it and check for reflected power [should be none]. Only takes two minutes to do. I can explain a lot better, but it is beyond the scope of this forum - check the net for antenna probagation problems.
 
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