Emergency VHF antenna?

[knuterikt]

Have a glomax emergency VHF antenna like this https://www.force4.co.uk/media/cata...f78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/3/230005.jpg

And a separate antenna for AIS, used it this summer to find out why my AIS reception was so bad.
Yes I know how to use it.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I also have one, still in it's plastic tube, bought about 20 years ago but never used in anger. I also have an AIS aerial on the stern which will double up as an emergency aerial if necessary.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I have one that sits in the flare box. I made it many years ago. Yes it works. Yes I have tested it. Yes I know how to fit it. It cost me diddly squat, but it will be worth its weight if I ever need it in anger.

 

[Baddox]

I have a full antenna with about 10 yards of coax and plug. It's bagged up and stored down the back of a seat locker.

 

[Heckler]

Bit Blue Peter innit?

Works good, I made one and tested it whilst I was in Holyhead before we set off. I also have a pukka one.
Stu

 

[tudorsailor]

When the boat was coded for chartering, a spare VHF aerial was amongst the mandatory kit that I had to buy. Most of the requirements were actually quite sensible.
So I do have a spare aerial and I do know how to plug it into the radio box.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Most essential to have spare, you may notice that all trawlers and lifeboats have multiples of aerials. What if the wiring fails at top of your mainmast? Even worse what if you are dismasted? I simply mount mine on the transom next to the AIS as I don't want to start frigging around more than necessary if I ever need to call mayday. Mine cost £49 and I think most of us would value our lives more than that

 

[Heckler]

How many on here, have got one, or even know how to use one?

Just as an add on, my handheld, a Cobra, its stubby antenna rubber coating cracked. I did some research because it has a threaded connector. Turns out it is called a female SMA. Armed with that knowledge I then found one from HK and then found an adapter from SMA to the normal VHF thread. I can now connect my handheld to either of the two main VHF antennae, one at the masthead and one at the pushpit OR to the emergency one kept in its tube.
Stu
PS This one, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50cm-RG1...igtail-20in-/302518249818?hash=item466f7e295a

 

[Sailingsaves]

How many on here, have got one, or even know how to use one?

As an RYA instructor, why are you asking this question?

Also, were you not aware of the method by which to make an emergency aerial (even if you class it as a bit "Blue Peter-ish") ?

 

[Daydream believer]

My AIS is mounted on the pushpit. The difference is that the pole is the straight part of an extending sailboard boom. For general AIS use it is 2.5 ft lower but in fog or emergency it can be extended 2 ft.6 inches. In real emergency the extending part can be removed & there is enough cable to get the aerial another couple of feet higher.
The AIS transponder has an emergency facility, but the screw fitting to the AIS unit can be screwed to the radio in a few seconds- yes I have checked it is long enough to reach the radio!!!!

 

[Mistroma]

Just as an add on, my handheld, a Cobra, its stubby antenna rubber coating cracked. I did some research because it has a threaded connector. Turns out it is called a female SMA. Armed with that knowledge I then found one from HK and then found an adapter from SMA to the normal VHF thread. I can now connect my handheld to either of the two main VHF antennae, one at the masthead and one at the pushpit OR to the emergency one kept in its tube.
Stu
PS This one, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50cm-RG1...igtail-20in-/302518249818?hash=item466f7e295a

Spotted the same thing this year with our Cobra handheld, must get around to buying a replacement. I also bought a small adapter to connect to main masthead antenna in case main VHF fails. It isn't a cable unit, just the different connectors linked end to end.

I also have an AIS antenna on a pole beside wind-gen and a linking cable to main VHF. Plus a homemade emergency antenna stored in a locker nearby (actually up side of holding tank).

If I need another backup I'll be having a very bad day.

 

[alant]

As an RYA instructor, why are you asking this question?

Also, were you not aware of the method by which to make an emergency aerial (even if you class it as a bit "Blue Peter-ish") ?

What has being an instructor got to do with it?

 

[Billjratt]

There's a lot of those old aerials from Loran days discarded (the black ones with 3 or 4 disk-like things at the foot). I mounted one on the davits and chopped it to length to bring down the SWR, fitted an adapter cable and use it for the AIS., Without the adapter it goes straight into the main VHF. Tested, working and the AIS gets a useful boost to the original AE which was simply a stanchion. As Don already said, the mast doesn't need to come down for the main aerial to become inoperative, and if you're going to 'do' the French canals it would make life easier.