Vhf aerial location on a gaff rig

[john williams]

Need done more help!

I need to mount a vhf aerial on my gaff rigged 28foot prawner.
There doesn't seem anywhere suitable to mount a normal whip aerial to the mast head without interfering with the topsail yard which extends above the mast head.
Will strapping a "rubber duck" type to the shroud work ok?
The mast is solid wood and the cable will have to be attached to the shroud all the way down to a gland on the deck.
Thanks- any thoughts would be useful.

John

 

[Fantasie 19]

Need done more help!

I need to mount a vhf aerial on my gaff rigged 28foot prawner.
There doesn't seem anywhere suitable to mount a normal whip aerial to the mast head without interfering with the topsail yard which extends above the mast head.
Will strapping a "rubber duck" type to the shroud work ok?
The mast is solid wood and the cable will have to be attached to the shroud all the way down to a gland on the deck.
Thanks- any thoughts would be useful.

John

Depending on how far back the boom goes - how about a transom fitting??

 

[chal]

Our aerial was fitted by a previous owner who probably faced similar problems (boom overhangs stern so no fitting opportunities there either) and the aerial is on a bracket near the top of the mast and points downwards. Seems to work ok - I don't suppose it can be as good as if it pointed upwards and was clear of obstructions so we just hope that if we're ever sinking the nearest coastguard isn't astern

 

[Woodlouse]

I have a whip ariel that is mounted flush with the mast near the masthead rather than above it.

 

[john williams]

Thanks for all this.
I've been speaking to a friend who sails a Lugger in the West Country and they have an aerial made from a stripped length of coaxial cable taped to the masthead with the rest of the cable taped to a shroud - this seems a little like my DIY emergency aerial I keep on board - but apparently it works fine and was designed by an ex rad coms man
Interesting.......

 

[Seajet]

John,

hope you have the answer then; for info as Plan B I have used my V-Tronix emergency aerial strapped to the shrouds at about 5' up and it worked well, obviously line of sight range will be reduced but it was fine for normal use.

 

[Kukri]

I am a bit puzzled; my aerial is attached in the usual way at the masthead and it never bothers the topsail yard

(it's about the only thing that doesnt!)

 

[Woodlouse]

I am a bit puzzled; my aerial is attached in the usual way at the masthead and it never bothers the topsail yard

(it's about the only thing that doesnt!)

To be honest, my burgee staff is right where a VHF aerial would usually be and that's never caused a problem either. I think the aerial is placed as it is to stop the burgee getting caught.

 

[john williams]

Thanks for all this.
I've been staring at the masthead and perusing sail plans etc and feeling rather foolish I can see that if the aerial is cranked forward on an L shaped bracket it should not interfere with the topsail yard. I might even have clearance for a small burgee. Another option I have seen if to mound the aerial about 18 inches down and use a pig stick long enough to float a long impressive burgee above the aerial but this would probably be asking for trouble!
On the strapping stripped coaxial of the correct length to the masthead idea I talked of previously , I called Icom and they said it would work but probably reduce the range considerably, which doesn't seem a brilliant idea.
Thanks for your responses
J

 

[dur]

We have standard aerial on standard bracket plus a burgee -doesn't seem to be a problem.