VHF Aerial Choice

JIY · 27 May 2008, 21:56

Hi All, I'm looking for some VHF aerial advice.

I was running the Medic RIB at the Scottish Series over the weekend, the first good test of my new RIB's radio system and I found that the reception range was poorer than I would have expected (trasmission seems to be okay).

I suspect that my VHF aerial is the culprit and would like to replace it with something that will give better reception.

Can anyone recommend anything?

Cheers.

Channel Ribs · 28 May 2008, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIY

Hi All, I'm looking for some VHF aerial advice.

I was running the Medic RIB at the Scottish Series over the weekend, the first good test of my new RIB's radio system and I found that the reception range was poorer than I would have expected (trasmission seems to be okay).

I suspect that my VHF aerial is the culprit and would like to replace it with something that will give better reception.

Can anyone recommend anything?

Cheers.

One of the Metz stainless steel jobbies would be ideal for mounting to an A frame:

http://shop.malthouse-marine.com/ind...=192&parent=48

SeaSkills · 28 May 2008, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

One of the Metz stainless steel jobbies would be ideal for mounting to an A frame:

Maybe you don't realise that "jobbies" has a rather different meaning North of the Border?? (and they very rarely come in stainless steel ... thank goodness)

Hugh Jardon · 28 May 2008, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIY

Hi All, I'm looking for some VHF aerial advice.

I was running the Medic RIB at the Scottish Series over the weekend, the first good test of my new RIB's radio system and I found that the reception range was poorer than I would have expected (trasmission seems to be okay).

I suspect that my VHF aerial is the culprit and would like to replace it with something that will give better reception.

Can anyone recommend anything?

Cheers.

i have used the white long ariels around 4-5 ft long, they give a better range as you can mount them high up but also they are quite long, they are made of fibreglass i think and work well, they dont break either which is a good thing

cheers

JIY · 28 May 2008, 14:19

Thanks guys.

Hugh, the other Medic RIB (a Redbay) had one of the long fibreglass aerials and it did seem to have significantly better reception than my short metal one, so I think I will give one of those a try.

K&S · 28 May 2008, 16:18

Hi, not sure if this helps you but might be worth saying.

We were up at Portavadie Tue until Thursday last week. Our transmision and reception was crystal clear using a vitronix rib raider aerial.

However, when returning to Holy Loch (Thursday) reception wasn't good it was as if someone had left there mic open - Coast guard did try and find out who but i suspect the problem could have been at the coastguard's end.
We didn't use our boat on Friday.
Saturday & Sunday on the Clyde there was a constant clicking on the radio which someone much further west of us questioned with the Cg - they replied that they were investigating and were aware of the problem.

Problem seemed to be on Ch 16 not sure of reception on other channels

For what its worth we seem to get better reception on our short ariel up Loch Fyne than we did with a long fiberglass one on our Hardy.

K&S · 28 May 2008, 16:22

Were disapointed we did'nt manage to get up there at the weekend had planned to go up on Sunday but got stuck Sat night at Inellan rescuing a sinking fishing boat.

I trust it was a good time looked like a good breeze for the sailors

Slomofo · 28 May 2008, 16:27

I've got one of these Glomex "jobbies" on my A-frame

http://www.glomex.it/details.asp?idprod=RA106SLSPB

Very pleased - can fold down if on a ratchet mount.....

JIY · 28 May 2008, 19:13

Thanks again guys. I had a Vtronix RIB Raider on my last RIB and it did seem to have good coverage, in spite of the small length, so it's definitely worth considering.

K&S sorry you did not make it up to Tarbert, I was looking out for your RIB, thought I had missed you, but there sure were a lot of RIBs up there this year. I suspect it was the best weather the yachties have ever had for the Scottish Series, with consistent 15-20 knot breezes, blue skies and sunshine.

Chris · 01 June 2008, 16:21

Try one of the pacific aerials, they are really good V4M and seem to tick all the boxes.

http://www.yachtbits.com/pacific_aerials/