VHF Antennas

[12vMan]

My 8' fiberglass Shakespeare antenna broke last trip out so I need to buy another. Has anyone had any experience with certain model Shakespeare VHF antenna products or other brands they could vouch for? I'm leaning to getting another Shakespeare, but there are so many models available. Mine worked fine, but the model label has worn off so I don't even know what it is. The new Phase III Shakespeare is out but I don't know that it would do any better than the classic 8' and there's quite a price difference. Thanks.

 

[SteveMcD]

Re: VHF Antennas

There is only a 14ish gauge bare copper wire inside. If you want to save some $$$, epoxy it.

 

[dingbat]

Re: VHF Antennas

I use Shakespeare Galaxy antennas (VHF 5225-XP and AM/FM 5235-XT ) on my boat. The classics don't hold up the beating they take being mounted on the hardtop

http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/specs.asp?menupick=galaxy

Digital makes a nice antenna as well

http://www.digitalantenna.com/vhfantennas.html

 

[12vMan]

Re: VHF Antennas

There is only a 14ish gauge bare copper wire inside. If you want to save some $$$, epoxy it.

Thanks Steve, but unfortunately it was pretty much history so I cannibalized it. It had the coax running up inside the antenna most of the way to the tip.

 

[12vMan]

Re: VHF Antennas

I use Shakespeare Galaxy antennas (VHF 5225-XP and AM/FM 5235-XT ) on my boat.

Thanks db, the 5225-XP was one that had caught my attention. The Digitals seem to run quite a bit more for some reason, but they may be more durable. Thanks a bunch for the info.

 

[12vMan]

Re: VHF Antennas

I ended up going with the Digital 529. The cost was actually a few $ less then the Shakespeare 5225 and the max. input was 350w compared to Shakes 150w. Durability seems a little better on the Digital after some research. About $137 with ins delivered to my door.
Thanks again for the input.

 

[jhebert]

Re: VHF Antennas

...anyone had any experience with ...VHF antenna products or ...brands they could vouch for?

I use a GAM Electronics SS-2 antenna. It works extremely well. It is in its sixth season of use. I give complete details in

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHFAntenna.html

 

[dingbat]

Re: VHF Antennas

the max. input was 350w compared to Shakes 150w.

Your radio only outputs 25W

 

[kahuna123]

Re: VHF Antennas

And there's no such thing as a digital. Its just a sales pitch. VHF is VHF is VHF. There is only gain, power and height.

 

[12vMan]

Re: VHF Antennas

Your radio only outputs 25W

True, but just thinking in terms of what the antenna is capable of compared to price.

 

[12vMan]

Re: VHF Antennas

And there's no such thing as a digital. Its just a sales pitch. VHF is VHF is VHF. There is only gain, power and height.

Digital is just the name of the company, just as there's no such thing as an iboat, and Shakespeare is dead the last I heard

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: VHF Antennas

I use a GAM Electronics SS-2 antenna. It works extremely well. It is in its sixth season of use. I give complete details in

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHFAntenna.html

Thank you for posting that link.

I don't have a need for VHF communication very often (I'm mostly in fresh & inland water), but do need it on some excursions (Hudson River, bays, large lakes, etc.). I bought a handheld (6 watt/GPS/DSC) but wanted to connect it to a mast antenna to get as much distance I could out of it. The information made a lot of sense. It was extremely helpful in influencing what I decided to do and use to set it up (yes... I bought a GAM). It was much appreciated!