install new VHF antenna

[Dionysis]

I have a hunter 26.5 that I purchased with a broken vhf radio and no antenna. I want to know where is the best place to mount a new antenna. Ive seen the ones that mount on the mast but I'k not exactly sure how to run the coax cable. Do you drill a hole in the side and run it down the inside of the mast? How do you get the cable through the deck and ensure its waterproofed. It appears that there was one on the deck on the port side of the cockpit one that had a male end that went through the deck secured below by a nut. However I can't find one online that looks like that. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jssailem]

You the phrase. A picture's worth a thousand words. When you want info about something you want to match, an image really helps us help you.

Do you have coax cable running from the cabin to where the broken antenna is in the cockpit? Send us a picture.

Basics- Radio, coax, antenna.

Putting the antenna on the top of the mast will help extend your range. VHF is line of sight. If you can see the lake edges then maybe you do not need the radio on the mast.

If your sailing on an ocean or a gulf then the range extended by putting the antenna on the mast is helpful.

 

[Ken Cross]

I have always had one at the top of the mast, but almost never use it. We use a handheld all the time. It's a rare event when we don't hear chatter in the handheld. Generally if you can hear them, they can hear you. The installed radio is also inconvenient because it's inside and we're in the cockpit.

The only time I generally use the installed unit is when someone is in the dinghy and someone stays onboard.

Get (or borrow) a portable and then judge how it works for you.

Ken

 

[Dionysis]

Here are the pics that you requested. I traced the original Coax cable it ran from the back of the old radio through the cabinetry into the starboard cockpit stowage compartment and connected to the thru deck old antenna port. It seems as though it had one that was broken off and this is all thats left.

 

[Dionysis]

I see that the cable outlet on the deck is the same as the one from west marine found here. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shakespeare--shakespeare-4184-cable-outlet-rg8--6558209?recordNum=24 Does the standard 1" base VHF marine antenna just screw on to this if you remove the nut?

 

[jssailem]

I think you are looking at the end of the coax that ran through the deck seal (that's the fitting) attached to an antenna that was fitted to the pulpit.

You'll be able to remove the old coax. Run a new coax. You might be able to use the old one to fish the new coax to the same location in the cabin if the old wire is loose behind the cabinets.

You may find the parts at the SBO shop
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/cat.php?5089

 

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[Joe]

I'd invest in a nice hand held before the fixed mount. I'll bet the previous owner of your boat did the same.... Unless you need to communicate more than 15 miles the hand held is quite adequate for lake sailing.

 

[Dionysis]

I'd invest in a nice hand held before the fixed mount. I'll bet the previous owner of your boat did the same.... Unless you need to communicate more than 15 miles the hand held is quite adequate for lake sailing.

I had considered a handheld but from what I have read with VHF being line of sight I'm afraid that on the Tennessee River and TenTom waterway that I may not be able to communicate with a barge if its coming around a bend and I can't see the tow. IF I knew it could reach several miles more than 3 miles or so I wouldn't have an issue using a handheld as my primary radio. Any advice?

 

[jssailem]

My SH HX870 handheld routinely gets signals from boats/CG out to 10 plus miles. Hi power transmission is 6W. There are sales today. Lowest price I've seen is about $200.

 

[Joe]

The barge/tug will have it's antenna high enough to extend range.

 

[HMT2]

IMHO if you leave your mast up all the time and you want to spend the $$$$ on a fixed VHF then go for it, but if you are sailing mainly inland and un step your mast fairly regularly I would go hand held.

 

[Dionysis]

Our mast stays up. I decided to meet in the middle. I'm not climbing the mast again for the moment. I decided to install a rail mounted antenna and the mounted vhf just for the reason that one day I do plan on taking the boat down to the gulf and will have the communications to do it safely. Thanks for all the input.

 

[jssailem]

Good for you. You'll be pleased with the result and may find it works well even in the gulf.