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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

FM Antennas

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Joltnjoe
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/29/2009 : 20:58:13

I recieved a stero system for my Catalina 25. I have to install an Antenna Should I mount it on the mast?
1- How High? I can not get to high I do not want to take down the mast
2- What kind od Antenna?
3- Will the mast interfer with the signal?
4- Any other locations?

Thank You

The only thing Constant about the Wind is that it is NOT.
Smooth Sailing

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 05:19:46

I had no idea what to do with mine and laid in the aft berth. That was 2 years ago. It picks up stations 60 miles away nicely so I never mounted it

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 07:21:41

I use one of these stuck into the channel that runs under and around the starboard coaming pocket. They are available on Ebay. Works okay for local channels but may not be sufficient if you are trying to pull in distant channels.

UNIVERSAL MARINE BOAT RADIO DIPOLE WIRE AM/FM ANTENNA

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 09:02:48

I agree with Sloop. Simple, easily moved a bit for FM stations and the very least expensive model out there. As you know the AM antenna is inside the radio, this is just for FM reception. You can use the local/distance switch on the radio for better reception, and the stereo / mono sometimes helps. Don't know where you or your boat are located, which may be different, and what you want to listen to. Most folks use iPods these days anyway. Don't bother buying the model with the end of the wire that sticks to the inside of a portlight: once applied you can't move it as you can with the one Sloop suggests and you WILL need to do so for some FM stations. KISS before you go more "high tech."

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 04/30/2009 09:04:42

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 11:17:31

I installed our radio in the bulkhead over the galley. I laid the antenna on the shelf in the dumpster. no problems picking up local channels and nothing up the mast for lightning to fry. Our VHF antenna lays on the shelf inside the cabin behind the starboard settee for the same reason. Also, no additional holes in the deck for wiring. Granted, we don't have offshore reception issues.

Edited by - dmpilc on 04/30/2009 11:18:45

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 11:45:42

Keep in mind that FM is "line of sight", so I agree that cheap is usually adequate. Most home FM radios have nothing more than a short wire hanging out tje back.

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Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 15:08:17

Joltn,

If you are boating in a remote area and need the height of a mast mounted aerial, you could use your VHF antenna with a splitter.

Here is what I'm talking about:
http://www.sailgb.com/p/antenna_vhf_fm_splitter/?utm_source=froogle& utm_medium=directory& utm_content=USA& currency=USD& country=USA

If you don't need the advantages of a high antenna, I'd go with the simplest and cheapest version like those already mentioned.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 15:27:16

Joe, check out [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/362842/?icid=DOD10230464"]WestMarine[/url], look at popular accessories below.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2009 : 20:08:29

A 30" piece of wire will do just fine (it's about 1/4 wavelength). A dipole, like a 35" piece of 300 ohm flat VHF antenna wire cut down the middle will work too.

Since there's little metal on the Catalina, line of sight doesn't matter where you put the antenna. Radio waves pass through wood and fibreglass just fine. I like the look of rabbit ears. They're no better, but they look cool.

If you have a portable radio, I've found that a piece of wire connecting the ground of the radio to the ground of the boat improves reception.

All other things being equal, FM radio tuners have a figure of merit called <i>selectivity</i> that is "built in" to the design of the radio. This refers to the ability of the radio to reject stronger signals that are located nearby a weaker desired channel.

For example, we have a pop channel's transmitter about 10 miles away on 93.7 and a classical station about 50 miles away on 93.9. Radios with poor selectivity will only be able to receive the pop music if tuned to 93.3, 93.5, 93.7, 93.9 and 94.1. You will be challenged to pick up the classical station using this radio.

Some inexpensive radios have better selectivity than some more expensive radios.

Edited by - on

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