VHF for H260

[George H260]

Recently purchased a Hunter 260. Intend to trailer a lot. Trying to decide between handheld and cabin mounted VHF. Seems to me stepping the mast and putting the windex in is hard enough without trying to figure how to install the antenna too. I know there will be a significat difference in range, but I use the radio primarily for communicating with dock master. What is the concensus?

 

[John Baumgartner]

both would be good

for my money I have a fixed below decks with a ram mike all the way aft, and a handheld as a backupBaums RushHunter 260

 

[Tom]

Same here...

Fixed VHF, with Ram and mast head antenna.I often don't even turn the radio on, but I'm glad to know its there if I need it. Also depends on your sailing grounds. If you are in protected, water not going too far from the people you need to talk to, then a hand held will get you by just fine. Fair winds,Tom

 

[Frank Ladd]

Handheld

I use it to talk to dockmasters, bridge tenders and boats I can see so the handheld works bes for me.

 

[Jonathan Costello]

Both for me

I installed a mast mount antenna Shakespere squatty body. There are some good depictions of similar installations in the photo forum. I also have a hand-held for a back-up since a mast mount antenna doesn't do you any good if you're mast is in the water! I sail in bays of the Gulf of Mexico so I am farther from land and keep mine on all the time. It really depends on where you sail. If you are on a lake then a handheld would probably suffice. Any more than that I would go with a full power fixed mount VHF with a mast mounted antenna.

 

[Dave Crowley]

I'd go with the fixed mount, at least

George,In your area, especially the bay, I'd have more than a hand-held on board. If you ever needed to call for assistance at the tip if Old Mission I'm not sure the hand held would get far enough to reach anyone. (Maybe Elk Rapids, but...) If you ever have a desire to head up to Petosky or Mackinaw (and who wouldn't, given where you live? ) you'd want a mast-mount.The initital installation isn't that bad and the resulting 'connection' is a simple electrical connection at the base of the mast - I have one for the antenna, one for the lights and one for the anemometer and it's not a problem to step/unstep the mast even with all of that. Dave Crowleys/v Wind Dreamer

 

[alan]

Get both, the portable should be waterproof...

...as the other's have said. When alone, with the kids, at night, in foul weather and the more I read internet horror stories, I strap the hand held to my pfd. I like to keep at least one radio on at all times to monitor channel 16. alan

 

[George H260]

H260 VHF Antenna

Is there a short antenna that can remain permanently attached to the H260 mast so that it does not get in the way when trailering or stepping/lowering the mast?

 

[alan]

yes and some attach one to the rails...

...instead of placing it at the mast head but this will reduce transmission greatly. alan

 

[Bill and Nancy Berg]

Easy to trailer

We have the masthead Shakespear and leave it on the mast all the time. We do not remove it to trailer., (up to 1000 miles). The range for a hand held is about 5 miles or so ,the mast head is 25-50 or so depending on the conditions. That should give you an idea of what you need. Also does your area have good cell service? If so, use the handheld for the bridges, and the phone for emergencies.

 

[Mark]

No is doesn't much Alan

Most of the gain you get going to the top of the mast is lost in the length of the cable needed.I have our antenna mounted on the stern rail.Our range? About 250 miles. Repeaters help and besides just how far out would you go on a 260?

 

[alan]

I was thinking more line of sight.

My antenna is also on the stern rail seats. Those long distance transmissions we both get are bounced but not considered effective for two way communications for marine vhf which is line of sight. Of course you are correct that there is loss of signal strength with a longer cable. However, gain is a function of a particular antenna. I don't understand it too well except to say "a higher gain" focuses the transmission into a narrower beam. With too high a gain the motion of the sea will take a narrowly focused beam and shoot one side to the moon and another into the sea. The bottom line is that a taller antenna is better.One additional thought; it's not a bad idea to have an emergency antenna aboard. alan