Product Endorsement-Metz VHF Antenna

[Quandary]

Last year I decided that our vhf reception was not too good and based on information and recommendations from here I replaced my three year old Vtronix/Shakespeare Hawk antenna with a Metz Manta 6 antenna from Salty John of this parish. He recommended that I should replace the antenna cable and connections with RG8x which added quite a bit to the cost and meant that I did not get it to the (15m.) masthead until now. I modified a Windex I had to go over it rather than splash out on the dedicated one. Even when on the pushpit last summer it was an improvement. Last week we were on passage from Sanda southward toward Larne and in the space of about three hours we were picking up Stornaway, Liverpool and Holyhead Coastguard and the Liverpool pilots as well as the usual local stations at Belfast, Clyde and Malin Head. Later as we approached Belfast, we were getting Manx fishing boat traffic too, they must still fish on Saturdays down there. I have never picked up Holyhead in the North Channel before so I am well impressed with my purchase. I reckon the change must have doubled the range of our VHF but if we ever transmit we will need to remember to do it on low power.
I have no connection with Salty John except as a very satisfied customer both with his product and his service.

 

[awol]

I too have splashed out on a US coastguard endorsed etc. Metz aerial + new cable and not only has the range improved but everyone seems to be speaking more clearly. Only one wee quibble - the thread engagement of the connector barrel seemed a tad inadequate for the aerial and the securing nut so I replaced it with a fully threaded longer version.
Now, does anyone do a filter that switches out "radio check" calls?

 

[Quandary]

When I got mine I raised the point about the short stub as I was no intending to use the supplied bracket and a few days later received the long version through the post FOC, no quibble. That is what I regard as good customer service.

 

[itsmeagain]

I fitted one to my Jeanneau, also from Salty John (who was very helpful incidentally) atop a 10.5m mast and using a continuous cable supplied by him and I can affirm the reception and transmitting ability is really stunning. I can receive vessels miles away, - channel 16 is almost at the nuisance level. My radio is the AIS receiving Standard Horizon retailing approx £300) and I can track vessels easily at 30nm (from an inland marina). The best so far, presumably with the aid of duct propagation in high pressure conditions at night, was from Harwich to a vessel 118nm away in a lock outside Antwerp, I assume he had a belter of a transmitter, but I got others just over 100nm, also.
Highly recommended!

 

[Jabs]

I have equipped my last four boats with Metz and can endorse everything mentioned above.

I think the cable, lack of joins and height are the main issues, but the clarity on my (Icom) VHF is superb.

A great product sold by a delightful and knowledgable individual.

Tony.

 

[ianfr]

I fitted one during the winter of 2011 when the mast was down. This year as we were drifting up to Burnham on Crouch we heard both sides of a conversation from Brixham Coastguard and a fishing vessel on 16.

The one and only time that I have been tempted to call the coastguard for a radio check

Salty John, has always been very helpful and delivered promptly. (No connection apart from happy customer)

Regards

Ian

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

And another happy user and also a happy customer of Salty John. Recommend both to anyone.

 

[[70521]]

Scary, I was just looking at the website today and mentally putting this on my lists to do this winter!

 

[prv]

I've got one, together with a downlead like a garden hose (from a ham radio supplier rather than Salty John) and I regularly pick up CROSS Jobourg in the Solent. First time I assumed it was high-pressure ducting, but we were getting them yesterday too even in crappy weather

Pete

 

[Delivery Skipper]

Last season we changed the VHF transceiver as reception and transmission were very poor ,this made very little difference.Have now fitted the above mentioned aerial ,the difference is incredible. Well worth the price.

www.keenmarine.co.uk

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I did the same but bought the smaller diameter cable with Metz antenna and all fittings from Salty John, I used the existing mast bracket. Anything would have been better than what was removed but I must say that the clarity of sound is obvious with the new antenna and cable, sharp, no hiss or fuzzy noise at all. I don't think it is expensive what is achieved.