VHF antenna

[bid2ask]

I just got a uniden solaras dsc marine vhf radio for x-mas for my 1986 18.5 regal bowrider. my question is what do you guys recommend for an antenna, and mounting location of ant.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: VHF antenna

With the exception of certain strange atmospheric phenomena, VHF primarily works by line of sight.. <br /><br />For the best range, theoreticaly, you want to use the tallest antenna you can get away with, and mount the antenna as high as possible.. <br /><br />8' fiberglass Shakespeare Centennial has 6bd of gain, and thats about the best "bang for the buck" that you'll find.. Prices generally run $40 to $50, and add $30 or so for a good stainless steel ratchet mount...<br /><br />The 3' stainless whip antennas (like a car am/fm antenna) usually only offer 3db of gain, but that might be all the antenna you need depending on how far you venture out... Usually around $40 to $50 bucks, plus a mount.. <br /><br />Also... Don't mount the antenna too close to the radio... At minimum of 4 to 5 feet between the radio and business end of antenna should be fine..

 

[Boatist]

Re: VHF antenna

I like Shakespeare 5225 8 foot 6DB gain. It is a little more money but it is one of the best antennas on the market. It comes with a good RG8X coax and will last way beyond its 5 year warranty. A stainless mount is best.<br /><br />For location try and find a spot where you can lay the antenna down and it will lie on the deck. that way it not in the way when loading or covering the boat for trailering or winter storage. For the antenna to work right it must be vertical, not leaning back or forward. If you cut your coax do not cut it less than 9 feet.<br /><br />Height is important but 1 or 2 feet is not going to give you more than an extra 1/4 mile. I Do not know your boat but if it has a hard top and you can get the base of the antenna even with or above the top great but will again make very little difference unless it is a metal top.<br /><br />Good luck and do not forget you must always monitor channel 16 so you can here a MAYDAY call from another vessel.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: VHF antenna

In my regal 1900LSR bowrider I mounted it on the A frame that holds the canopy. I found that the longer the antenna the harder it was to secure when your blasting along at 50mph so I went for a short whip. I must add that I only tear around and ski so never go beyound sight of shore in a busy boating area so range is not a problem.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: VHF antenna

In alphabetical order, Digital Antenna 529, Morad HD-156, and Shakespeare 5225-XT, are neck-n-neck as top quality marine VHF antenna that perform well. All are priced within a couple bucks of each other. Everyone seems to have their own personal preference for which of the three they prefer. Any of those three will do your radio right. All of them should be mounted securely with a standard heavy-duty stainless steel mount.<br /><br />Between those three antennas, if you where to decide based on looks alone you can’t go wrong.

 

[bid2ask]

Re: VHF antenna

i went to the local marine store and the sold me a SHAKESPEARE 5241-R 3 ft ss whip, hpefully it will serve me well. i only go in the great south bay here on long island.

 

[Stumpknocker]

Re: VHF antenna

2 feet increase in height = .25 mile increase?

 

[bid2ask]

Re: VHF antenna

as long as i can get a 5-7 mile range i'd be happy

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: VHF antenna

i have a 3 ft stainless whip as well ,,,,,,it is rated for 3 db i am looking at adding a taller ss whip piece to it or some how trying to change it to a 6db antenna ,,,,any way here is some good reading on antennas ; web page

 

[swist]

Re: VHF antenna

I had a 3' whip antenna on one of by boats and was never happy with it. Wasn't cheap either. If you boat in an area like I do, with wooded and/or even slightly hilly shores, the line-of-sight issues will really kill you with a short antenna. When you can't transmit/receive around a small island or split of land, your VHF can be useless when you most need it.