vhf antenna INSIDE the superstructure???

[vas]

subject line gives it away really,

thing is I have an old and imho beautiful Sailor VHF original equipment still working perfectly.
I also have a decent twin station Shipmate RS8100 VHF I picked up from the forum
and an AIS receiver (also picked up from the forum...)

Thing is that this year I wont do anything at the flybridge (concerning bimini, frame, etc) so I have a slight problem sorting out my antennas.

I do have the old fiberglass 1.6m or so antenna in slightly sorry state but working fine.
I also have a short stub thing a foot long which I plan to plant on the lower helm ceiling by the horns as a backup.

I plan to get and install a decent antenna at the f/b superstructure next year.

So following all this introduction, I was thinking of stuffing the old 1.6m fiberglass antenna behind the galley cabinet and upholstery and connect it to the old sailor and use it as a backup.
For the time being, the VHF and AIS will share the short stub thingy and then next year will get a decent setup with three antennas.

Considering that in our waters AIS is 99% only commercial ship doing 20-25knot and far in between, and VHF is of little use, I think this system is OK for my needs.

What I want to know is if there's going to be any exceptionally serious issues with the placement of this builtin antenna.
Mind it's going to be a pig to remove once I bolt on the galley cabinets, so best if I know now
Also I was thinking of fitting the antenna upside down
Height above sea level is 1m for the tip and 2.5m for the base (being upside down that is)

and a pic (difficult to spot in the middle of the pic where all the cabling converges towards the top):

Any serious objections bearing in mind that said Sailor VHF had acceptable reception (2-3nm) with JUST the 3m coax cable connected to it before the rebuilt?

cheers

V.

 

[kashurst]

the vhf might get little use but one day you might really really need it to work, best to fit your best (or a new 2m) aerial on the flybridge. cracking re-build by the way

 

[vas]

the vhf might get little use but one day you might really really need it to work, best to fit your best (or a new 2m) aerial on the flybridge. cracking re-build by the way

I know and that's what i'm planning to do, just not this year.
I just hope that the Sailor will work with this setup for moderate ranges

V

 

[st599]

Marine vhf is vertically polarised. You'll lose a lot of signal if you mount the antenna horizontally.

 

[vas]

Marine vhf is vertically polarised. You'll lose a lot of signal if you mount the antenna horizontally.

sorry, probably not clear enough, the proposed antenna position IS indeed vertical!
It's just that its upside down so to speak which to my understanding shouldn't affect transmission.

cheers

V.

 

[rafiki_]

Vas, I guess you will be ok if there is nothing close to interfere with the signal, preferably nothing metal close by, and nothing emitting RFD, like a motor, or another device.

 

[jfm]

Should be fine Vas. I dunno how vhf transparent plywood is, but I think it is very transparent. You can google that.

The only reason for mounting on radar arch is height = range, but so long as you remeber that you'll be ok for one season. I have all my navtex and gps antennae inside a sat dome and my tender's vhf aerial is inside the console so I'm a big fan of hiding antenna. I only have the vhf antennae outside, to get height and range. I see no problem with the upside down thing