Best RIB VHF aerial for long range?

[PaulB2180]

I understand that vertical height is the key but RIB specific whip aerials on A frames only seem to reach to about 2m or so above sea level.

I also understand the point that longer glassfibre aerials are likely to snap.

Anyone found a solution to getting more VHF range?

[Poly]

The only effective solution is to increase the height of the base (not the length of the aerial). Are you having a specific problem or is it just forward planning? Where it the recipient (big diff talking to a CG mast high on a clifftop to talking to another rib with a h/held)?

[Mollers]

I dumped a Rib Raider for a Shakespeare 1.2m GRP. The improvement was massive and it doesn't look as if it's likely to break.

[kerny]

Metz stainless steel antenna works well for me.:thumbup:

[jambo]

I was going to resist but the hell I will.........,here we go again on this subject which is like many on the forum it's a question of personal experience and you will get many theories and all well founded. But I have to say I have no complaints about my Rib Raider over the last ten years.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by jambo

I have to say I have no complaints about my Rib Raider over the last ten years.

Have you used your VHF in the last 10 years?

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Have you used your VHF in the last 10 years?

Yes caught you as usual!! Suffice to say that's the kind of comment that has chased quite a few people away from this forum.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by jambo

Suffice to say that's the kind of comment that has chased quite a few people away from this forum.

Really? Perhaps online forums are not the best place for those completely unable to differentiate jest from jibe?

[treerat]

Originally Posted by jambo

Yes caught you as usual!! Suffice to say that's the kind of comment that has chased quite a few people away from this forum.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

Nope - it's the kind of response that is called humor - it's the snide, disrespectful and aggressive comments along with people getting the wrong end of humor that does that!!

[jambo]

Oh so that's humour I just thought it was the usual disrespectful answer I usually get from that gentleman no matter what comment or response I post in the forum over many years


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Alex Brown]

Originally Posted by PaulB2180

I understand that vertical height is the key but RIB specific whip aerials on A frames only seem to reach to about 2m or so above sea level.

I also understand the point that longer glassfibre aerials are likely to snap.

Anyone found a solution to getting more VHF range?

I had 2 x pacific glass fibre aerials on the back of my rib fixed to the sides of the a-frame - they were both 1.8m in length and over the 8 years I had the boat, neither snapped despite being out in any weather, getting lines tangled around them etc.. etc... When I bought them, the local dealer had just installed the same aerials on the local police rib and sold me nylon mounts rather than stainless mounts, which meant all the flex was at the base rather than in the aerial itself hence they lasted. They were very very good aerials for reception and transmission, much better than I ever found on the smaller rib raider aerials which don't seem to do much more than a few miles when you're up river.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFttGcdKaPo

-Alex

[PaulB2180]

Thanks. Helpful stuff (mostly!).

[kerny]

Originally Posted by PaulB2180

Thanks. Helpful stuff (mostly!).

:thumbup:

[jambo]

Originally Posted by PaulB2180

Thanks. Helpful stuff (mostly!).

Paul I apologise wholeheartedly for my drift but I honestly don't have any issues with the RR. Hope you find what you are looking for to meet you're purpose. Cheers
J


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[matt h]

Have you used your VHF in the last 10 years?

Originally Posted by jambo

Yes caught you as usual!! Suffice to say that's the kind of comment that has chased quite a few people away from this forum.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

I can see it really just was a bit of tongue in cheek humour!!

[willk]

Originally Posted by PaulB2180

I understand that vertical height is the key but RIB specific whip aerials on A frames only seem to reach to about 2m or so above sea level.

I also understand the point that longer glassfibre aerials are likely to snap.

Anyone found a solution to getting more VHF range?

I'd echo Poly's questions - are you just looking for a decent antenna or do you have specific distance/location requirements.

For general functionality - I can recommend Glomex 1.5m 3DB fiberglass antenna - I've not broken one or seen one broken - ever. I did see a forum member break the base on one... They give good service in use as well - the CG were complimenting me recently on my TX quality in a generally poor reception area.

As you say, height above water is important - but more if you're trying to contact another vessel with low antenna placement. The CG will not experience much difference. Beware fitting the longer fiberglass antennae - they may well be 6DB units and as such not overly suitable for RIB use as their radiation pattern is very flat, and the heel experienced in a RIB (and from sexy swept back fitting) will not give an even range.

[willk]

Originally Posted by willk

I'd echo Poly's questions - are you just looking for a decent antenna or do you have specific distance/location requirements.

For general functionality - I can recommend Glomex 1.5m 3DB fiberglass antenna - I've not broken one or seen one broken - ever. I did see a forum member break the base on one... They give good service in use as well - the CG were complimenting me recently on my TX quality in a generally poor reception area.

As you say, height above water is important - but more if you're trying to contact another vessel with low antenna placement. The CG will not experience much difference. Beware fitting the longer fiberglass antennae - they may well be 6DB units and as such not overly suitable for RIB use as their radiation pattern is very flat, and the heel experienced in a RIB (and from sexy swept back fitting) will not give an even range.

I use a RIB Raider from AM/FM reception - it's fairly pants.

[Erin]

I have both stainless and grp 1m Pacific aerials on the rib for VHF and AIS. Both give good clear reception and neither show any signs of fatigue. Dependent on atmospheric conditions I can receive VHF transmissions from 60 miles away (south coast from Alderney) and also have no problem getting my traffic reports through to the CG when up to 35 miles out. Sometimes the limiting factor is not so much the aerial as the quality of cabling and connectors.

[PaulB2180]

Thanks.

[Erin]

I'm down at La Rocque if you want to take a closer look. Pretty much middle of the harbour.