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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Best place to mount a VHF antennae?

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/24/2012 : 04:49:50

All, What is the best and easiest place to mount a VHF ant? Anyone have a sucess story on the mounting. And of course, where did you put the radio for ease of use.

Capt Sam, USCG Master Near Coastal
Isle of Hope, GA. Charleston,SC. Lake Murray, SC.
Aboard Bobbin - 1982 Standard Rig-Swing Keel #2963 Dinette Model
"On a powerboat you are going somewhere....On a Sailboat you are Already There!" Capt Sam

http://my.boatus.com//memberPhotos/6315398_1_25502.jpg

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 05:41:32

My boat came with the antenna mounted at the mast head. The radio is mounted on the starboard side of the cabin slightly over the quarter berth. However, in nearly eight years of owning the boat, I've only used it a few times. That's because I keep a handheld VHF in the cockpit in a drink holder on the lifeline. I think if my boat did not have a permanently mounted radio, I would skip the hassle and just get two handheld units. One primary and one back-up.

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 07:20:11

Thanks I have a hand-held and use it but I was thinking about extended range and more power for the radio???

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Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 07:37:27

If a marine VHF consumes 300 mA in receive mode, what does that compute to in Ah? Just wondering what the impact to the battery bank is.

Edit - Never mind. .3Ah is close enough....durrr....

Edited by - Joe Diver on 01/24/2012 07:40:43

Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 08:23:15

I purchased my 25 with a deck mounted antenna and found the range I needed to communicate was insufficient. I replaced it with "squatty body" at the mast head which has considerable increase in the range. I strongly suggest a masthead mount.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 09:37:03

I have a 8' or 9' whip antenna on top of the mast. My son is a radio guy for the Air Force and this is what he recommended. It could be why I can hear Sarnia Coast Guard as if they're standing on my foredeck while I sail in Sandusky Bay over 100 miles away. I've never tested the reach of my broadcast since I'm usually less than 10 miles from a US Coast Guard Station and they can hear me just fine.

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 10:00:10

I already have a mast-mounted antennae, but if I didn't and were on the coastline, I wouldn't hessitate to mount one on the mast. Like mentioned, I'd want the best reception possible. Be sure to take the windex into consideration if you have or want one.

Speaking of windex/antennae, anyone have one of the "all-in-one" models?

Edited by - NautiC25 on 01/24/2012 10:01:02

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 11:59:48

John, Canada Coast guard has towers at Sarnia and Trenton, but repeater stations in between. you are likely hearing a repeater.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 16:28:47

I have a 3 footish masthead with the radio above the quarterberth and a Wham mic unit for the cockpit. A long whip will give fewer range problems transmitting when heeled at the masthead or rail, but I haven't had any problems. I also get Sarnia CCG and Detroit USCG loud and clear. Pearl's previous owner used a removable 3 foot whip on the sternrail. I found reception to be ok, but TX was was not acceptable for me.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 18:30:13

We have a mast head antenna and clearly receive CG from 150 miles away, not the other guy though....

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 18:52:09

VHF is line of sight, straight line propagation, (don't jump on me, I know it can go a little over its horizon with signal fall off) so antenna height is of primary importance. The CG has very high antennae, the other guy doesn't.

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 19:33:47

as a signal officer in the services I got the shop talk! So if the install is "easy" top of the mast is where to go
really easy not needing "forever" the stern works?

Edited by - Sam001 on 01/24/2012 19:34:15

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2012 : 20:20:59

If you are sailing on inland lakes (not the great lakes), a handheld VHF or a a simple rubber ducky emergency antenna laid on the shelf inside the boat and attached to the inside VHF might be sufficient. so fat, it's never failed us and it doesn't expose the VHF to a lightning strike. If you sail on big waters, mount it at the top of the mast.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 08:13:13

I hesitate to chime in on this because I am in no way an "expert" on VHF comms. Two observations though:

First, it's my understanding that signal reception is a function of how much power the sending unit is transmitting and not the receiving units. CG radios must communicate over long distances and therefore transmit at a higher power than allowed by the FCC for recreational VHF radios. Am I correct in this assumption?

Second, I have had a masthead antenna for over twenty years and it worked fine until last year when the antenna failed. I replaced the antenna and wire but am having trouble with the through-deck connecton. For some reason the new female connector on the wire doesn't match up (breals the signal) with my old through-deck fitting. I guess I have to replace that fitting as well, and maybe the wire to the radio. So, until I get this problem resolved I am day sailing only. I think the bottom line is that if you are replacing a part of the antenna system it might be wise to do the whole works at the same time.

Edited by - aeckhart on 01/25/2012 08:15:47

Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2012 : 09:53:25

and you are right "magic electrons that flow back and forth" find the path they want or don't want!

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5358 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2012 : 09:10:31

Mine is mounted on the aft railing. Apparently the masthead antenna failed some time ago. I can talk to the CG and can receive Trx from all over LI Sound. In a way I prefer NOT getting faraway reception since its usually "the Sandman calling Summer Daze" about the schoolies off Middle Ground. Who gives a crap?
So long as I an raise the CG and the 20-30 nearby boats in an emergency, it's good enuf

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2012 : 09:37:38

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">First, it's my understanding that signal reception is a function of how much power the sending unit is transmitting and not the receiving units.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Power is a factor if your antenna is high enough, but a kilowatt won't help if your antenna is at 10'. Modern receivers are extremely sensitive and selective, and a weaker signal from a high antennae can have much more range than a 25 watt signal from near deck level.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5358 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2012 : 20:11:55

Being on the downlow keeps out the riff-raff!

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2012 : 06:41:09

GREAT THOUGHT!

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2012 : 12:41:00

I'd put a whip on the aft deck with a stay on the rail. I've got this on a power boat and it works great. I'd also paint the whip.

You really only want to hear/talk to what you can hear well...

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2012 : 06:38:24

I hesitate to offer my opinion, but will in the interest of safety.

You have a mast. USE IT! A handheld is a backup, not a primary for a lot of reasons. An antenna mounted at deck level or even worse down below, yikes, gives you the transmission capacity of a stinkpotter. Poor form... Yes, I am a purist, but when stuff really does hit the fan, your having a masthead antenna may save your life or that of one of your fellow mariners.

Now, if your lake or other body of water isn't bigger than my backyard - Tampa Bay - you can probably get away with something else. Your results may vary. Just remember that radio transmissions during storms are often difficult to get thru.

sten
DPO '82 C25 - #3220 - Zephyr
'73 C&C 39 - S/V Lysistrata - St. Petersburg FL - Until the cruising kitty recovers

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2012 : 07:21:39

And when I sail on Lake Murray the hand held works OK (and pwoerboat---oh no--)

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