Antenna's

ollyit · 06 July 2009, 13:53

Chaps dont know a huge amount about fixed VHF's - just purchased a bargain Icom m421, got all the fittings and manual, just need an aerial/antenna (only thing missing) - can I use any or does it have to be specific? theres coax type connectors in a bag so need lead and aerial - any pointers would be great thanks in advance

Olly

jambo · 06 July 2009, 16:25

Olly I have the same rig and I use a Rib raider and it works well in West of Scot. Hope this helps.

J

ollyit · 06 July 2009, 16:32

thanks do you have an icom aerial that came with it?

jambo · 06 July 2009, 16:32

Olly I have the same rig and I use a Rib raider and it works well in West of Scot. Hope this helps.

J

jambo · 06 July 2009, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollyit

thanks do you have an icom aerial that came with it?

No sorry I chose the RR so they installed it for me when it was in for service.
J

Channel Ribs · 06 July 2009, 16:39

If you want a really good antenna then get one of these:

http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/metzmanta...ennaaerial.htm

Otherwise anything in the VHF section of you local chandlery should do the job, most come with cable and plug included.

Having said all of that, I really like these and have used them on all shapes and sizes of boat:

http://www.pacificaerials.co.nz/Mari...elAntenna.aspx

You should be able to get one for 18 quid or so, but they do require a separate cable pack.

DJL · 06 July 2009, 16:43

Olly - they don't come with an aerial - you have to buy one separately.

The VTronix RIB Raider and Whipflex are fitted to a lot of RIBs - I'm not a fan of these anymore, i've had too many break.

http://www.yachtbits.com/vtronix_aerials/

I'm using Pacific Aerials now.
http://www.pacificaerials.co.nz/

Glomex are recommended on here quite a lot too
http://www.glomex.it/

wavelength · 06 July 2009, 19:09

Quote:

I'm using Pacific Aerials now.

which one do you have, and is it from a UK supplier?

Channel Ribs · 06 July 2009, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

which one do you have, and is it from a UK supplier?

All uk chandlers have access to Pacific, very easy to buy.

Nos4r2 · 06 July 2009, 19:37

The Metz Manta as recommended by Malthouse is pretty good-I had one on my Sr4. The only drawback is that you have to have a PL259 connector (same as the one on the back of the radio) attaching the cable to it which means that salt spray gets into the connector and co-ax quite easily.
It's probably worth using a gold plated connector on it.

DJL · 06 July 2009, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

which one do you have, and is it from a UK supplier?

I'm using the SeaMaster Pro 0.45m Heliflex and 1m UltraGlass (P6106 and P6184). I got mine from MikeCC at www.allgadgets.co.uk

wavelength · 06 July 2009, 20:25

thank you

9D280 · 08 July 2009, 09:34

I have two - long story but after reading all the posts about broken raiders, I thought I'd buy a backup. so I now have a raider and a glomex 1.5m whippy thing. http://www.glomex.it/details.asp?idprod=RA112 Having said that the raider has been modified from the original design - the newer ones have the plastic of the base runs a good few inches up the antenna part, presumably to give the joint a bit better support, mine has meet the garage door on a couple of early mornings and has had the plastic thing i described above slightly modified with Sikaflex....... I can't say I've noticed a spectacular difference in reception quality between the two, even though the raider has been properly mashed.

I swap them over every couple of months just to make sure they both still work, and so far they've both survived 2 seasons

willk · 08 July 2009, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

I can't say I've noticed a spectacular difference in reception quality between the two, even though the raider has been properly mashed.

Reception may not be the issue here - how does the TX compare? - you'd have to ask the CG or a station at the limits of your range - 20 miles or so, to compare your signal/s.

bedajim · 14 July 2009, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

If you want a really good antenna then get one of these:

http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/metzmanta...ennaaerial.htm

Otherwise anything in the VHF section of you local chandlery should do the job, most come with cable and plug included.

Having said all of that, I really like these and have used them on all shapes and sizes of boat:

http://www.pacificaerials.co.nz/Mari...elAntenna.aspx

You should be able to get one for 18 quid or so, but they do require a separate cable pack.

I use one of these Pacific aerials

http://www.sussexmarine.co.uk/products/599-SVMH.php

Channel Ribs · 14 July 2009, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

I use one of these Pacific aerials

http://www.sussexmarine.co.uk/products/599-SVMH.php

Yep, thats the one. Good value, good performance and a robust build.

But you can get 'em cheaper than that.