navtex arial fixing position

[simon_sluggett]

Wheres best place to fix nasa navtex ariel- on hand rail or up the mast. Does the extra height help in marginal reception, say near tall buildings. I think theres enough cable to go at least 3/4 way up mast. probably not a good idea to site next to VHF whip though.

 

[santeana]

I researched this when setting up my Furuno NAVTEX this year. Seems reception is not too sensitive to arial location. I placed mine on pushpit alongside GPS and have found it very effective in terms of reception. In Scotland this summer the NAVTEX was often our sole method for obtaining weather reports. Also from what I've read, earthing can be more important to reception than siting of antenna.

 

[Ariadne]

Not anywhere near your rail mounted outboard bracket!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cloven]

I fitted a NASA Clipper navtex last season and I fixed the aerial inside the main cabin behind the electrics panel right next to the navtex unit - no problem with cable runs etc! - and so far have had no problem with reception.

On the basis that (I think?) navtex is a radio signal and I get good radio reception inside the boat, that's where the aerial is.

Hope this helps.

 

[Swagman]

We've ours outside on the top of aft radar pole - but have been advised only yesterday by a radio expert that a long wire set up as the antenna inside the boat would give even better reception.
Yes - long wire laid horizontal - thats what he said - the longer the better.
JOHN

 

[macd]

Apart from other considerations, NASA specifically caution against mounting their antennae within a foot of a parallel metallic object.

 

[BAtoo]

[ QUOTE ]
but have been advised only yesterday by a radio expert that a long wire set up as the antenna inside the boat would give even better reception.
Yes - long wire laid horizontal - thats what he said - the longer the better

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a long aluminium toe rail - does this count as a long wire laid horizontally????

 

[awol]

My Navtex aerial suffered after again being used as a handhold by the crew. I ended up tucking the centre wire of the coax under a jubilee clip on the pushpit, wrapping it with self- amalg tape, and have had brilliant reception ever since. So if an aerial made up of push/pullpits and guard wires works, your toerail ain't a bad idea.

 

[Oldhand]

Depends on 2 things: 1) do you just want to receive your local station or more distant stations as well and 2) the EMI environment created by your other boat equipment or neighbouring vessels and shore facilities.

If your other boat electronics don't cause interference at Navtex frequencies and you only need to receive the nearest station reliably, then a pushpit mounted antenna will normally be fine. However, if you have EMI problems and/or wish to get the best possible reception, particularly where nearby high ground or buildings could cause weak signals, an active antenna high up on the mast is superior. The only disadvantage of the latter is that more distant EMI sources may interfere. However, in my experience up the mast gives the most reliable reception.

 

[Guest]

can't speak for the later stub type ......... but my Nasa whip aerial is stuffed behind the bunk cushion and end goes up under toe-rail .... works fine.