Matsutec HP-33A VHF antenna

JumbleDuck

JumbleDuck

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I'm in the process of buying one of these little beauts. I see that it comes with its own GPS mushroom, but how about VHF? Does it have its own antenna or does it/can it share the radio one? I imagine that it's a Good Idea to broadcast the AIS signal from as high up as possible.
 
You'd probably be best fitting a dedicated VHF antenna. It needn't be particularly high, ultimate range isn't too important with AIS. You could even use a pushpit-mounted antenna.
 
VicS said:
There is a manual on line at http://dolcetto.org.uk/downloads/HP-33A User Manual V1.2 NDM.pdf

not sure that it answers your questions though.
It does not come with a VHF antenna
Click to expand...

Thanks, Vic. Your legendary reputation for finding manuals online is further reinforced.

As you say, though, it's not much help, though page viii does show "VHF Aerial (Optional)" so perhaps it has an internal antenna. Feedback from people who have already installed one would be most useful.
 
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JumbleDuck said:
As you say, though, it's not much help, though page viii does show "VHF Aerial (Optional)" so perhaps it has an internal antenna.
Click to expand...

It doesn't have an internal VHF antenna, and can't work without one. I suspect the "optional" description is a translation error, and really means "not provided".
 
I fitted one of salty John's excellent dedicated Metz on a stern rail mount. Don't like splitting the main vhf.......
I see contacts from 20 miles away on a good day happy that I will see 10 on a bad one at worst.
It can also be used as an emergency vhf if you lose your mast or the mhu develops a fault.
Very happy with the end result with the Chinese ais.
 
TSB240 said:
Very happy with the end result with the Chinese ais.
Click to expand...

Just like all the Icom, Garmin and Standard Horizon kit that is also now made in China!!!

HP-33A
It will need a VHF antenna to function as an AIS Transponder. It does not have one built in, neither does it have an antenna duplex system. There are external systems available to share the main VHF antenna, but the best solution is to give it it's own, although if you turn off the transmit function you could use it as an AIS receiver with any length of wire poked into the socket.

There are a number of threads on here that detail a number of the extra features of this unit..... just do a forum search.
 
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