Which VHF Aerial?

Nickytynick · 04 May 2004, 11:12

Having searched the forums on this subject I am still undecided which VHF aerial to go for. (ICOM M601 arriving tomorrow)

It will be mounted on the A-frame (probably side - near the top).
Now, Jon at Icom tells me that the fibreglass ones give a better range than the V-tronix type whip aerials but will they stand up to the thrashing they will get on the back of a RIB?

I'd be interested to hear about your experiences with these aerials.

I would probably go for a 1.2m not a 2.4.

Thanks

Nick

Pete7 · 04 May 2004, 11:34

Nick, broken enough fibreglass ones that I don't buy them anymore and prefer the V-Troncis ones even if they don't have quite the performance.

Pete

DJL · 04 May 2004, 11:48

I have used both types of Vtronix aerial with my ICOM M401 and I am very impressed by their combined performance.

Initially I had the stainless steel whip version, which annoyingly snapped. It got replaced by the sprung version recommended for RIBs, which doesn't perform quite as well, but looks less likely to abandon ship in rough weather.

The one thing that is really handy about the Vtronix design is that you can easily change the whip and/or coil without having to rerun the coax cable. It makes carrying spares and dealing with failures at sea a lot easier.

Garygee · 04 May 2004, 13:12

I use two 1.2M fiberglass ones from a company called RW Badland.

They made aerials for sowester and a couple of other people.

I bought direct and they only cost £25 ish each.

Upto date I have used them for 12 months and do give then some stick (ask anyone who has been out with me when its rough

) and no problems.

They even did me a special with 10M of cable for the same price as the standard 5M would not have been long enough.

Web site is www.badland.co.uk but your need tio ring up and ask as Im not sure if these are on their web site.

They also apear to work better than the V Tronix RIB aerial as I have had reports that people can hear clear but not another RIB using the V Tronix RIB aerial, when we was both at the same location.

Regards Gary

Jelly · 04 May 2004, 13:16

Vtronic antennas: Shamrock chandlery did stock the replacement elements, they had a liking to break just above the clamp where the element goes into the base. Don't think about just shortening the element if this happens as it will wreck the SWR and possibly damage the radio, too much of the radio's power being reflected in to the receive circuits.
When you comission your new antenna use either a crimp PL259 or a solder PL259, the screw together dry plugs are not worth the time or money IMHO
Rgds
James

Headhunter · 04 May 2004, 13:52

Another question re ICOM DSC aerials

When fitting a DS100 (DSC Controller) to an existing M401 VHF do I need to fit an additional Aerial for Ch 70 (the DSC frequency)?

(Only one aerial is required for the M601, for both VHF & DSC.)

If so what aerial is recommended for the DS100?

John

Andre · 04 May 2004, 15:04

Nick

Try the "whip type antenna" Sea Eagle from Renair Antennae Ltd.(tel: 020 89653001) Had this one on my previous rib and was linked up to IC401. I have the same again but linked up to IC601 and it has pretty good reception when I was out testing the rib.

Andre

Jon Brooks · 04 May 2004, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headhunter

Another question re ICOM DSC aerials

When fitting a DS100 (DSC Controller) to an existing M401 VHF do I need to fit an additional Aerial for Ch 70 (the DSC frequency)?

(Only one aerial is required for the M601, for both VHF & DSC.)

If so what aerial is recommended for the DS100?

John

John

You will need a second antenna for the DS100.
A standard VHF antenna is fine for the second, nothing special needed.
The M601 like all single box DSC rajo's only needs a single antenna.

We do not recomend any make.

Regards

Rogue Wave · 04 May 2004, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

John

You will need a second antenna for the DS100.
A standard VHF antenna is fine for the second, nothing special needed.
The M601 like all single box DSC rajo's only needs a single antenna.

We do not recomend any make.

Regards

David Manning once told me that if you bolt your ariel ( I can't spell antenna) directly through the A frame then it's putting more strain on the base of the ariel. exactly where the steel bit joinsthe base.

His recomendation was to fasten the ariels via the bracket thet is supplied. I kinda thought that made sense

Jon Brooks · 04 May 2004, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

David Manning once told me that if you bolt your ariel ( I can't spell antenna) directly through the A frame then it's putting more strain on the base of the ariel. exactly where the steel bit joinsthe base.

His recomendation was to fasten the ariels via the bracket thet is supplied. I kinda thought that made sense

Rogue

I would always say use what the manufacturer supplies or recomends.
Never try to cut corners, it will only go Pete Tong!!

Regards

Hightower · 04 May 2004, 18:35

Just make sure you get one with plenty of Coaxial cable, I've had to extend my one by 4 meters.

Andy

Nickytynick · 04 May 2004, 20:26

Thanks for your input guys.

I have decided to go for a Badland PTF-3 (1.2m Fibreglass) for now.
At 25 quid (+ the dreaded) I reckon it will be worth having a little extra range, also Badland said if it breaks within a year, they'll replace it!

Nick

PS. I'll get round to posting some pics as soon as the A-frame is on.

Garygee · 05 May 2004, 13:18

Hi Nick

Should have posted before, a pic showing the aerials.

Regards Gary

Manos · 24 September 2004, 10:53

Just bringing this thread up to ask a question.
Does anyone know the address of the web site of the manufacturers for the V-Tronix aerials?

Seb · 24 September 2004, 12:30

Vtronix are @ http://www.communicationaerials.com

Manos · 24 September 2004, 12:32

Cheers

Islander · 27 September 2004, 08:38

I posted on the forum a while ago about these aerials. I have had over 20 in the past few years and all have broken at the base. I contacted the company direct and they modified the existing unit with a much more robust whip and changed the base it sits in. They then asked me to try this out for three months. It was fine and reception very good.
I winged about all the broken ones and they very kindly replaced them all with the new modified version foc. :)

stingray · 28 September 2004, 20:09

Just phoned Badland they say they don't make the PTf-3 any more ?,any more info any body.

Alex Brown · 28 September 2004, 20:40

Anyone tried Pacific Aerials? - http://pacificaerials.co.nz/

I have two on the back of Sea Drive and although they look long, the aerials sit on flexible bases which take the bouncing out so the aerials themselves don't have to bend much. I have been extremely impressed with the radio reception on them so far.

-Alex