FM radio - Aerial

[sgr143]

I just fitted an FM radio (car type) to my boat - problem is, the manufacturers' assumption is that it is fitted in a car, with an aerial fitted and lead in place ready to plug in to the radio - not in a boat, which hasn't....

Can I make do with just a length of wire connected to a suitable plug? Or, since the boat is blessed with two VHF antennae, only one of which is plugged into the VHF at any time, would the spare one work as an aerial for the FM radio, if connected using some coax with plug and socket as needed?

I guess I could just get a short car aerial and hide it somewhere inside the boat (don't want to make any more through-fittings if it can be avoided)...

Ideas?

Steve

...later - It looks like I can use an indoor "home" FM aerial (DIN connector) with a DIN-to-ISO adapter. These aerials are quite big (6' tee) but I guess I could tack one under one of the saloon shelves.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Can I make do with just a length of wire connected to a suitable plug? Or, since the boat is blessed with two VHF antennae, only one of which is plugged into the VHF at any time, would the spare one work as an aerial for the FM radio, if connected using some coax with plug and socket as needed?

This will work. I have two antennas and use one for the FM radio. I made a cable up with a PL259 on one end and a FM plug on the other, this connects to one of the VHF antenna cables using a male to male PL259 connector, which means the antenna is still OK as an emergency VHF antenna.

 

[sgr143]

Spot on! Thank you. I guess Maplins will provide - in fact, just checked and it looks like they have the bits.

Steve

 

[William_H]

Much depends on the range of FM reception that you need. The typical car radio antenna cable plug can be bought but a piece of insulated wire bare at the end can be carefully pushed into the centre hole. From there try the plain wire about 1.5 metres long just laid along a shelf. This should work ok for medium wave AM radio as well.
If you need long range FM the mast head VHF antenna might be better being mounted higher but is really too short for FM bands. Of course if you buy a car radio antenna with cable and plug you do get a correct plug but it won't necessarily work better than a piece of wire. olewill

 

[sgr143]

Thanks William - I might give both the "bit of wire" and 2nd VHF antenna a try, and see what works best. I'll avoid getting a car antenna if I can - there's enough clutter about in the boat as it is!

Steve

 

[Bergamot]

I fitted a very cheap hideaway aerial from ebay which works very well. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electroni...2V-Black-FK-/332006597072?hash=item4d4d22a1d0

 

[vyv_cox]

I have used a short length of wire as an antenna for a succession of car radios in the boat for the past 30 years. Length about 1.5 metres I would guess. The only time there has been a problem was listening to long wave in Holland, when the solar panels caused some interference.

 

[sgr143]

I have used a short length of wire as an antenna for a succession of car radios in the boat for the past 30 years. Length about 1.5 metres I would guess. The only time there has been a problem was listening to long wave in Holland, when the solar panels caused some interference.

I now have this mental picture of Vyv's boat moored up in the middle of a vast array of offshore Dutch solar panels.

Thanks all. "Cheap and Cheerful" bit of wire first it is, then. One step removed from the traditional, and now seldom seen, wire coat-hanger jammed into the remains of a snapped-off car aerial....

 

[vyv_cox]

I now have this mental picture of Vyv's boat moored up in the middle of a vast array of offshore Dutch solar panels.
..

No, it was our own panels, at that time a fexible one on the port side where the sun was and a fixed semi flexible beneath the boom on the centre line. There was a bit of swell, we were heading north and each time we rolled the panels alternately saw the sun and then didn't. Somehow this resulted in a buzzing noise on the radio on long wave, naturally enough at exactly the time the shipping forecast was being broadcast.

 

[Daverw]

Just remember back a few years and all the coat hangers being used when the extending aerial broke, as vic says just a bit of wire need or as I've done connect to the chain plate inside boat and use rigging. Don't forget your only receiving so no power.

 

[geem]

We tried a succession of different aerials but thr best one was wire aerial. Basically a bit of two core cable formed into a square and joined at both ends. There is info on internet on dimensions. Mine lives above headling panel and works brilliantly. Sorry a couldnt find the link but if you use coax from the radio to shield from the electronics onboard then use approximetely two metres of wire formed into a square or rectangle you get great reception