Which VHF antenna is best?
Which VHF antenna is best?
Best Marine VHF Antennas
| Best Marine VHF Antennas | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1. Shakespeare 5226-XT 8′ Galaxy Antenna | 99% |
| 2. Shakespeare 5101 Centennial White 8′ VHF Marine Antenna | 96% |
| 3. Tram 1607-HC 46-Inch VHF Marine Antenna | 93% |
| 4. Shakespeare 5104 4′ Centennial VHF Antenna | 89% |
How long is a marine VHF antenna?
A 3- to 4-foot antenna that’s 3 dB is generally recommended for boats under 24 feet. Larger vessels can opt for 12- to 18-foot, 7 to 8 dB antennas. “As a general rule, antenna height should be less than half the length of the boat,” Catoe says.
What kind of antenna do I need for a marine radio?
If it’s a lot, the receiving radio may experience a fading signal. For a powerboat under 24 feet or a sailboat, a 3 dB antenna is recommended. Usually a 6 dB antenna is recommended for boats over 24 feet and a 9 dB antenna is recommended for boats over 32 feet.
What makes a good VHF antenna?
VHF antennas are made of stainless steel or fiberglass. For maximum durability, we recommend Shakespeare Mariner Series and Galaxy antennas, which are coated with smooth polyurethane and will last five to ten years. They use stainless steel ferrules for durability and brass and copper elements for maximum efficiency.
What should I look for in a marine VHF radio?
Look for a waterproof radio or GPS rated to the IPX7 standard. Leave any touted as “water-resistant” on the shelf. The man-overboard implications of nonfloating marine electronics should be obvious. Waterproof is nice — so long as you only drop your handheld VHF or GPS in warm, clear, shallow water.
How long does a VHF antenna last?
These antennas use stainless steel ferrules, combined with brass and copper elements, to provide maximum efficiency and range. They typically last for five to ten years. Antenna height, more than anything else, determines the distance you will be able to transmit radio signals.
Does a marine radio antenna need to be grounded?
VHF antennas that come with an integrated ground plane do not need to be grounded. VHF antennas that do not have an integrated ground plane must be grounded, and their instruction manual will tell you how. Either way, you need to consult the installation instructions for the antenna that you buy.
How do I choose a marine radio?
Here are the features you can choose from at your next marine radio installation.
- Fixed or handheld options. VHF radios are available in either fixed or handheld options.
- Water damage and corrosion protection.
- Range requirements and antenna length.
- Timely weather alerts.
- Consider DSC capability.
- Benefits of GPS.
- Final thought.
What channel should I have my marine radio on?
Federal Communications Commission regulations require boaters having VHF radios to maintain a watch on either channel 9 or channel 16, whenever the radio is turned on and not communicating with another station. All non-emergency traffic should be communicated on another channel (not channels 9 or 16).
Can anyone use a VHF marine radio?
Anyone who uses a Marine VHF Radio needs a licence. If you are a sailor, powerboater, kayaker, angler or even a paddleboarder, you will most certainly need a marine radio.
Does a VHF antenna need to be grounded?
Does a VHF antenna need to be vertical?
Any angled position hinders VHF antennas from transmitting levelly across the water. Their signals travel further and are more likely to be picked up by another VHF antenna and radio by keeping them upright. Angling the antenna by just a few degrees could reduce your VHF radio’s effective range by several miles.
What is the maximum range for a VHF radio?
Marine VHF (Very High Frequency) Radio comprises the radio frequency range from 156.000 MHz to 162.025 MHz. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) labels this as the “VHF Maritime Mobile Band.”
Do I need a VHF antenna?
No matter where you live chances are you will need a VHF UHF antenna to receive all available channels. TV antennas can be designed to receive a single channel frequency or they can be designed to receive all available channel frequencies. The more channel frequency patterns the antenna is designed to receive the larger the antenna must be.
What is the best antenna for a boat?
VHF radios are constructed from stainless steel or fiberglass. Short stainless steel antennas are optimal for mounting on mastheads because they generate less windage and deliver the appropriated radiation pattern required by a heeling sea craft. Small power boats often use these antennas because of their durability.
What is an UHF/VHF amplifier?
A UHF/VHF amplifier is a device that is designed to boost the quality and clarity of both UHF and VHF signals. The amplifier helps to buffer signals so they can be easily identified and selected, while also helping to increase the stability of the signals for transmission or receipt.