What can I expect in performance gain VHF?

[Tally Ho]

Bad, this is ”water under the bridge” advice; however, you should have checked your old setup with a SWR meter before replacement. The old equipment may have been satisfactory. I purchase a SWR meter 10 years ago for approximately $20 on Amazon/Ebay when working on my rig. As @Don S/V ILLusion advised, you’re really going to have to check your rig with a SWR meter to determine if there are problems with the cable, antenna, & connectors.

Do you need a digital SWR meter, or is an analog OK ?

Greg

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Do you need a digital SWR meter, or is an analog OK ?

Greg

It shouldn’t matter unless someone needs very precise data. For this purpose, any will suffice.

 

[Michael Davis]

Radios can be funny things. A couple of years ago we were sailing off the west coast of Vancouver Island we could not receive any Canadian weather reports but we did get bar reports for the Columbia River and weather for Coos Bay. Not usual for VHF to bounce like that but it happens.

 

[BigEasy]

Do you need a digital SWR meter, or is an analog OK ?

Greg

The one that I puchasd approximately 15 years ago was analog. Good enough for my purpose.

 

[colemj]

I have this one and it works well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D86IKIQ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Coupled with a dummy load and you can determine any VHF issue. Amazon.com

Mark

 

[BAD ORCA]

I have this one and it works well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D86IKIQ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Coupled with a dummy load and you can determine any VHF issue. Amazon.com

Mark

Thats the one I just ordered.

 

[BAD ORCA]

VHF is line of sight, so you won't get greater distance from improved cabling and fittings. About the best you can get is 20-25 miles to another boat and that depends in part on how high their antenna is.

What you get is more transmitting power, or perhaps more accurately less loss in you transmitting power and less loss in receiving. This means someone 20 or 25 miles out (about the limit for VHF) will hear you more clearly and you will hear them more clearly. That doesn't matter until it matters, for instance if you are having an emergency and need help. It is also less frustrating when trying to connect to someone.

6.5: Line-of-Sight Transmission

eng.libretexts.org

Little side note, That LibreTexts site is great! Nice reference to link. Going to go through the Engineering modules.