Radio antennae

stevedonna · 12 January 2014, 16:07

So we drove down from the hills in derbyshire to join at least 15 other boats no doubt with collectively more years ribbing
experience than the total age of the four of us that cramped onto our 4.8 m ribcraft .

I meant to tap in on all that experience whilst down there to ask several dozen questions . Got there towed Chris back to shore (ouch) and then set off . Got such a buzz from my first proper outing that I completely forgot to ask any questions at all .

My main priority now is to get the fixed radio I have bought fitted. Looking at some io the other ribs I am guessing that I will need an antennae . I have an a frame on the back , does anyone out there have any suggestions on what type is best .

Festinghouse · 12 January 2014, 16:19

id say go for a decent fibreglass one rather than the rib raider type. ive had both and the fibreglass type are much better, but due to the extra weight of them, make sure you go for a stainless mount rather than a nylon one - they break!

stevedonna · 12 January 2014, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

id say go for a decent fibreglass one rather than the rib raider type. ive had both and the fibreglass type are much better, but due to the extra weight of them, make sure you go for a stainless mount rather than a nylon one - they break!

Cheers . Would you mount it to the A frame ? Is there an optimum length assuming that I mount to the top of the A frame

CJL · 12 January 2014, 16:33

Similarly we've never bothered with the Ribraider type aerials but we've had bad experiences with fibreglass shattering on us.

If you thing the boat will be working hard for the type of trips you are making then I would consider the single wire ones, primarily used on yacht masts.

We've used these for years and NEVER had one break on us. The extra height is a bonus when it comes to range as well.

We have kept a smaller raider one on board if the main one breaks as well. Both are mounted through the plate on top of the A frame with the cable routed down inside one of the tubes.

Chris

Ian M · 12 January 2014, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJL

Similarly we've never bothered with the Ribraider type aerials but we've had bad experiences with fibreglass shattering on us.

If you thing the boat will be working hard for the type of trips you are making then I would consider the single wire ones, primarily used on yacht masts.

We've used these for years and NEVER had one break on us. The extra height is a bonus when it comes to range as well.

We have kept a smaller raider one on board if the main one breaks as well. Both are mounted through the plate on top of the A frame with the cable routed down inside one of the tubes.

Chris

+1

Had those on both of my RIBs and never had a problem with them.

Copinsay · 12 January 2014, 17:06

Very highly recommended and a really helpful chap to buy from at a good price:

Honestly, would not bother with anything else; difference when I replaced my Rib Raider was incredible. I also use one of these for my AIS base station too - again very good.

Salty John: Metz Manta Marine VHF Antenna plus Metz AIS antenna and other fine boat and yacht chandlery products.

HughN · 12 January 2014, 17:16

[pedantry] The plural of antenna is 'antennas' when it comes to things transmitting/receiving radio: the things on the heads of insects are 'antennae' (or 'antennæ' should you wish)[/pedantry].

tonymac · 12 January 2014, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by HughN

[pedantry] The plural of antenna is 'antennas' when it comes to things transmitting/receiving radio: the things on the heads of insects are 'antennae' (or 'antennæ' should you wish)[/pedantry].

Oh right ...

Thanks a lot for that .........

Something I've always wanted to know ...............

stevedonna · 12 January 2014, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by HughN

[pedantry] The plural of antenna is 'antennas' when it comes to things transmitting/receiving radio: the things on the heads of insects are 'antennae' (or 'antennæ' should you wish)[/pedantry].

I have been with my wife 25 years and I have yet to find a word she can't spell? when typing my question I as always shouted up ' how do you spell Antenna ' Now I know she did not spell it wrong but you have come as close as anyone I have known to catching her out .

If I ever meet you I will buy you a pint

stevedonna · 12 January 2014, 17:34

my next question was where am I best getting one from and you have collectively given me the product and where from so cheers
i will give salty john a ring in morning .

Barrowboy · 12 January 2014, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedonna

So we drove down from the hills in derbyshire .

Whereabouts in Derbyshire?

Trevor G · 12 January 2014, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copinsay

Very highly recommended and a really helpful chap to buy from at a good price:
Honestly, would not bother with anything else; difference when I replaced my Rib Raider was incredible. I also use one of these for my AIS base station too - again very good.
Salty John: Metz Manta Marine VHF Antenna plus Metz AIS antenna and other fine boat and yacht chandlery products.

+ 1 for the Metz Manta.
The only caveat I'd add is that a stainless whip on the A-frame will make the overall height higher - you may need to take the antenna wire (the long stainless bit, not the cable going to the radio) out of it's base if you keep the rib in a garage. Having said that, it is easy to remove, and it's what we used on Baby Blue for the Round Ireland cruise last year and it survived the beating it got whilst many of the RIb Raider antennas did not.
Trev

PS - As you fitted 4 people on your Ribcraft I regret not not taking the Sea Rider and making the boys sit on the tubes like you did!

stevedonna · 12 January 2014, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

Whereabouts in Derbyshire?

Belper if your not from derbyshire fairly near Matlock

Johnscubanut · 12 January 2014, 18:45

Force 4 chandlery are pretty good for prices & delivery. Had 2 fibreglass ones that snapped on previous boats & present boat, just use stainless whip aerials now!

tonymac · 12 January 2014, 18:57

Just bought this ...

MARINE VHF Radio Whip Antenna with cable / Masthead VHF antenna NEW | eBay

stevedonna · 12 January 2014, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

Just bought this ... MARINE VHF Radio Whip Antenna with cable / Masthead VHF antenna NEW | eBay

What have you used in the past and what made you go for this

Copinsay · 12 January 2014, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

Just bought this ...

MARINE VHF Radio Whip Antenna with cable / Masthead VHF antenna NEW | eBay

Those work pretty well too (I have one on the same A frame as the Metz for AIS) - if you want a cheaper option to the Metz I'd go for that... just a bit longer than the Metz which may not be an issue.

I just think the Metz is worth the extra and Salty John has a good range of supporting connectors and tape - and I just like supporting him too :o)

stevedonna · 12 January 2014, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copinsay

Those work pretty well too (I have one on the same A frame as the Metz for AIS) - if you want a cheaper option to the Metz I'd go for that... just a bit longer than the Metz which may not be an issue. I just think the Metz is worth the extra and Salty John has a good range of supporting connectors and tape - and I just like supporting him too :o)

It's not always just the price . So I think I might go with salty john .
Thanks

tonymac · 12 January 2014, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedonna

What have you used in the past and what made you go for this

I've had three raider ones - two broke out on the water

and the third was my fault - forgot to take it down!
I've also had an original ss whip which lasted twice as long as the raiders - before I did that one in too!
I considered the fiberglass but just thought the whip was originally so good that I would return to it. This one is quite long as well.

treerat · 12 January 2014, 19:24

I'm really restricted in height, are the whips easy to take on an off or would I be better with something like this - MARINE VHF Radio Stubby Antenna for RIB / FISHING BOAT or Emergency. NEW | eBay

The other option would be to mount on the A from vertical so that the top is at the correct height but earlier conversations seem to lead towards this not being best practice as the A frame will mask the signal.

Inshore use only and carrying handheld as well.