ICS Nav 6 Navtex Antenna

duncan99210

duncan99210

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OK. The antenna on for the navtex has got water inside it and has died. It's really terminal - the cicuit board inside is just about completely rotted where theres metal showing. Now, the replacements I've been able to identify are all upwards of £150. Does anyone know how to sort out an antenna for the thing that doesn't cost this much? Any help much appreciated.
 
I believe the "antenna" for this system is rather more than just an antenna, and is the part that does the actual navtex decoding while the screen unit does filtering, storage and display. So you're not going to be able to replace it with any simple aerial, no.

At least the current / replacement aerials come in two parts, with a below-decks decoder box and an external unit that is just an honest-to-goodness antenna. I guess the problem you've hit was not uncommon, hence the change in design.

Pete
 
Mine died in the same way a few years ago. I believe the replacement was better sealed. Even though I replaced it I only use the instrument repeater function now. All the weather info is available via smartphone these days, unless miles from land.
 
duncan99210 said:
OK. The antenna on for the navtex has got water inside it and has died. It's really terminal - the cicuit board inside is just about completely rotted where theres metal showing. Now, the replacements I've been able to identify are all upwards of £150. Does anyone know how to sort out an antenna for the thing that doesn't cost this much? Any help much appreciated.
Click to expand...



The active antenna was originally just for one frequency then at a later dates they made changes to allow the use of two frequencies.


The way the manual reads this equipment will work from either the active antenna or a LONG WIRE.


Try connecting a long wire to the antenna socket on the display unit. Anything more than 2 metres.....See page 36 on your manual!!!




http://www.polaris-as.dk/files/pdf/...er/user-manual/ics_nav6_range_user_manual.pdf
 
Last edited:
Bilgediver said:
The active antenna was originally just for one frequency then at a later dates they made changes to allow the use of two frequencies.


The way the manual reads this equipment will work from either the active antenna or a LONG WIRE.


Try connecting a long wire to the antenna socket on the display unit. Anything more than 2 metres.....See page 36 on your manual!!!




http://www.polaris-as.dk/files/pdf/...er/user-manual/ics_nav6_range_user_manual.pdf
Click to expand...

Look again! That's only for the relatively rare Nav6Aplus model! If the OP had an active antenna before, he'll need a new one now, not a long bit of wire.
 
duncan99210 said:
OK. The antenna on for the navtex has got water inside it and has died. It's really terminal - the cicuit board inside is just about completely rotted where theres metal showing. Now, the replacements I've been able to identify are all upwards of £150. Does anyone know how to sort out an antenna for the thing that doesn't cost this much? Any help much appreciated.
Click to expand...

If you can get hold of the circuit diagram, I'll take a look for you.
 
pvb said:
Look again! That's only for the relatively rare Nav6Aplus model! If the OP had an active antenna before, he'll need a new one now, not a long bit of wire.
Click to expand...

It is surprising how well some of these active antenna devices work with a long bit of wire. It is always worth a try and all it needs usually is wire strung up the back stay. All the active antenna does is reduce everything to a wee bit of metal and some electronics in a fancy nacelle:) The boys at ICS
in Sussex will no doubt help though they would prefer to supply a new active antenna.
 
Bilgediver said:
It is surprising how well some of these active antenna devices work with a long bit of wire. It is always worth a try and all it needs usually is wire strung up the back stay. All the active antenna does is reduce everything to a wee bit of metal and some electronics in a fancy nacelle:) The boys at ICS
in Sussex will no doubt help though they would prefer to supply a new active antenna.
Click to expand...

I'd be very surprised! ;)
 
duncan99210 said:
OK. The antenna on for the navtex has got water inside it and has died. It's really terminal - the cicuit board inside is just about completely rotted where theres metal showing. Now, the replacements I've been able to identify are all upwards of £150. Does anyone know how to sort out an antenna for the thing that doesn't cost this much? Any help much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Sorry to say that I have not been able to find an easy/cheaper answer to this problem despite being in this position twice. The choice seems to be either pay for a new antenna unit and seal it properly before you fit it or start again with another model that is not such a poor design. The sealing on my most recent unit has been done by Araldite round the join at the top where the whip or red plastic plug sits. I also wrap the antenna in a waterproof bag when the boat is layed up. So far it has lasted three seasons. Fingers crossed!
Fair winds.
 
I had my antenna fail last year, the replacement is totally different the receiver is no longer in the a/e but in a different box that you fit below decks close to the display. the a/e is then totally passive a much better idea and seems to work fine.
 
NAV ^ antenna

Have you contacted ICS? They are back in business again after the change of ownership of McMurdo, and are manufacturing the NAV-6, so can probably supply you with a spare antenna. Visit http://www.icselectronics.co.uk/.
Tim

duncan99210 said:
OK. The antenna on for the navtex has got water inside it and has died. It's really terminal - the cicuit board inside is just about completely rotted where theres metal showing. Now, the replacements I've been able to identify are all upwards of £150. Does anyone know how to sort out an antenna for the thing that doesn't cost this much? Any help much appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
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