Aerial location/bracket

[aitchem]

Hello from a windy Aberdeen.
My new Metz aerial arrived today.
It has a bright shiny robust looking stainless bracket.
I could use this bracket instead of the flimsy looking plastic bracket on top of the mast.
So, my question is, advantages/disadvantages of fitting my aerial to the side of the mast please.?
I know I will have to use monel rivets and that messy paste. or even better would be rivnuts.?


thx
Howard

 

[Billjratt]

I'm fitting a new Metz as well and using the existing Glomex (metal) bracket.
I suspect there may be a need for the bracket to act as a ground path.
I wouldn't change the manufacturers specification if you want to get the performance you (presumeably) chose the Metz for.
Pageing Saltyjohn? ? ? ? ?
If you need to use the plastic bracket to keep it out of the way from other stuff up there, maybe you should run a piece of braid from the mast to the aerial base. (Just get a bit of coax and use the outer)

 

[awol]

Hello from a windy Aberdeen.

I know I will have to use monel rivets and that messy paste. or even better would be rivnuts.?

Not sure about pros and cons of metal bracket v. plastic but my Metz is up top on its metal bracket. I tapped holes in the mast for screws and used oversize nuts as standoffs to clear the top plate.

Pretty windy in Embra as well.

 

[Salty John]

Pageing Saltyjohn? ? ? ? ?

You called, sir?

Actually, you don't need a metal bracket. You can remove the Metz bracket and fit the antenna to an existing plastic bracket if needs be. The Metz requires no ground plane or external earthing.

 

[aitchem]

Hadn't heard of glomex before, but, the brackets look nice, just the job, so thats another 30 squids.
Better than on the side of the mast methinks.


thx
Howard

 

[Quandary]

When I bought my antenna from Salty John I modified a Windex which had come with the boat and never been used, to fit over it then screwed it on the on to the plastic V'tronix Hawk bracket which was still on the mast, I was a bit dubious about the plastic so I filled the channel under it with grp paste to stiffen it. I had to modify the Metz as the stub thread was too short for the thicker plastic bracket but this was easily done with an extended stub kindly supplied by Salty John. (I do not recall the reference for this part) On his advice I also pulled through a new higher spec. cable.
I can not recommend the Metz antenna highly enough, the vhf range seems to be double that of the Shakespeare/Vtronix and I am confident it will greatly exceed the latters very short working life.

 

[aitchem]

Thanks folks
Fortunately my Metz doesn't sit well in the plastic bracket, so I await the Glomex bracket with anticipation.
Having experienced bad radio installations on other's boats I hope not to fall into the trap.
Thanks to Salty's website, I think I will be OK.
Howard