Which VHF Antenna?

A second vote for the Metz Manta. I picked up a call from Swansea Coastguard yesterday in the Solent - I imagine high-pressure ducting had something to do with it, but impressive even so. I regularly hear Jobourg Traffic from north of Cowes.

The wiring is just as important as the antenna. You want as much screen coverage (ie how tightly woven the outer braid is) as you can get and a good thick dielectric insulator between the central core and the screen (hence the overall size of the cable is a good indication). The stuff I bought has 98% braid coverage and feels like garden hose compared to the skinny stuff the builder fitted! (bit of an exaggeration, I believe it's 10mm outer diameter). Decent plugs top and bottom, and make sure you assemble them correctly with no shorts and the core properly soldered to the pin.

Pete
 
Thanks for the info. I remembered seeing the Metz recommended elsewhere. The only off-putting aspect is the need for the coupling at the base of the antenna instead of hardwired cable set in resin; I wonder how well it seals? I’ll order some RG8X cable and look out for the percentage braid coverage.
 
Baddox said:
... the need for the coupling at the base of the antenna ....
Click to expand...

On the 'Salty John' site you can also purchase "Bandit™ clear silicone self fusing compression tape". I bought the Metz and cable from Salty John and sealed the plug with the Bandit tape. I used a whole role of it which worked well. It made a nice tight bond as it was wound round and adhered well, not bulky at all, but thicker than the picture of the wraps on Salty John's web page. I am happy with the sealing ability and the fact that the plug itself is completely isolated from the environment with a product that just needs a sharp knife to remove.

http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/boat-products-antennas.htm
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
On the 'Salty John' site you can also purchase "Bandit™ clear silicone self fusing compression tape". I bought the Metz and cable from Salty John and sealed the plug with the Bandit tape. I used a whole role of it which worked well. It made a nice tight bond as it was wound round and adhered well, not bulky at all, but thicker than the picture of the wraps on Salty John's web page. I am happy with the sealing ability and the fact that the plug itself is completely isolated from the environment with a product that just needs a sharp knife to remove.

http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/boat-products-antennas.htm
Click to expand...

I agree with the Metz and cable from Salty John. I bought these a couple of years ago, and the difference is spectacular. It's not uncommon for me to pick up Shetland Coastguard and Orkney VTS while sailing along the Moray Firth coast between Fraserburgh and Lossiemouth.

I'm well impressed!
 
Another vote for Metz Manta! I fitted one and dramatically improved my ability to hear CG weather on VHF. Routinely hear Stornoway CG in Bishops Bay Ballachulish - with plenty of mountains in the way.
 
Another one for Metz from Salty John.

Just fitted mine to the pushpit on an LM - I wanted it there as we will be going through French canals at some stage. Seems to be working perfectly.
 
The fact that you are replacing a 4' high-gain antenna could mean that you have a mobo (although your profile is of no help whatsoever). If so, perhaps a similar replacement would be sensible. The Metz is magic ( I have an SJ-sourced one fitted as well) for up the mast on a yacht where there will be heeling problems. Your longer one will probably be one of those "J" configurations in a fibreglass tube giving a flatter beam but for longer distances - ideal for a stable platform.
 
Baddox said:
Thanks for the info. I remembered seeing the Metz recommended elsewhere. The only off-putting aspect is the need for the coupling at the base of the antenna instead of hardwired cable set in resin; I wonder how well it seals? I’ll order some RG8X cable and look out for the percentage braid coverage.
Click to expand...

No problem with rhe connector at the base of the aerial - just wind some amalgamating tape around and it's waterproof. Also easy to replace if the cable gets damaged. And go for the better cable also from Salty John? of this forum - well woth the extra. I also used a through deck gland which takes the connector so the connector is below deck and therefore does not get any corrosion. The deck connectors you can get are a waste of time in my opinion as I've always had problems with them.
 
There’s a bit of thread resurrection going on here, but thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to reply.
Despite all the recommendations for the Metz you all have more confidence in my ability to achieve a water-tight seal on the connector, than I do.
Bill is right that the antenna was to roof mount on a mobo, hence the request for a high gain model. In the end I fitted a V-Tronix “Power Boat” antenna from here http://www.marinechandlery.com/v-tronix-power-boat-vhf-fibreglass-antenna-1-5m-polycarbonate-ferrule

It came pre-fitted with coax and I soldered the connector to the other end; I hope that the short run length overcomes the need for a higher quality cable.

It has been impressive so far with an SWR of just over 1 and I now pick up far more transmissions than with the old antenna, including port ops from over 7 miles away that’s not within line-of-sight.
 
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