VHF antenna

[two stroke mick]

Can anyone recommend a good vhf anetnna that wont cost the earth and last more than 4 weeks?

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Can anyone recommend a good vhf anetnna that wont cost the earth and last more than 4 weeks?

have you tried the vtroniX rib raider?

Vtronix Vtronix RIB Raider Antenna - Only £54.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

I've used one for a few seasons now, been ok upto now

[martini]

Rib Raider ticks all your boxes - Won't cost the earth and won't last more than 4 weeks

The general consensus on here is that Chris's experience is the exception to the rule.

Don't be scared of fibreglass antennas of the 1-1.5m range, they seem to hold up surprisingly well

[jambo]

Originally Posted by martini

Rib Raider ticks all your boxes - Won't cost the earth and won't last more than 4 weeks

The general consensus on here is that Chris's experience is the exception to the rule.

Don't be scared of fibreglass antennas of the 1-1.5m range, they seem to hold up surprisingly well

Only by some people. I have had a RR for some years and never had any problems!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Razorbill RIBs]

Originally Posted by martini

Don't be scared of fibreglass antennas of the 1-1.5m range, they seem to hold up surprisingly well

We have Pacific aerials on the RIBs, they are New Zealand made..... The Pacific range have a standard (and robust) base which you can screw different antenna onto easily.... We use the short flexi ones (leave them on) http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....1&d=1328895932 and because we operate in some pretty remote /poor vhf areas also carry a large 1.5m fibreglass antenna (as per Matts recommendation) which is stowed under the sponson in one of the oar clips.... But tbh rarely have cause to use it.

In fact I just bought another two for the Atlantic from Ian Sharlot on here..... I think Ian bought up some stock as the main importer stopped dealing not sure if thats correct???..... Either way, worth dropping Ian a note as his prices are good....and with Pacific there are lots of options

For what its worth, I too have broken a Vtronix

[alystra]

Originally Posted by jambo

Only by some people. I have had a RR for some years and never had any problems!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

I've had two Rib Raiders in ten years, replaced the first two years ago. Boat well used.

[two stroke mick]

i have a fibreglass one circa 1.3 m long very good send and recieve but the plastic base has cracked. it is currently held together with insulating tape and a cable tie. i would like similar with a metal base

tsm

[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by martini

Rib Raider ticks all your boxes - Won't cost the earth and won't last more than 4 weeks

The general consensus on here is that Chris's experience is the exception to the rule.

Don't be scared of fibreglass antennas of the 1-1.5m range, they seem to hold up surprisingly well

Agreed. Go for a full length, stainless steel or fibreglass antenna; the bigger the better. And pay attention to the quality of the coax it's supplied with. My boat was supplied with a Raider antenna; it didn't survive the Channel crossing.

[Peter_C]

Dunno if this will help you or not. I went with an 8ft on my SIB. Bought a Shakespeare 5225 XP.

http://www.llelectronics.com/docs/aw...HFAntennas.pdf

[Channel Ribs]

Pacific aerials are superb, Dan is correct in that there are UK supply problems at the moment though we are working on fixing that.

Also have a look at the Metz antenna, very high quality and performance.

[wellhouse]

Glomex Stainless Steel Whip VHF Antenna Kit - Only £49.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

i've got one of these on my 6.2m and got to say it's lasted well after i replaced my fibreglass one that had cracked (again).
I took some time researching before i bought it and have been impressed with it's performance bearing in mind it's only fairly short (3db gain).
I can hear Portland when on the trailer in the middle of the New Forest (Lyndhurst) which is good enough for me. Having been a mate in the merchant navy, i've been spoilt with vhf aerials with a height of over 200ft above sea level and some serious vhf kit. Bottom line is you're only going to get a range of line of sight (unless you have some strange atmospheric anomalies going on) on big ships about 25 miles. On the rib, aerial survival is more important than range for me (i want it to work when i use it even if it isn't the ultimate in range). Even on my bigger Sunseeker i switched to these stainless steel ones as i've got fed up replacing the 2m 'ish fibreglass ones every year and for me it's made very little difference in range. Good news is it's giving good reception on the stereo as well, as i have a splitter attached in line, and the ais seems to work fine to.

(i had to buy longer cable as the one supplied with the kit was too short and the glomex adaptor to fit to the swivel bracket that was already fitted to the rib and sun seeker) it comes with 3 different types of mounting bracket which is quite handy, plus all the plugs etc. I was looking for the similar Pacific one at the time but couldn't find one, but is probably just as good on a rib)

[two stroke mick]

Obtained a pacific antenna to-day from force 4 a very well made peice of kit I would say

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Obtained a pacific antenna to-day from force 4 a very well made peice of kit I would say

We have fitted and sold more than I can count, had them on our own boats too over many years. Never known one to fail!

[Oscarguitar]

Try the Glomex as mentioned above. My Rib is 7 years old and came with one fitted. Working brilliantly up until recently. The cable is shot and it was cheaper to get a complete new Glomex antenna and 18m cable than buy the cable alone. (I did get a bit of a deal as it was labeled incorrectly)

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

We have fitted and sold more than I can count,

If your counting of pints is anything to go by, that could be a lot

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Erin

If your counting of pints is anything to go by, that could be a lot

Ah, yes, there is that!

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Obtained a pacific antenna to-day

Originally Posted by Oscarguitar

Try the Glomex

Does he need two?

[Oscarguitar]

Oops! Should have read all the thread posts.
But why not. I've got two now and it balance the look of the boat nicely.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Oscarguitar

Oops!

I've got two now and it balance the look of the boat nicely.

Especially if you angle them both back so they look wind swept and aerodynamic?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Especially if you angle them both back so they look wind swept and aerodynamic?

AND paint them orange...oops wrong thread, sorry