What's inside the VHF antenna can

[yelkenli]

I am curious as to what is inside the VHF antenna - the can - and if I need to worry about it failing. I have the mast down on this new-to-me boat and can spend time to check it and replace it. I am thinking it could be a never-fail item. And I am curious. I struck out searching on the internet.

 

[dlochner]

It is a loading coil that makes the antenna act like it is much larger. There are of course more technical explanations, for me this is close enough.

Yes they can fail if water gets into the can or the connections corrode. Corrosion, even mild corrosion, can seriously affect the antenna's efficiency. And then there is the coax, it can and will degrade over time. Might as well replace that too.

This article may be helpful.

Easy VHF Terminations - Marine How To

If You Don't Know How to Solder..... If you really don't know how to solder a VHF PL259 connector there are other options as you'll see below. This one is laughable, except that when this owner needed his VHF it was no joke or laughing matter that it failed to transmit. The previous owner or...

marinehowto.com

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

quick and dirty way to check coil is a simple continuity test.