vhf radio arial masthead or pushpit mount ?

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lancsjohn

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I am fitting out a 19 foot trailer/sailer. I have a large VHF arial that will fit onto pushpit rail is it worth getting a masthead arial and running cable on outside of mast with plug at base. If so which arial is recomended?
 
Your VHF antenna will do far better at the masthead but on no account use a deck plug. Run the cable through a deck gland and all the way to the radio preferably without any joints. If you insist on having a joint in the coax make sure it is below deck and that the cable rises up to it so that any water coming throught the gland drips off before reaching the joint.
 
Re: vhf radio aerial masthead or pushpit mount ?

How far do you envision sailing, do you see yourself passage making or just day sailing. Will you be recovering the boat at the end of each day?

By fitting to the mast opens the aerial to damage and more than usual wear on the connector you use. Also most trailer sailors do not have brilliant security which will mean taking the fixed unit off the boat each day.

I wonder if you might be better looking at a handheld.. But this depends upon how you will be using the boat. If you intend to keep her on a mooring I would buy a masthead. Otherwise if you sailing is as above then I would go h/h.

If you already have a set and will be bringing the mast down each day, then I might think like you and fit to the rail.

Good question??
 
Its a trailer sailer so I have to lower the mast when I move on, is pulling the cable back through the gland practical?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Run the cable through a deck gland and all the way to the radio preferably without any joints.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you imagine how irritating it will be unscrewing / screwing a gland each day as you put the mast up / down?

I certainly would not consider a deck gland for this circumstance. There will be enough to do.
 
If you only want a couple of miles range, then rail mount is fine, otherwise as high as possible. Joins in VHF cables do nothing to enhance signal, so take the other advice and do away with them altogether. I've got a single piece of RG213 cable from VHF set to masthead antenna, and get weather from Southport Coast Guard which is 40 n.m. away from me.
 
There is another, less pretty way, but maybe the best.

Fit to the mast and have enough spare cable that you can bring it through the hatchway and onto the radio. It could be long enough to leave connected when you drop the mast, just coil onto a hook at sea.

Ok, you will see the cable, but this method does away with any messing around with connectors, glands, mounts etc.

I guess it depends if you want pretty or function at the end of the day.
 
large aerials if you mean approx 2m are designed for motor boats and made to sit on the deck or wheel house roof.

You would be better for weight and look to fit a whip, it will also take more punishment than a fibreglass rod.

This is not to say you should not use the large aerial, but it would not really make a big difference to your range considering the sailing you will be doing but will add extra weight and possible windage right where you don't want it.
 
thanks for ideas I will look for a whip arial and see if I can route cable through front hatch seal which is thick sponge rubber that needs replacing.
 
Definitely mount your large antenna on the transom aft of the pushpit. It will just get damaged and make your mast too long if you leave it on the mast top when towing. Not to mention cable problems. If you find you really need more range then possibly another on the mast top but so many power boats manage quite well with cabin top mounted antenna why worry?
 
My alacrity 19 .... was rail mounted VHF aerial and was fine for general solent / close to shore work...... typical of most small sub 20ft boats.

Yes its best if you can rig a masthead antenna ... and I have a deck-plug fitting that works fine .... so up / down mast is not that bad ....
 
I've had no problems with a deck socket for the VHF aerial. Mine has given no problems over 20 years but that's a little boat and I only potter around the Solent. The plug and socket were fitted carefully by me following the insructions to the letter.

My friends boat has similarly had no problems and that has been used extensively offshore The aerial has been replaced once but the deck socket has been there undisturbed for 25 years or more. As he was an Enginner I don't suppose he read the instuctions that carefully but it has worked no problems.

I always smear a little silicone grease on the cable so that the "boot" slides up and down it easily and remains water proof. I also lightly grease the thread so that it unscrews easily and makes that more water resistant.

I have kept, and use, the plastic cap for the socket and the plasitc "plug" for the plug
 
The hassle of unplugging the masthead aerial with the risk of degrading reception and or transmission; a large masthead whip aerial waggling about as you trundle about towing it wherever; the reasonable inshore reception you'll get from a pushpit installation .. I'd fit it to your pushpit. A pushpit mount will swivel the aerial horizontal when travelling/unshipping the mast and will thus keep out of the way.
 
I have just installed a new DCS VHF.

I did an RTFM, breaking the habit of a lifetime.

Shock/horror ---
Transmit only on low power if anyone is near the antenna.
Do not transmit at all if anyone is touching the antenna.

Obvious conclusion?
Masthead only, apart from a second emergency only aerial
 
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