Alternatives to Rib Raider Aerial

[whisper]

Hi, I'm not getting a good signal from my Vtronix V-Tronix RIB RAIDER VHF Aerial, I don't know if I should strip it down and check the connections or just buy another?

Is there anything better out there?

[C2 RIBS]

http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/which-v...nna-50716.html
Try this, also there are plenty of other forum notes on VHF options

[Razorbill RIBs]

As you are prob aware the RIB raider splits opinion here...... do a search.

We now use the Pacific range .....very robust and have a universal base......I use the flexible stubbies but have a long /hard pole for emergency use /if we are in a v poor area, although tbh if we can't get them with the stubby the large one can't get them either.....LOTS of dead spots were we live /work

[CJL]

We've used several of the V-Tronix Whipflex Stainless Steel Whip aerials and they are brilliant. LINK

Loads of spare cable to route around the A frame and under the deck. Once fitted on the A frame it's at a decent height and it gets outstanding reception.

Its the left hand aerial in the picture.

Chris

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by whisper

Is there anything better out there?

Anything would be better.

[mick]

Originally Posted by whisper

Hi, I'm not getting a good signal from my Vtronix V-Tronix RIB RAIDER VHF Aerial, I don't know if I should strip it down and check the connections or just buy another?

Is there anything better out there?

I fitted 2 Metz recently loads better

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Anything would be better.

Agreed, a Piece of wet string hanging from the A-frame would be a better option than a RibRaider.

Pacific are good aerials, I have the one meter whip but you can just unscrew this from the base and fit a stubby one if you wanted. Beign able to easily remove the aerials is ideal if you need to get you boat under a low doorway etc.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by CJL

We've used several of the V-Tronix Whipflex Stainless Steel Whip aerials and they are brilliant. LINK

Loads of spare cable to route around the A frame and under the deck. Once fitted on the A frame it's at a decent height and it gets outstanding reception.

Its the left hand aerial in the picture.

Chris

+1

[whisper]

Thanks for all the advice here

Is there anything I can do to test my current aerial or is it a case of checking the connections?

[woody73]

Originally Posted by whisper

Hi, I'm not getting a good signal from my Vtronix V-Tronix RIB RAIDER VHF Aerial, I don't know if I should strip it down and check the connections or just buy another?

Is there anything better out there?

Hi Alex

When I owned AJ's rib I changed the V tronix aerial when I fitted the radar reflector, I bought a glomex stainless steel rib antenna. I had to order it and if I remember rightly it was about £70 but brilliant aerial.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by whisper

Thanks for all the advice here

Is there anything I can do to test my current aerial or is it a case of checking the connections?

Seriously, don't bother.

I swapped to a Vtronix (Shakespear) 1mtr GRP whip and my vhf burst into life having been allbut silent when connected to the Rib Raider.

[woody73]

Originally Posted by whisper

Thanks for all the advice here

Is there anything I can do to test my current aerial or is it a case of checking the connections?

Check the radio end for any green corrosion and grease up if necessary. I dont think you can do much the other end as if I remember rightly its all factory connected to the V tronix

[Chris]

With regards to testing then I used a handheld when on the water to test if my radio was at fault when communicating with Maximus.

Radio checks with the CG are not a good indication of performance as their transmitters and recievers are so strong they will overcome the poorest of set ups.

One think you might want to check if memory serves me right is the connection into the aerial base on the Aframe. I think there is a fitting that spikes into the end of the aerial cable. I found I got an improvement on my old RR when I redid this.

Otherwise you need to check any connections, plugs etc to make sure there are stray threads of wire bridging the connection and effectively shorting it.

Another thing to test is does reception / transmission improve with the engine switched off, do you get any interference when you turn on nav lights or all round whites etc.

Just a process of elimination I'm afraid.

[mick]

Originally Posted by woody73

Check the radio end for any green corrosion and grease up if necessary. I dont think you can do much the other end as if I remember rightly its all factory connected to the V tronix

You can undo the connector or I could anyway and it was all green and furred up poor design

[jambo]

Originally Posted by PeterM

+1

+2

[martini]

Originally Posted by PeterM

+1

Originally Posted by jambo

+2

+3

[Chris]

Just saw this in the Vtroniks instructions I think it will apply to the rib raider as well...

Note: To check continuity, there should be a
10k ohm resistance between the cable inner
conductor and the outer sheath.

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Chris

Agreed, a Piece of wet string hanging from the A-frame would be a better option than a RibRaider.

Pacific are good aerials, I have the one meter whip but you can just unscrew this from the base and fit a stubby one if you wanted. Beign able to easily remove the aerials is ideal if you need to get you boat under a low doorway etc.

Which is why I now have a Pacific - my primary mooring now has a roof so I needed something easily removable, and going under the low bridge where I launch, there's about six inches of clearance over the A frame at high tide.

One thing you do need to bear in mind with the Pac is that you'll need to try and bond the base to the A frame otherwise when you try and unscrew the antenna, you'll usually unscrew the nut on the bottom of the mount instead. No prizes for guessing how I know that, and does anybody know what the best glue is to stick plastic to stainless steel (I might just try making a soft grippy rubber gasket of some sort, only became a problem last time out)

[thomas]

What VHF are you using?

[whisper]

I use an icom 421