VTronix RIB Raider Aerial Redesign?

[alexm]

Having lost the metal antenna part of my RIB Raider in some rough stuff last weekend (not an uncommon problem with these aerials it would seem!) I just bought a replacement.

It looks like the base has been redesigned completely and the antenna part looks like it might be permanently fixed in. If it is fixed in then it looks like the problem might have been acknowledged and fixed!

This presents a new problem however, in that it isn't going to be so easy to remove in order to get it under the over hanging trees on our road!

I'll get some pics up for comparison when I get home from work and get it out the packet.

[BogMonster]

Must be very recent as I bought one only about 3 months ago and it was very detachable!

[alexm]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Must be very recent as I bought one only about 3 months ago and it was very detachable!

Me too, my original one was only bought in March!

[simmons0]

Bought one a month ago and the only difference I could see was that the aerial has a thick bit of plastic around the bottom of it making it whip around less.

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

and it was very detachable!

dats a yewneek desine feeture yew nobbur. jus like dem powtayter pealer nives dat woz maid in cammerflarjed culors sow dat yew cudunt sea de fkkers wen yew dropt dem inn de bowel ov tayter pealins

thers millyons ov dem airials sleapin wiv de fishis. thay arr keepin de millyons ov toobular rayder reeflecters dat av bost ofn ther fkin brakkits cumpany

inn de cumpany bordrewms ov de werld itts corld deesined inn repeet sails stratigy

att de rissk ov upsetin orl dem nobburs wiv yammerhar hdpis ( nar onn sekund thorts fuk em) i wud saiy dat yammerhar av bin doin itt forr yeers

wiv a hdpi itts nott a kwestiun ov ifn itts blowws itts jus a kwestiun ov wen

gaRf

[alexm]

Here's the difference:

Old



New



I hope the coax connection is the same... it looks the same but the screw collar that holds the bullet connector in might be a bit deeper on the new one. Also, the nut on the base of the new one doesn't tighten right up against the base which means it might need a washer to keep it tight through the A-frame plate.

[DJL]

Originally Posted by alexm

I hope the coax connection is the same... it looks the same but the screw collar that holds the bullet connector in might be a bit deeper on the new one. Also, the nut on the base of the new one doesn't tighten right up against the base which means it might need a washer to keep it tight through the A-frame plate.

How did the swap go? Was the coax connection the same?

The metal support round the base of my whip snapped last time I was out so it looks like i'll be swapping it for the all new version.

[alexm]

Originally Posted by DJL

How did the swap go? Was the coax connection the same?

The metal support round the base of my whip snapped last time I was out so it looks like i'll be swapping it for the all new version.

I've not done it yet... I'll let you know after this weekend!

[Scrumdown]

Just seen this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VHF-aerial-for...QQcmdZViewItem

might interest somebody here? I've got one on my rib excellent recepetion around here.

[alexm]

Originally Posted by alexm

I've not done it yet... I'll let you know after this weekend!

Right... well there is good news and bad news...

Good News:

The connector is exactly the same and the new design is a straight swap for the old.




Bad News:

Although it looks all moulded it isn't. After 30 mins in the rough stuff a plastic grommit started riding up the antenna with all the waggling!!

The antenna itself still seems very firm and doesn't come out, but why on earth would they make it with a stupid push-fit plastic grommet?? I think I might write to Vtronix and ask them as an aerial specifically marketed for RIBs shouldn't start falling apart less than an hour after fitting it!

[wavelength]

hmm I have exactly the same results with mine, a blob of silicon may stop that plastic thingie rideing up- is yours transmitting & receiving ok? I seem to have a problem somewhere with mine and the radio is back on the emergency aerial on the consol at the moment. Joints look ok at radio end, I suspect its not connecting into the aerial itself correctly. When I get time I'll have a look.

[alexm]

Mine seems to be transmitting and receiving ok, although I haven't really had an opportunity to test it fully yet...

What's the issue with yours? Weak signal? Or totally dead?

[wavelength]

its fine now- the co-ax needed shoving firmly into base before tightening the finger nut thingie. Must put blob of silicon on that grommet though cos its annoying me.

it isn't going to be so easy to remove

I also need to lower the antenna on this boat to store it. I just undo the plastic nut on the base, slide the co-ax out thru the slot in the mounting bracket and then put it all back inverted and spin the plastic nut on a few threads.
The aerial looks to be an improvement on the old design but only time will tell

[alexm]

Good job I haven't drafted my letter yet...

The whole thing has snapped off at the base now!

By brother sent this via MMS so I haven't seen the damage in person yet... more details to follow!

[Colin F]

mine has done the same yesterday

[wavelength]

hmm mine is ok despite a real good hammering on some rough water training this week But of course only time will tell. Where exactly have they broken and what sort of mounting bracket have they been on?

[Biggles]

Well the next time I break or lose a V tronix aerial I won't be buying another one. This new one doesn't look like an improvement on the old one. And when I went to V Tronix for a replacement antenna I got told they are all individually matched with the base so I'd have to buy the whole lot.

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...ghlight=tronix

Seems like a good idea badly implemented.

[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

[Biggles]

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

Alex,

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

Nick.

[Biggles]

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

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