VTronix RIB Raider Aerial Redesign?

[chris123]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Alex,

Seems like you have recomended an aerial for us unhappy V Tronix owners to look out.

Do you have a link to a seller ?

i

There are a number of manufacturers / suppliers of this type of aerial.

Comrod are one of the better known 'commercial spec' manufacturers (the RNLI use them):

http://www.comrod.com/getfile.php/Ut...ne_catalog.pdf

Available in the UK from:

http://www.ses-marine.com/4.html

Mounts on to the A frame with a ratchet base mount, eg:

http://www.marinemegastore.com/jump/...AR_RA116SS.htm

Incidentally Marine Mega Store also sell Pacific VHF aerials

Cheers

Chris

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Alex Brown

I am slightly curious as to why people buy these little aerials for ribs? (especially if they keep breaking)

My 1.8m Pacific whip aerials are coming upto their fifth year of enjoyment on the Pembrokeshire coast now, and they are still whipping around on the top of the a-frame just like they were on day one of installation with really good transmit and reception quality over bigger distances than the raiders.
I will admit that I thought the bases would only last a year or so, but somehow they are still fine now.

-Alex

In my case because I launch and have to go under a low bridge to get anywhere the bridge was about 3ft above the top of the Raider on the weekend. Would have to be an aerial I could easy take down if I went to anything else - but when mine falls to bits as I am sure it will, I think I'll look at something else too - its a lot of money (compared to the VHF amateur radio aerials I use which cost £14 and I have had 2 on the end of my house for 11 years now with no problems)

[chris123]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

In my case because I launch and have to go under a low bridge to get anywhere the bridge was about 3ft above the top of the Raider on the weekend. Would have to be an aerial I could easy take down if I went to anything else

With a ratchet mount, you can drop / raise the aerial in a matter of a few seconds.

Cheers

Chris

[Alex Brown]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Alex,

Seems you have the answer to us unhappy V Tronix owners that are looking for something different. Do you have a link ?

Nick.

Hello Nick,

I'm afraid I have no link available, although Pacific Aerials are here - http://www.pacificaerials.co.nz/

I got my two aerials from a local marine electronics company who mainly deal with commercial installations. I believe they have installed the aerials I have on my boat on both the local police rib, and fire brigade rib in the past.

It's important to note however that the base ratchet mount must be the flexible type, and not a stainless unit. This absorbs all the movement on the aerials since they are fibre-glass and will snap if they are subjected to the punishment a rib throws at them if they were hard fixed.

At the time, nearly 5 years ago, I bought these for around £35 each inc vat, I had the local dealer extend the wires as well so they went to the console without any plugs / sockets half way down.
I installed two aerials on the a-frame, since unlike most ribs I have a separate DSC unit. The initial idea was that these aerials would break, so I would always have a backup incase one went when it was needed most.

The significant advantage I find is that the extra height above an already high a-frame gives much better performance of vhf over larger areas.

-Alex

[Jon Brooks]

Pacific is distributed in the UK by SM Group in Plymouth.

They have a very good range of antenna they also do a great short job.
I have fitted these to a few PWC's and they work very well.
They are very flexible and make them ideal for RIB's and or PWC's.

There will always be an offset between size of whip and output.
The longer whip type antenna offer more gain so in theory better output.

Cheers