Hi All: My new 386 will have a VHF mounted at the Nav Station with a RAM at the steering console. If I wanted to replace the RAM with an additional radio (Not sure I really want to do this, but just hypothecating), can I / should I use the same antenna lead with a "splitter" or other device for both radios ? If yes, could both radios be used simultaniously, or should that be avoided ? Thanks...... Jeff
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Two radios
Jeff, You can use a splitter, but I do not believe that you may use both radios at the same time for transmit in that situation. The splitters I am familiar with require manual or automatic selection of the radio antenna lead. The down side to one shared antenna is that a failure of the antenna takes out both radios. We have two complete systems on our 356. Besides the ICOM that came with the boat, we installed a Standard Horizon with the remote mic at the helm. Both our antenna are at the top of the mast. Some would argue that it would be better to have the second antenna elsewhere, in case the failure is associated with adjacent damage. We carry a portable in that event. We have a few bar pilots in our family and although they tend not to be sailboat fans, the two vhf radios come from their recommendations as the most important equipment one can have on a boat. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Jeff, You can use a splitter, but I do not believe that you may use both radios at the same time for transmit in that situation. The splitters I am familiar with require manual or automatic selection of the radio antenna lead. The down side to one shared antenna is that a failure of the antenna takes out both radios. We have two complete systems on our 356. Besides the ICOM that came with the boat, we installed a Standard Horizon with the remote mic at the helm. Both our antenna are at the top of the mast. Some would argue that it would be better to have the second antenna elsewhere, in case the failure is associated with adjacent damage. We carry a portable in that event. We have a few bar pilots in our family and although they tend not to be sailboat fans, the two vhf radios come from their recommendations as the most important equipment one can have on a boat. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Can Be Done, Ed
I used a switch that I got from BUS that would switch from the masthead to an emergency antenna so that you didn't mistakenly key the wrong radio and blow it out. However, I later took off the emergency antenna and simply attached a second antenna on the radar tower. This permitted me to use either antenna with either radio. Currently, I have my helm radio (which is a B&G that I love) hooked to the masthead and the nav station JRC DRC unit attached to the radar mast antenna. BTW, I got the JRC DRC unit on E-bay for about $100. Rick D.
I used a switch that I got from BUS that would switch from the masthead to an emergency antenna so that you didn't mistakenly key the wrong radio and blow it out. However, I later took off the emergency antenna and simply attached a second antenna on the radar tower. This permitted me to use either antenna with either radio. Currently, I have my helm radio (which is a B&G that I love) hooked to the masthead and the nav station JRC DRC unit attached to the radar mast antenna. BTW, I got the JRC DRC unit on E-bay for about $100. Rick D.
No Splitters
A true splitter in a transmission line to/from an antenna should always be avoided. If the antenna is feeding two receivers, then both receivers are receiving only half of the received antenna power at their separate inputs. In the transmitting direction, only half of the power from a transmitter reaches the antenna. The other half is sent into the output stages of the other transceiver. Not a good thing. Splitters that are frquency sensitive are a different matter. That is tv/vhf or fm/vhf etc. These have frequency separating circuits and the different frequencies only travel their intended paths.
A true splitter in a transmission line to/from an antenna should always be avoided. If the antenna is feeding two receivers, then both receivers are receiving only half of the received antenna power at their separate inputs. In the transmitting direction, only half of the power from a transmitter reaches the antenna. The other half is sent into the output stages of the other transceiver. Not a good thing. Splitters that are frquency sensitive are a different matter. That is tv/vhf or fm/vhf etc. These have frequency separating circuits and the different frequencies only travel their intended paths.
better way
When I added a second radio I added a second antenna, an eight foot whip atop a four foot mast on the pushpit (stabilized by an extender on the arch.) That way, if I'm ever dismasted, I still have a working radio.
When I added a second radio I added a second antenna, an eight foot whip atop a four foot mast on the pushpit (stabilized by an extender on the arch.) That way, if I'm ever dismasted, I still have a working radio.
I like the RAM idea
I like the RAM theory myself. I don't have one yet, but plan on it. I guess if you are planning on another antenna, there is no reason not to get a whole new radio. That way if the original radio dies or you have a problem with your antenna, you have a back up. If you are planning on using just the original antenna, I would stick with the simplicity of the RAM.
I like the RAM theory myself. I don't have one yet, but plan on it. I guess if you are planning on another antenna, there is no reason not to get a whole new radio. That way if the original radio dies or you have a problem with your antenna, you have a back up. If you are planning on using just the original antenna, I would stick with the simplicity of the RAM.
Combo.
Hi Jeff, down here in Arkansas but found a way to get online. I just bought the second radio from E-Bay, the wire too. I'll put it in the cockpit and wire it to an A/B manual switch, under the nav table beside the current radio. So I will have to manually switch to the mast antenna. But I carry one of those Raytheon portables in a locker should I ever lose the mast antenna, just clamps onto the rail. There is enough cable that I could get it fairly high on my soon to be mounted radar post.
Hi Jeff, down here in Arkansas but found a way to get online. I just bought the second radio from E-Bay, the wire too. I'll put it in the cockpit and wire it to an A/B manual switch, under the nav table beside the current radio. So I will have to manually switch to the mast antenna. But I carry one of those Raytheon portables in a locker should I ever lose the mast antenna, just clamps onto the rail. There is enough cable that I could get it fairly high on my soon to be mounted radar post.
HI Peggy,
Unfortunately no, we are in Rogers, very close to Wal-Mart.
We have been to Beaver Lake a couple of times and will seek out Andy Fall's(fellow HOW regular) yacht club tomorrow. Need to see what kind of water exists there for sailing. With the kids here it might be nice to have another(smaller) sailboat. They, like you, are stinkpotters. In fact we are going down to Fort Smith at lunchtime to check out a new ski boat. Also heard there is pretty good sailing around Greer's Ferry? Also saw some big boats on Table Rock but that is a haul from here. We'll get down to Little Rock when we have more than a week. Thanks for asking.
Unfortunately no, we are in Rogers, very close to Wal-Mart.
We have been to Beaver Lake a couple of times and will seek out Andy Fall's(fellow HOW regular) yacht club tomorrow. Need to see what kind of water exists there for sailing. With the kids here it might be nice to have another(smaller) sailboat. They, like you, are stinkpotters. In fact we are going down to Fort Smith at lunchtime to check out a new ski boat. Also heard there is pretty good sailing around Greer's Ferry? Also saw some big boats on Table Rock but that is a haul from here. We'll get down to Little Rock when we have more than a week. Thanks for asking.West Marine catalog
In looking through West Marine catalog, they do sell an automatic switch. Whichever radio you last transmit on becomes the "chosen" radio on the splitter. Darren
In looking through West Marine catalog, they do sell an automatic switch. Whichever radio you last transmit on becomes the "chosen" radio on the splitter. Darren
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