should NEVER try to use the VHF antenna as an FM antenna via a splitter. Could you elaborate. I understand that a "true" FM antenna would be preferable, but would this work ok and help somewhat. Because I really don't want to have to find another place to mount another antenna. Pretty soon my boat will start looking like the Command Station at Cape Canaveral.
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Derek Rowell
Yikes!
Some reasons I can think of: 1) On transmit, several watts worth of RF power arriving at the antenna input of your FM radio ain't going to do a whole lot of good to the input circuitry! 2) Splitters have an insertion loss and will thus degrade the performance of both VHF and FM reception. 3) Splitters are generally made for low level receiving applications and would probably self-destruct on transmit. My advice - don't do it!!! How about a "powered" FM antenna hidden in a cabinet or somewhere below? Works for me.
Some reasons I can think of: 1) On transmit, several watts worth of RF power arriving at the antenna input of your FM radio ain't going to do a whole lot of good to the input circuitry! 2) Splitters have an insertion loss and will thus degrade the performance of both VHF and FM reception. 3) Splitters are generally made for low level receiving applications and would probably self-destruct on transmit. My advice - don't do it!!! How about a "powered" FM antenna hidden in a cabinet or somewhere below? Works for me.
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Tom
Sorry, I guess the way its worded is a little
missunderstanding. I am not talking about *directly* connecting to the VHF antenna, but rather using a specialized AM/FM/VHF band separator (Shakespear Electronics makes it). West Marine and other marine stores carry it. (see the link below) Its supposed to Eliminate the need for separate AM/FM antennas. Antenna splitters let you run two radios from a single antenna without interfering with VHF performance. The Shakespeare 4357-S works with any VHF-FM antenna, including base loaded types. *VHF and AM/FM splitter *Works with base loaded antennas *includes 10' RG-62 cable, 3' RG-58 VHF cable and connector I wonder if Larry was talking about one of these things, or he was talking about directly connecting?
missunderstanding. I am not talking about *directly* connecting to the VHF antenna, but rather using a specialized AM/FM/VHF band separator (Shakespear Electronics makes it). West Marine and other marine stores carry it. (see the link below) Its supposed to Eliminate the need for separate AM/FM antennas. Antenna splitters let you run two radios from a single antenna without interfering with VHF performance. The Shakespeare 4357-S works with any VHF-FM antenna, including base loaded types. *VHF and AM/FM splitter *Works with base loaded antennas *includes 10' RG-62 cable, 3' RG-58 VHF cable and connector I wonder if Larry was talking about one of these things, or he was talking about directly connecting?
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Pete Loewenstein
Shakespeare Splitter
I successfully used the Shakespeare gizmo for many years without any problem. There was a slight reduction in VHF receiver gain (to be expected), but nothing to cause any problem. TI noticed no effect on transmit, however (high or low power). FM radio reception was significantly improved. Based on my experience, I would recommend it to others and would consider using it again myself if I ever need to (my new boat has a combo TV/FM powered antenna mounted on the top of the mast.) Perhaps others will have other experiences to share. Good Luck! Pete (s/v Sh'boom!)
I successfully used the Shakespeare gizmo for many years without any problem. There was a slight reduction in VHF receiver gain (to be expected), but nothing to cause any problem. TI noticed no effect on transmit, however (high or low power). FM radio reception was significantly improved. Based on my experience, I would recommend it to others and would consider using it again myself if I ever need to (my new boat has a combo TV/FM powered antenna mounted on the top of the mast.) Perhaps others will have other experiences to share. Good Luck! Pete (s/v Sh'boom!)
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Derek Rowell
Tom, I thought you were referring to...
... a splitter similar to those used for multiplexing cable TV outlets. I have no knowledge about the Shakespeare device. I withdraw my comments! Derek
... a splitter similar to those used for multiplexing cable TV outlets. I have no knowledge about the Shakespeare device. I withdraw my comments! Derek
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Don Alexander
Mayday?
Tom, If you ever think you might need to broadcast a MAYDAY or a MADAY RELAY from your VHF set it would be a comforting thought to know there are no additional items between the set and the antenna. Nothing to attenuate transmitted and received signals, nothing to self destruct, no additional connections to go intermittent and no possibility of a fault on a commercial broadcast receiver to interfere with your life saving messages. Sleep easy.
Tom, If you ever think you might need to broadcast a MAYDAY or a MADAY RELAY from your VHF set it would be a comforting thought to know there are no additional items between the set and the antenna. Nothing to attenuate transmitted and received signals, nothing to self destruct, no additional connections to go intermittent and no possibility of a fault on a commercial broadcast receiver to interfere with your life saving messages. Sleep easy.
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Kevin
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Tom
Thank you everyone. I think I might try adding
this little gizmo. Lets see if it helps reception any. Can anyone comment on its ability to increase AM reception? (Don your point is well taken. I think it will pretty obvious if there is an effect in adding this splitter. I think the likelyhood of this being a weak link is small. And unless it blows at the most inopportune time.....During or just before an emergency I should be OK. If it does I could remove it and directly attach my masthead antenna, or use my spare handheld)
this little gizmo. Lets see if it helps reception any. Can anyone comment on its ability to increase AM reception? (Don your point is well taken. I think it will pretty obvious if there is an effect in adding this splitter. I think the likelyhood of this being a weak link is small. And unless it blows at the most inopportune time.....During or just before an emergency I should be OK. If it does I could remove it and directly attach my masthead antenna, or use my spare handheld)
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larry w.
Splitters
Tom; Just saw this post today. I guess I'm from the Old School of KISS. I like the thought of a dedicated VHF antennae at the top of the mast to punch a signal as far as possible when needed. My present boat has a TV/FM antennae with an amplifier on the mast, but on my previous boat I used an FM car antenna laying on the shelf behind the radio. Worked well in So. Cal. Good luck.
Tom; Just saw this post today. I guess I'm from the Old School of KISS. I like the thought of a dedicated VHF antennae at the top of the mast to punch a signal as far as possible when needed. My present boat has a TV/FM antennae with an amplifier on the mast, but on my previous boat I used an FM car antenna laying on the shelf behind the radio. Worked well in So. Cal. Good luck.
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