Identify this RNLI Vhf antenna ariel

Heliox · 25 June 2011, 15:23

Can anyone identify this RNLI Vhf antenna on right

Failing that are there any RNLI volunteers who can tell us what is on their stations RIB?

Many thanks

oh, reason I want to know?
Want a new antenna, toss up between metz, pacific or glomex and there seems to be too much bias in personal choice/experience in searching.

So taking a 'at the coalface' approach.

martini · 25 June 2011, 20:47

I'm 99% sure it's a Comrod, probably the AV51BI.

Performance is very good but where these really shine is in the build quality, these things are pretty much indestructable.

However, you could probably buy 8-10 Glomex's for the same price

Channel Ribs can give you a price on them, also on Pacific aerials which are very good for a reasonable price

Heliox · 26 June 2011, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

I'm 99% sure it's a Comrod, probably the AV51BI.

Performance is very good but where these really shine is in the build quality, these things are pretty much indestructable.

However, you could probably buy 8-10 Glomex's for the same price

Channel Ribs can give you a price on them, also on Pacific aerials which are very good for a reasonable price

Hi think your spot on

http://www.comrod.com/getfile.php/Utvikling/AV51BI4.pdf

Anybody got a price for one?

martini · 26 June 2011, 09:53

I've got the AV60BI, a beautiful piece of engineering but probably overkill for most leisure boats.

Don't tell the mrs that though, just explain about how a vhf is such a vital piece of safety equipment and you should be good to go

Channel Ribs · 26 June 2011, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heliox

Hi think your spot on

http://www.comrod.com/getfile.php/Utvikling/AV51BI4.pdf

Anybody got a price for one?

Thanks M

We are away from the price lists today, but will PM you a price tomorrow if that is ok.

Heliox · 28 June 2011, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Don't tell the mrs that though, just explain about how a vhf is such a vital piece of safety equipment and you should be good to go

She dont even know I've got the boat yet

I'm restoring it around a friends farm, once finished (and it doesnt need much) she should be o.k as she likes boats.

In fact she asked me the other day "what boat are you thinking of getting next?"

"oh, maybe a small yacht"

So it will either be

or

when I take her out for the day

Re: pm antenna price, no prob

mike448 · 06 August 2011, 07:59

Out of curiosity, what is that thick white antenna on the starboard side of the roll bar?

Poly · 06 August 2011, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike448

Out of curiosity, what is that thick white antenna on the starboard side of the roll bar?

It looks like an active radar responder. Like a seame or echomax.

Festinghouse · 06 August 2011, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike448

Out of curiosity, what is that thick white antenna on the starboard side of the roll bar?

I would say that is an active radar reflector. ribs dont show up well on radar so a decent reflector is well worth fitting - active ones have an electrical connection to give them a boost to make the visible size of the boat bigger on radar without having a massive reflector fitted. my echomax looks like a pedal dustbin mounted on my nav frame!

Poly · 06 August 2011, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

my echomax looks like a pedal dustbin mounted on my nav frame!

yes but they now make an active one which is the same profile as the seame.

e.g. EchoMax Radar Reflectors -EchoMax Products

Sea-me Active Radar Reflector. Safety at Sea. Drastically Improves Radar Visibility. Amplifies Radar Signal. Automatic Ship Detection. Marine safety equipment and Marine electronics.

I notice they are now offering the X-band product reconditioned for £220 - that is starting to get into sensible price territory...

...just wish there was something sensible to stick on a 4m boat without an A-frame...

SPR · 07 August 2011, 22:31

most comerical shipping use S band - so X band always had limited use...hence the XS models, responds to both X and S band radar.

EchoMax Radar Reflectors -EchoMax Products

I would go for XS if i was buying one...

S.

Poly · 08 August 2011, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

most comerical shipping use S band - so X band always had limited use...hence the XS models, responds to both X and S band radar.

EchoMax Radar Reflectors -EchoMax Products

I would go for XS if i was buying one...

S.

I thought commercial shipping used both X and S band radar, but with the preference to use X band when closer to shore / busy areas and S band when off shore and "looking further away". So for most RIBs X band is probably 'good enough' - which transatlantic sailors would prefer S (or X&S). Perhaps some of our merchant shipping members will comment on the reality?

SPR · 08 August 2011, 00:41

Sorry ...i meant most ships monitor S Band more than X band i was told before since X band shows rain etc.

a commerical over 3000 GRT to carry both S & X.

http://www.echomax.co.uk/active-x-leaflet.pdf

is the flyers for Echomax , i am sure Channel Ribs can give people a good deal on these !

S.

Channel Ribs · 08 August 2011, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

is the flyers for Echomax , i am sure Channel Ribs can give people a good deal on these !

Thanks Simon

Echomax Radar Reflectors

Action Man · 08 August 2011, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

Sorry ...i meant most ships monitor S Band more than X band i was told before since X band shows rain etc.

a commerical over 3000 GRT to carry both S & X.

http://www.echomax.co.uk/active-x-leaflet.pdf

is the flyers for Echomax , i am sure Channel Ribs can give people a good deal on these !

S.

X-band radar is used as standard. the reason that the first active reflectors worked on the 3cm (X-Band) spectrum.

S-band is used for bad weather rougher seas and better target discrimination in rainy weather.