Refueler
Well-known member
1. I have compared splitter vs no splitter .... on same masthead antenna ..... difference even with my PASSIVE splitter was negligible.The op wanted examples of receive only as well as transceiver , so I gave them one. Their vague OP with no budget etc . Their choice to make. Having receive only may be what they want even if you don’t. Maybe it is all they can afford …… although someone posted an Aliexpress or Alibaba colour transceiver for a cheap price.
You say I have no idea how a splitter works. Isn’t that a bit of a rude thing to say , Especially as you don’t know me ?
You flick a switch and can’t use your vhf any longer. Flick it again and have vhf but NO AIS. Some people don’t like splitters for that reason. I picked that view up from this forum many years ago. some people dont like splitters for that reason ONLY…..
I also did not say to mount antenna on a rail…….you must have assumed that. a proper installation would be a 2nd antenna mounted high up but not so as to interfere with vhf radio antenna ….. hence no splitter …. again.
You must be happy to have vhf and no AIS or AIS and no vhf if you are using a splitter?
I know quite a bit about vhf antennas and have even tuned some for my own reasons. I bought a metz many years ago and can verify the swr is better than any antenna I had previously. I used my splitter (the thing you say I know nothing about) to connect 2 antennas to one radio or dummy load and swr meter etc etc). I wish people would be more polite in their posts. I do know how a splitter works you see , in-spite of your view. Sorry to contradict you .
You can use this equation below to calculate your ‘huge margin’ and edit your post to be more accurate and give an actual measurement in miles rather than stating a vague ‘huge margin’ if you like ….. that would give the OP some useful info (making the assumption that they don’t know the height advantage ….. and it is not good to make assumptions very often ….. can lead to posts appearing rude or insulting)
(√antenna height) * 1.23 = radar horizon
E.g. Sq root 25 * 1.23 = 6
as opposed to sw root 1 * 1.23= 1.23 for pushpit mount
Hope this post clarifies any assumptions made.
2. Splitters default to priority VHF .. so we can put that bit to bed.
3. If you use a Powered splitter - the results are way better than any standalone unit because the powered splitter makes up for cable losses far better.
4. You cannot - if you want non interference use of BOTH antennas - have them at masthead ... Suggest you check up the specified minimum distance in ALL directions to maintain between two VHF frequency band antenna ... AIS and VHF.
5. You may think I was rude - your choice. I was stating fact about splitters. I am fully entitled as you are also - to have differing viewpoint... and to voice such. I did not use rude or insulting words / grammar.
6. Yes I assumed rail mount as OP will be looking for simple budget setup as per his posts ... rail would be logical. That would increase the reduction in received targets compared to a splitter masthead setup.
No need to try and impress with formulae .... as its a practical matter and easily demo'd in literally every marina .... as there will be plenty of variation in setups ...