VHF antenna mast mounting
- Thread starter jimconn
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,538
Hi Jim. Welcome to the SBO Forum.
Generally, one tries to mount the antenna as high as possible to give you the longest range with the radio. This leads to putting the antenna at the top of the mast. Since you want to minimze the weigth aloft, the type of antenna comes into play. Most use a stacked coil with a wire whip of about 3 ft.
It can look something like this.
In this image the owner just taped the antenna to a pole. You can get a bracket that will mount on the side of your mast with screws. You will need to drill a couple of holes and tap the holes for machine screws. Pretty straight forward DIY project. Easy if the mast is near the ground. It can be a bit of a challenge if you try and climb the mast to do the work.
That question can stir a bit of a debate.
Generally, one tries to mount the antenna as high as possible to give you the longest range with the radio. This leads to putting the antenna at the top of the mast. Since you want to minimze the weigth aloft, the type of antenna comes into play. Most use a stacked coil with a wire whip of about 3 ft.
It can look something like this.
In this image the owner just taped the antenna to a pole. You can get a bracket that will mount on the side of your mast with screws. You will need to drill a couple of holes and tap the holes for machine screws. Pretty straight forward DIY project. Easy if the mast is near the ground. It can be a bit of a challenge if you try and climb the mast to do the work.
Go back to Don's question.
If you are re-stepping your mast often I wouldn't want a mast head antenna at all. Especially if you are using the boat in coastal waters. It's hard enough to keep the antenna from damage in the stepping/unstrepping process. Why bother if you only need a range of 10 miles or less?
If you are re-stepping your mast often I wouldn't want a mast head antenna at all. Especially if you are using the boat in coastal waters. It's hard enough to keep the antenna from damage in the stepping/unstrepping process. Why bother if you only need a range of 10 miles or less?
On my marconi rigs I used something like what is in the link below. I was cruising the Great Lakes and range was important. I drilled a hole in the mast at the top and bottom for the cable which ran inside the mast. If you go that route it is important to do something to stop the cable from slapping against the mast, which can be a problem if sleeping aboard. If you are on an inland lake and not far from help, I would consider mounting the antenna on the stern rail or even going with a handheld. Now days I only daysail and don't go more than 3 or 4 miles away so I rely on a handheld and my cell phone
Available at most Marine Stores
Not seeing your mast head seatup I cant say for sure but this would be the way I go if your deadset on mounting to the Masthead
I would mount to the stern rail on either the Port or Starboard Quarter
