VHF and Mast as Aerial

hookway

hookway

.
Dec 28, 2016
37
Beneteau Oceanis 400 Auckland
Hello

We have a VHF in the nav desk area. Would that be connected to the mast or should it be?

I've noticed on other yachts, the radio connected to the mast via the backstay. Is it considered to be best that it be wired up to the mast? Would that be the default and how would I tell if it is wired up to the mast or not? I see no evidence of any wiring to any stays.

Any advice welcomed.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,451
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
If it isn't connected to an antenna either on top of the mast or elsewhere, it should be. Masts are not antennas. A wire running similar to a backstab is an antenna for HF radios.

Look at the back of the radio. You should see two cables. One for power, the other a coax feedline to the antenna. Follow the latter to see where it is terminated. If it is attached to the mast, you can assume the idiot who did that likely screwed up other things on the boat as well.
 
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hookway

hookway

.
Dec 28, 2016
37
Beneteau Oceanis 400 Auckland
Don S/V ILLusion said:
If it isn't connected to an antenna either on top of the mast or elsewhere, it should be. Masts are not antennas. A wire running similar to a backstab is an antenna for HF radios.

Look at the back of the radio. You should see two cables. One for power, the other a coax feedline to the antenna. Follow the latter to see where it is terminated. If it is attached to the mast, you can assume the idiot who did that likely screwed up other things on the boat as well.
Click to expand
Hi Don

Thank you for this lead, the radio is nicely mounted in, not sure how easy it will be to follow the coax. It's entirely my misunderstanding about connection to the mast. You've helped me understand that its meant to have its own independent antenna perhaps at the top of the mast.
 
C

Calif. Ted

.
Jun 8, 2004
2,958
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Look at the top of the mast and see if there is a thin stainless wire/rod about 18" (?) sticking straight up. Get your binocs, should be sticking out of a little canister about 1.5 x 3 inches strapped to the masthead.
 
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Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
You can also pull the cover under the bottom of the mast in the salon where the mast lighting wires can be accessed and see if there is a coax cable going up the mast.
 
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J

jarcher

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May 11, 2009
52
2 MK IV Warwick, RI
Are you able to hear people on the radio? If so, it's plugged into an antenna.
 
hookway

hookway

.
Dec 28, 2016
37
Beneteau Oceanis 400 Auckland
Yes, I can hear people on the radio, and following the advice, I've identified both the coax cable and the independent antenna itself (top of mast), everything is looking good
 
J

jarcher

.
May 11, 2009
52
2 MK IV Warwick, RI
You should also make sure people can hear you. If there is a problem with the coax or the antenna you could hear people fine but not be able to transmit.
 
Last edited:
Ron20324

Ron20324

.
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Is your radio set to USA/international (or whatever it is called now) use? In other words, like on ch 78, do you also get an A: 78A? There is a difference in that the A channels use different frequencies for xmit and rcv. Older radios us one frequency for both. Somehow mine was switched (by button operation- check your manual) and someone said to check the option. Problem solved. ((( sorry, I just now saw the OP was about wiring. Thread drift. )))
 
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