Radio Antenna

[Tim Salkeld]

Simple enough, I am installing a new car radio/stereo in the Cat 27. The PO had a length of old wire taped into the antenna socket on the old radio. On other boats I have had the antenna wire was connected to a shroud, but the reception was really variable ( this may have been the radio) . Any suggestions or comments on what has worked for you.ThanxTim

 

[Pat]

Use your vhf antenna. West Marine has a splitter. Works great for me.

 

[sloopercat]

Auto antenna

I bought one of those stubby rubber flexible antennas from a marine store. A std car antenna needs a ground plane to work the best. Mounted it just in front of the locker. It was about 12" long or so. I would have mounted it in the locker, but was afraid I'd hook stuff on it. My radio is mounted in the bulkhead.

 

[Ron]

New Radio

Hi Tim,I just put a new radio/cd player in my 30 Cat. I bought a standard one piece auto antenna and mounted it horizontally in a locker under the seat in the main cabin area. Works great and doesn't take up any room. There is an extension wire that just plugs into the original antenna wire if you have to run any distance. Bought the antenna and entension wire at Wal-mart.Cheers.RonSV Seascape

 

[Jon W.]

Cheap and easy

I bought what's called an interior antenna at West Marine for 6 bucks. It is essentially a 40 inch length of wire that plugs into the back of the radio. I let it hang down between the hull and liner in my boat. Works fine, but I'm in a fairly strong signal area most of the time. I have used it up in your area as well, but I can't tell how it would compare with more elaborate model. It's got to be the simplest solution.

 

[Bob Camarena]

Ditto on the Splitter

I, too, bought the splitter from West Marine so as to use my VHF antenna. It works well.

 

[Bob Booth]

Radio Shack

I just put a radio/CD player in my C-27 and used a car windshield antenna from Radio Shack. It has a very thin wire on a clear backing tape that I ran along the cabin top above the windows. The other end plugs into the radio and has a box that secures the joint between the haevier wire and the very thin antemnna wire. I mounted that at the joint between the bulkhead and the cabin interior molding. Works great so far.