Wind indicator on VHF antenna ...

[Refueler]

This is the second boat that same problem ... VHF antenna at top of mast, with wind indicator half way up antenna whip.

The arrow is fine - but the V giving the 'dead band' turns on the whip and no matter what I do - I cannot get it to lock in position. The screw being in soft plastic just cannot get enough 'bite' on the antenna.

Am I only one with this rubbish problem ... or how did you fix it ?

 

[Yellow Ballad]

Could a piece of adhesive heatshrink over the whip for the screw to "bite" in to work?

 

[Refueler]

Could a piece of adhesive heatshrink over the whip for the screw to "bite" in to work?

Definitely needs something to bite into ... but problem there I think - the hole whip passes through would not allow heatshrink as well ... drilling out would not be good as that means less plastic for the screw. Also the arrow sits on the V part.

Its a job I need sort once I get mast down ... I also have my spinnaker halyard to try and re-reeve ..... when I removed all running rigging from mast last year - the mouse line I used broke and spinny halyard came out ... Of course all lines are internal !!

 

[Mistroma]

Definitely needs something to bite into ... but problem there I think - the hole whip passes through would not allow heatshrink as well ... drilling out would not be good as that means less plastic for the screw. Also the arrow sits on the V part.

Its a job I need sort once I get mast down ... I also have my spinnaker halyard to try and re-reeve ..... when I removed all running rigging from mast last year - the mouse line I used broke and spinny halyard came out ... Of course all lines are internal !!

Yes, it would prevent reassembly. I meant to fix mine last year as tightening the year before failed. I considered pushing a tiny amount of Araldite Rapid into the screw hole and adjusting the angle very carefully before tightening. Mine is certainly off centre and that might well mean it would pull round when the screw is tightened .

 

[Refueler]

Yes, it would prevent reassembly. I meant to fix mine last year as tightening the year before failed. I considered pushing a tiny amount of Araldite Rapid into the screw hole and adjusting the angle very carefully before tightening. Mine is certainly off centre and that might well mean it would pull round when the screw is tightened .

Every day mine is at different angle to the centre-line of boat !! If it was just set at bad angle - that would at least say it grips ... but it doesn't.

 

[LadyInBed]

You could file a flat onto the antenna that lines up with the grub screw then give ate assembly a dab of superglue.

 

[MoodySabre]

Don't look up. The sails will tell when you're too tight on the wind.

 

[Jabs]

Why not use a 316 stainless screw? Or am I missing something?


Tony

 

[William_H]

As said file a flat on the antenna in the right place. Then add "super glue" above and below to hold it even firmer in place. Me I have a home made pointer with no markers for dead zone but I mostly use it for determining impending gybe. ol'will

 

[john_morris_uk]

I suspect someone in the past has been a bit heavy handed with the screwdriver. The screw thread is very easy to strip in the plastic.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Clamp a stainless worm drive clip around the plastic fitting where the screw fits. This should clamp the screw tight on to the arial.

 

[[70521]]

I've slipped a Biro outer over the antenna and glued that to the body of the antenna and the V onto that.

 

[davidej]

You could file a flat onto the antenna that lines up with the grub screw then give ate assembly a dab of superglue.

+1 and file a flat on the end of the screw if it is pointy

 

[Refueler]

Why not use a 316 stainless screw? Or am I missing something?


Tony

Its not the screw thats' problem ... its the plastic body that screw goes into.

 

[Refueler]

I suspect someone in the past has been a bit heavy handed with the screwdriver. The screw thread is very easy to strip in the plastic.

Its never been OK from day one on both boats ... and when I was living / sailing in UK - many other people I spoke to who had same - said similar.

 

[Refueler]

You could file a flat onto the antenna that lines up with the grub screw then give ate assembly a dab of superglue.

Once I get mast lowered - that's what I'll do ... its what we do with stuff on our models like U/C legs etc.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Its never been OK from day one on both boats ... and when I was living / sailing in UK - many other people I spoke to who had same - said similar.

We must have been lucky then as I’ve fitted several and never had much of a problem.

 

[Daydream believer]

Get the head of a brass bolt of similar diameter to the vane bush & cut it off. Drill & tap it for 2 clamping screws to fix it to the antennae
Put it under the vane & solder 2 lugs sticking up to locate against the arm sockets to stop it turning. Fix it below the windex & tighten, then that will stop the windex boss rotating

 

[TSB240]

I would replace your complete Aerial with a Metz combined with the add on indicator.

Simple reason it is a far better design and your V tronix with Hawke is doomed to fail!
The windage of the wind indicator is taken easily on the Metz as it is mounted immediately above the base coil. The v-tronic type the indicator windage acts as a big lever amplifying the windage which puts an undue strain on the coil at the base of the antenna causing water ingress and premature coil failure. I don't think the design is fit for purpose!

The close haul indicators on the Metz are secured in close proximity by mounting underneath the coil using the main antenna to bracket fastener. Simple and reliable design.
ALSO
I see many big birds perching on all boat mastheads whilst living directly overlooking our local marina (nearly all boats ashore this winter have masts left in place).
The V tronix with Hawk is a highly prized roost for shite hawks , black birds, rooks and even ducks.
The forces put onto the base coil are extreme as they will bend the antenna over with their weight quite often stripping the indicator off in the process!

In the spring breeding season the birds get very territorial. I have observed that slowly rotating wind cups on any wind indicator are subject to attack by black birds guarding their territory. For some reason the white cup version of the NASA marine variety are never touched but the black ones of all brands are fair game.


Hawk antenna windex

I rest my case

 

[Refueler]

Seeing the Metz .... I could easily modify the Vtronix I have ... for zero cost.

I never thought of moving the dead band indicators down to the mount. Tks for the piccies ...