handheld VHF to masthead aerial?

dutyhog

dutyhog

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Can I still connect a handheld VHF to masthead aerial? I'd like get a better range than just a few miles.
I didn’t replace my ancient handheld VHF when it failed a while ago, but would like to get a new one now. I could attach it to the boat’s masthead aerial (with a PL259 to BNC adaptor). Is that practical/worthwhile nowadays with modern handheld VHFs?
Gordon
 
You would need a HH VHF with a proper BNC or similar 50ohm aerial connection.
A co-ax socket with a proper ground.
Most of the modern ones I have seen do not have this, they have just a stud or similar for the antenna with no ground.
 
As quick cheap bodge it would increase the range.
Need to bear in mind that the hand held has probably got less than a couple of watts on good day coming out of the aerial socket, deduct the losses from the PL/BNC adaptor and the 10 metres of cable connecting to the aerial and you might have 500mw emerging blinking into the light to relay your call for help:)
Ps. do not buy your adaptor from your local chandlery,get it online.
Noticed a PL 259 adaptor in our local shop (in a V.fancy packet) for well over £10.00 , we flog a perfectly serviceable one for £3.00.
 
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If you're buying a new VHF and thinking of connecting it to the Masthead aerial then I would probably just buy a proper fixed VHF and use the 25W which will get you the range. They are so cheap now and there is minimal difference to the cost between s fixed and a HH. The only disadvantage the fixed has is the hassle factor as you have to connect o power and an aerial unkike the HH. if the Aerial is already there then you've halved the hassle.
 
As Jac says, worth seriously looking at a fixed VHF. Looks like, for example, a Standard Horizon Gx1300e is around £119 at the moment. SH is a quality brand and a fixed set will be far better than lashing up a HH to your masthead aerial.

If new is too expensive there must be plenty of people replacing a working older radio with a more modern one to get, for example, AIS Rx, so try the wanted forum or eBay.
 
lpdsn said:
As Jac says, worth seriously looking at a fixed VHF. Looks like, for example, a Standard Horizon Gx1300e is around £119 at the moment. SH is a quality brand and a fixed set will be far better than lashing up a HH to your masthead aerial.

If new is too expensive there must be plenty of people replacing a working older radio with a more modern one to get, for example, AIS Rx, so try the wanted forum or eBay.
Click to expand...

I agree.
But as a matter of interest, is anyone aware of a h/h which does have a suitable socket?
I did used to do this at one point with a SWiftech h/h which had a BNC socket. It did give more range, e.g. getting CG weather forecasts mid channel.
But my Icom certainly can't connect to a cable.
 
I have Standard Horizon 851 and 870 handhelds on board.. The antennas on the 851 handhelds remove and expose an SMA connector. I've not looked at removing the 870 antenna.

A short cable like this on eBay (altough I didn't get from this seller) allows me to connect a handheld to intermediate points on an antenna cable if I ever need to when testing - but I've never thought of using it permanently..
SO239 Female to SMA Male Extension Pigtail

As you can see, the co-ax part is rather thin/fragile looking.. I'd not want to connect the handheld to any thicker co-ax for fear of damaging the connector on the handheld.

As others have said - Try and find a permanent fixed VHF which will have 25W output rather than about 5W from the handheld. Bear in mind also that with an older cable and a long run you're probably losing 40-50% of the signal between the back of the VHF and the antenna anyway so Tx 25W from the VHF is so much better.


Update - HX870 has the same antenna connector.
 
Martin_J said:
I have Standard Horizon 851 and 870 handhelds on board.. The antennas on the 851 handhelds remove and expose an SMA connector. I've not looked at removing the 870 antenna.

A short cable like this on eBay (altough I didn't get from this seller) allows me to connect a handheld to intermediate points on an antenna cable if I ever need to when testing - but I've never thought of using it permanently..
SO239 Female to SMA Male Extension Pigtail

As you can see, the co-ax part is rather thin/fragile looking.. I'd not want to connect the handheld to any thicker co-ax for fear of damaging the connector on the handheld.

As others have said - Try and find a permanent fixed VHF which will have 25W output rather than about 5W from the handheld. Bear in mind also that with an older cable and a long run you're probably losing 40-50% of the signal between the back of the VHF and the antenna anyway so Tx 25W from the VHF is so much better.


Update - HX870 has the same antenna connector.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that info.
 
jac said:
If you're buying a new VHF and thinking of connecting it to the Masthead aerial then I would probably just buy a proper fixed VHF and use the 25W which will get you the range.
Click to expand...

Yes, thanks. I did buy a fixed one in April 2015 - a Standard Horizon GZ1200E to replace the old Sailor - but it packed in this week after just one season's use (boat not used for a year), and is now posted off to them to see if it can be repaired.

That left me wanting an emergency radio, and a new handheld seemed a good idea, even better if it could connect to the mast aerial which can see above many of the rocks in an anchorage. I'd put a new aerial and fresh cable in the mast recently. Our old Swifttech M198 has a BNC connection, but is really past it now.
Gordon
 
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I have a cobra it has a socket for a mic or a speaker. SH radio should have a 3 year warranty. You have done all you can do HH do a short range and is alright for inshore sailing. Worst case is you relay a message. The cost of a HH and a fixed radio is very similar fixed first and if there are spare readies then a HH.
 
As I understand it....

You have a Fixed VHF - it it faulty and off for repair.

You have no hand held but you can see an advantage of one for the future.

You could get a HH now and put it on the mast head giving better coverage. Seems sensible enough to me. You will definitely increase reception range, and probably transmission too even allowing for extra connections and losses.

iCOM sell a purpose designed convertor for some sets. But the starting point is probably to find a set or sets that interest you. Also - do you want to be able to go the other way? i.e. use the HH antenna as a backup on the main set...
 
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