Siting a Navtex aerial

[Indalo]

I'm about to fit a Nasa Navtex to my Mirage 2700. Can anyone advise if it's OK to put the aerial inside the boat, e.g. up in the cockpit coamings? Space is very limited on the pushpit.

Stan

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[BrendanChandler]

The answer Stan is it depends.

I suggest that you just place it there to try it there. Select All Messages from All Stations and depending on where you are, you should get some messages in a few hours. Have a look at the almanac for message broadcast times and check that you are getting the messages you expect before drilling holes etc.

Brendan

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http://hometown.aol.co.uk/brendanchandler/index.html

 

[Oldhand]

I don't think there is any one answer to this than try it and see. However, if the aerial is mounted horizontally it could be more susceptable to picking up multipath reflections off the sea, which could seriously degrade reception. It should also still be clear of all metal objects - especially anything which is grounded, by at least 1m. I tried the ICS active Navtex aerial under a combing and it wasn't very successful. I now use a masthead active aerial which is of course as far a way as possible from any interfering sources and as a result is excellent.

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[chriscallender]

It should work - I used to receive Navtex OK with NASA HF/3 receiver connected to a notebook with a long piece of wire taped to the top of the lockers as an antenna so I think it would work. Makes me wonder why I went to the bother of siting the antenna outside when I upgraded to a dedicated Navtex!!!!

Chris

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[Vara]

When fitting Navtex installed box in cabin and put wire thing on bookshelf for installation when i had time, it worked perfectly for three years.Try it and see.


<hr width=100% size=1>COL,IF IT CAN'T BE FIXED WITH A LUMP HAMMER DONT FIT IT.

 

[Indalo]

Thanks everyone. I'll try it under the coaming, then if that doesn't work move it outside.

Stan

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[Keith]

I have to say i agree with old hand on this one, mount it as high as possible outside of any stays etc, if you go any distance from the transmitters i have found the higher up it is the more reliable the reception........keith

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