mounting vhf antenna upside down inside jockey console

[hyperlon]

to keep my quarter wavelength vhf antenna from being damaged I came up with the idea of mounting it inside the jockey console. Easiest way to do that and to keep connectors dry also in possible swamping started thinking to mount the antenna upside down. what do you think - does that make any sense?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by hyperlon

to keep my quarter wavelength vhf antenna from being damaged I came up with the idea of mounting it inside the jockey console. Easiest way to do that and to keep connectors dry also in possible swamping started thinking to mount the antenna upside down. what do you think - does that make any sense?

So perceived wisdom says mount your VHF antenna as high as possible, vertical & away from any obstructions. You are going to mount yours low down, inside a box, upside down. What could possibly go wrong[emoji848]?

[office888]

Originally Posted by hyperlon

to keep my quarter wavelength vhf antenna from being damaged I came up with the idea of mounting it inside the jockey console. Easiest way to do that and to keep connectors dry also in possible swamping started thinking to mount the antenna upside down. what do you think - does that make any sense?

It will function, but the performance will be bad.

[willk]

Originally Posted by hyperlon

- does that make any sense?

It makes no sense to me. In fact - I think it has to get second place for Worst Idea of the Month (and the end of the month is tomorrow!)

[jeffstevens763@g]

http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/wp-conten...stallation.pdf

all you need to know and yes bad idea

[spartacus]

Hate to think what the radio waves will be doing to your tackle too when you transmit - and I don't mean the fishing variety!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

It makes no sense to me. In fact - I think it has to get second place for Worst Idea of the Month (and the end of the month is tomorrow!)

And first place goes to...........

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

And first place goes to...........

All I can say is that it cost £7

[CJL]

RYA do that/did that on their VSR ribs.

CJL

[Chris Caton]

mounting it upside down won't make any difference, but not sure mounting inside the console is a good idea

[Pikey Dave]

It has to screw up the SWR

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

All I can say is that it cost £7

Must be a really crap idea to beat this one......

[rubberfish]

Originally Posted by hyperlon

what do you think

Don't. It won't perform well at all.

[mikew4]

Originally Posted by hyperlon

to keep my quarter wavelength vhf antenna from being damaged...

Why is it going to become damaged?

Get a good quality whip antenna with some good flex in it.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by CJL

RYA do that/did that on their VSR ribs.



CJL

With a whip style or just a wee stubby?
I guess they spend a lot of time next to mainsheets etc that can get tangled in sticky up bits, and they also need relatively short range for their comms?

[hyperlon]

ok so looks like upside down or right way up does not make so much difference, radio waves wouldn't know the difference? this is for a coach boat, history shows anything that can break will break and height is an issue as need to load on double stack trailer with a dinghy on top. Sounds like RYA came to same idea so can't be so bad for this application

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by hyperlon

ok so looks like upside down or right way up does not make so much difference, radio waves wouldn't know the difference? this is for a coach boat, history shows anything that can break will break and height is an issue as need to load on double stack trailer with a dinghy on top. Sounds like RYA came to same idea so can't be so bad for this application

You'd be better off with a handheld

[John Kennett]

I would think there are several reasons why a fixed set would be better for this application: decent loudspeaker, not having to keep batteries charged, can't lose it!

[jeffstevens763@g]

My wip antenna unscrewed so I could fit my cover so would do the same for the trailer, you could mount it up side down on the A frame to protect it if it bothers you more height , connections arnt an issue they are built for external installation, but my concern is if your that close to getting snagged on something if that's the problem I would be more worried about it grabbing something more substantial or your body

[Andy_Rs600]

If I was outfitting another coach/teaching boat I'd either go with antenna upside down under the A-frame if there was one, or as mentioned upside down inside the console. Having said that were I used to work we gave up and just went to all handhelds in the end.