Metz 6 marine VHF antenna

These antennae have a great reputation, but I have been disappointed.

I have so far snapped two of the stainless steel whips. The last one broke only a few inches above the base. It was in some terrible conditions with wind over 80 knots, but conditions like this are just when you want reliable communications.
 
Seems expensive with no available data to say if it's better or worse than the average.
 
Good to see that there is a UK supplier taking over from Salty John.

I've had 67 knots over the deck and no damage.
 
Rappey said:
Seems expensive with no available data to say if it's better or worse than the average.
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A Metz was fitted to our boat from factory -est. 1989 - still perfect when removed in 2021. It’s now the spare.

I think Metz were around from before there was an ‘average’. For some of us, VHF = Metz
 
dankilb said:
. For some of us, VHF = Metz
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But why ?
I Googled comparisons and the first 3 I watched or read, all rated a shakespear above a metz , but there was nothing to support that claim .
I dont know if one antenna can transmit further than another (for the same type) and they all have claims about longevity.
Could you be paying nearly twice as much thinking the most expensive must be the best ?
I would think the coax would be far more important than the antenna.
 
Rappey said:
But why ?
I Googled comparisons and the first 3 I watched or read, all rated a shakespear above a metz , but there was nothing to support that claim
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Shakespeare make a very similar antenna to the Metz.

Does anyone know, or can measure, the the diameter of the stainless steel 1/2 wave whip on the Shakespeare model.

This seems to be the failure point of the Metz (admittedly in severe conditions). Perhaps I have been unlucky enough to have a couple of faulty Metz units, but the Shakespeare model would have some appeal if the stainless steel whip is stronger.
 
noelex said:
Does anyone know, or can measure, the the diameter of the stainless steel 1/2 wave whip on the Shakespeare model
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I have a feeling the whip is tapered so a decent size at its base.
Both metz and shakespear have a pl259 on their bases whereas many others only come with rg58.
 
Rappey said:
I have a feeling the whip is tapered so a decent size at its base.
Both metz and shakespear have a pl259 on their bases whereas many others only come with rg58.
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Thanks.

The Metz uses a stainless steel wire with a constant diameter of 2.5mm . The design and construction of the unit seems excellent, but I don't think the stainless steel wire whip is strong enough, at least in extreme conditions,. The other possibility is some defective units have escaped quality control.
 
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I must admit I’ve never fitted or closely handled another antenna - so the Metz brand loyalty is born purely out of how well the original lasted, the build quality when in hand and the fact I didn’t want to replace the bracket! The support from Phil at ‘SeastheDay’ also seems good. Replacement whips are available.

I did go for fancy cable when re-installing the new one: M & P Ultraflex 7.

I’d never assumed they’d transmit further or that other makes are deficient. It’s more that I would happily spend a few more quid on something atop the mast that’s a faff to service or replace.
 
What sold it to me is the base isn't plastic . The one I took off fell apart while trying to undo the nut. It also seems to have a better range.
 
I removed a plastic base antenna with moulded rg58 after 29 years that looked similar to a v-tronics. It was still working fine but wanted a higher grade coax which meant a pl259 base.
The shakespear was my choice as it was nearly half the price of a metz and there was no mention of a sealed tin plated copper wire coil from metz
Shakespear also claim the military use them, that's good enough for me.
Bought their ais antenna which is about 29mm shorter.
From googling it seems they all perform the same so it's down to build quality and using a high quality coax.
Ultraflex7 does look to be a quality coax at a good price.
 
I fitted my metz about 6 years ago but the stainless whip disappeared on return from Holland 2 years ago. Bought a new whip but I've delayed fitting it due to covid and my hesitation to climbing the mast at my age... Also expensive to get a professional to fit it - tried a local firm but no reply even after a visit and follow up phone call a week later... I'm relying on my antenna fitted on a 2m pole at the stern and hand held vhf for a local cruise in a weeks time. I'm thinking about the a replacement from Banten or Shakespeare.
 
Ive got metz on mast head and bought Shakespeare for AIS, when it arrived the plastic base was nothing like the metz, similar design but nowhere near as robust. The WIP is likely to be an issue with many if it’s flapping back and forth but I’ve never had any issue, Shakespeare still in tube and fitted a Ham 2meter whip similar to metz athat was sitting in the corner of shed and just retuned for AIS, took about 8mm off top
 
Some motor boats have a short flexible vhf aerial instead of the S/S whip type yachties seem to prefer. Would the stubby coated types be more robust in challenging conditions? Why are that type not fitted to mast tops?
 
PetiteFleur said:
I fitted my metz about 6 years ago but the stainless whip disappeared on return from Holland 2 years ago. Bought a new whip but I've delayed fitting it due to covid and my hesitation to climbing the mast at my age... Also expensive to get a professional to fit it - tried a local firm but no reply even after a visit and follow up phone call a week later... I'm relying on my antenna fitted on a 2m pole at the stern and hand held vhf for a local cruise in a weeks time. I'm thinking about the a replacement from Banten or Shakespeare.
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Climbing the mast, and working at the mast head is not easy at any age, but the whip on the Metz 6 is easy and quick to change. Fellow cruisers are usally happy to help each other.
 
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