VHF antennas: do they matter?

[Roost-a-Fish]

It's a rhetorical question cause I'm sure the answer is a resounding YES. My real question is, who makes the best VHF antenna. We removed an antenna from my freinds boat (the manufacturer makes both antenna and fishing poles) and replaced it with a used commercial grade antenna. Before the change, the radio had about a 3 to 4 mile line of sight range. After we replaced it we could transmit and recieve from my house (I live near Ona Beach) to the South Beach docks, clear as a bell.

My boat has one of those fishing pole antennas on it as well. I'm interested in finding a better grade antenna that will increase my range dramatically. The antenna we installed on my buddies boat has no indentifiable marks on it, or I would get that very one.

Stickfish, I'm hoping you will chime in here. Anyone else with good (or bad) experience with antennas, please chime in as well.

[StickFish]

Does an antenna matter. Lets just say your radio will not work at all without one. So the overtly obvious is out of the way.

Only use for a Shakespeare antenna that I have found so far is what BOE did with his broken on - Roy care to share?

Someone asked me about a commercial grade antenna I'd not heard of a couple weeks ago. It had some device used to match the antenna like a small board inside it. I'll be curious to see how that holds up over time.

Digital Antenna is where I would start. Their model 529 is tough and performs exceptionally well.

Next would be Comrod, they are from Europe and are very well built, but more expensive.

Finally Morad, the USCG uses those, they are very good antennas, but they are very expensive.

If you decide on a Digital, drop Lurking Out Loud a PM

[Roost-a-Fish]

Originally Posted by StickFish

Does an antenna matter. Lets just say your radio will not work at all without one. So the overtly obvious is out of the way.

Only use for a Shakespeare antenna that I have found so far is what BOE did with his broken on - Roy care to share?

Someone asked me about a commercial grade antenna I'd not heard of a couple weeks ago. It had some device used to match the antenna like a small board inside it. I'll be curious to see how that holds up over time.

Digital Antenna is where I would start. Their model 529 is tough and performs exceptionally well.

Next would be Comrod, they are from Europe and are very well built, but more expensive.

Finally Morad, the USCG uses those, they are very good antennas, but they are very expensive.

If you decide on a Digital, drop Lurking Out Loud a PM

Thanks for the reply. The Digitals look pretty decent for a fair price. I'll drop LOL a PM. Second question: With a new antenna, is there a tune-up required to match impedances? Is that a matter of trimming the antenna, or cable? Or is it a simple "plug and play" to quote a worn out Windows mantra.

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Roost-a-Fish

Thanks for the reply. The Digitals look pretty decent for a fair price. I'll drop LOL a PM. Second question: With a new antenna, is there a tune-up required to match impedances? Is that a matter of trimming the antenna, or cable? Or is it a simple "plug and play" to quote a worn out Windows mantra.

I think I called it plug and pray when it first came out.

Digital tunes their antennas as part of the assembly phase by trimming its OAL. If I happen to visit your Port of call or you live in the Portland Metro area I'd be glad to test the antenna after your install. Nice thing about the digital antennas is they come with a high quality adapter already installed - make sure you locate it attached to the antenna before you discard any of the packaging.

[Bait O' Eggs]

Originally Posted by StickFish

Only use for a Shakespeare antenna that I have found so far is what BOE did with his broken on - Roy care to share?

I took the 5 foot of antenna left after driving home in the up mode and epoxied a gaff hook on the inside, rope wrapped the handle area, and wrapped the area around the hook for reinforcement. I ended up with a lightweight, strong gaff. Easily my favorite on the boat.

A Shakespeare 5225XP at its finest

[TomB]

Does anyone know of a place to mail order a Digital Antena?

I live near Eureka, CA and the nearest dealers according to the DA web site are ~200+ miles away.

Thanks,
Tom.

[HiTekRdNek]

Originally Posted by TomB

Does anyone know of a place to mail order a Digital Antena?

I live near Eureka, CA and the nearest dealers according to the DA web site are ~200+ miles away.

Thanks,
Tom.

Get ahold of Lurking out loud on the board here. He might be able to ship to you. And still save you some money.

[havnfun2]

I run digital brand have one for VHF and another one made just for my cell phone boster.