Broken VHF antenna, replace or fix?

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
While going under a railroad bridge last season, I got lazy and did not lower the VHF antenna. It snapped, breaking off about 1-2 feet. The cable is dangling out now and I have just left it like that.

I do not know if I need to replace the antenna or if it can be capped and repaired. Suggestions? Reception seems OK and I cannot notice any difference.

It's the antenna on the starboard side attached to the radar arch in the pic above (with the flag on it, yup, lost the flag too).

2403582295


2403582295
 
Replace it before Gary sees it.
Best regards,
Frank
 
The length of the wire in the antenna is crucial to its performance in each frequency band. even though it works, it is most likely degraded. I do not see this arepairable, and new antennas are pretty reasonable. I would replace it. If you read the cellular link it is time to replace it with a dual antenna.

briman
 
Replace it it is. Now, the next question. Does the cable from the VHF unit plug into the antenna somewhere or is the cable continuous from the unit to the top of the antenna?
 
One piece from the antenna to the connector at the VHF. Pull the access plates and use the old cable to pull the new one though by cutting the old cable off the antenna.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Ha! Ha! I don't know where you boat in Virginia but I grew up coastal boating with my dad around savannah and ocean where length is everything.

However, I live in north GA now and a few weeks ago was laying her in the slip so smooth it would have impressed any captain. Except for this annoying creek that sounded like I was pulling the dock apart :) I was confused at first because I was not touching either side of my 12 x 30 covered slip.

Then I saw my 8 foot whip antennae bent back in the roof. Popped about a foot and a half off of the fiberglass sheath around the wire.

I will replace it eventually, but for now, i went to Ace Hardware and found a cap and capped it. I'm on a lake with small hills/mountains. I don't need the full 8 foot whip but do understand how VHF works and the reason for it. For now, I just don't worry about it and think the next time I do that, it probably won't snap as I've already got that behind me.

Cheers!!!! Just know you ain't the first and far from the last!!!!!!

John
:grin:
 
mrsrobinson said:
Any idea how long the cable is? Are lengths standard when you buy the antenna?
Click to expand...
No idea how long the cable is, but it's longer than you'll need. I think on mine, Sea Ray just bundled up the excess and stuffed it in behind the access panel aft of the helm seat. I think I remember seeing it there when I ran the antenna wire for the Sirius radio. Since they might have left the excess there on your boat, too, pull the access plates to look for it. Otherwise you'll never get the old stuff out.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Frank's advice is very good on trying to use the old cable to pull a new one through. One of the issues you'll have to deal with first though is cut any of the tie wraps and clear any tie downs with the corrugated shielding so it can go through smoothly.

I'm a fan of the Digital Antenna brand as I think their fiberglass finishes are nicer. Also, they use a mini connector that is pre installed that is the same diameter as the wire. Trying to fish the big connector that connects to the back of the radio through is not always possible and if you don't have the tools to do a proper crimp or solder, you *will* have problems down the road (and you'll find out about them when you get in rough seas). The Digital Antenna mini connector screws into the big connector that goes on the VHF... it's very nice.

The other thing you may want to consider is a shorter antenna (like a 4 foot 6 db) if you are always running around with an 8 footer angled back so you don't hit stuff. You'll get better reception with a 4 foot vertical than an 8 foot angled.
 
Powerboat Reports tested the digital antenna and it was better than anything else on the market. When I had to replace the antenna on my last boat, I put a Digital Antenna on it and the radio's performance improved notably. Worth a few extra dollars.

Best regards,
Frank
 
fc3 said:
Powerboat Reports tested the digital antenna and it was better than anything else on the market. When I had to replace the antenna on my last boat, I put a Digital Antenna on it and the radio's performance improved notably. Worth a few extra dollars.
Click to expand...

Obviously the "shiny finish" doesn't add to performance.. I have to wonder if Digital's attention to connector and cable quality is what gives them the edge. Shakespear seems to really push the DIY crimp-it-and-forget-it connectors and those that crimp/solder connectors regularly know that is the usual point of degradation. Just my thoughts... which are drug induced at the moment.
 
Morphine? The morphine was pretty good when I was in the hospital two years ago for my jaw.

Digital uses a copper radiator instead of running the unshielded coax up the antenna like Shakespeare does on some. Better connections, too. I forgot most of what I learned of RF propagation. Lack of use and all of that. Not much RF when doing systems for pharma.

Best regards,
Frank
 
No morphine... but I did read the pills have a street value of $100 a piece... YOOO HOOO!
 
They probably charge the insurance company twice that.
 
Four Suns said:
No morphine... but I did read the pills have a street value of $100 a piece... YOOO HOOO!
Click to expand...

Uh hey Gary....do you have any refills? ; - )

I'm not an antenna expert, I think Shakespeare suggests using only the length of coax needed to connect to the radio. ie cut off excess with reason. When I replaced my antenna several years ago (used it for a slip roof feeler) I also bought an SWR meter for VHF radios through West Marine.

I used the gold solder connector and had very little resistance show on the meter. The transmit was much more clear to others and reception was far better than S/R's factory antenna.
 
So in addition to buying antenna I will need to buy some installation tools? Currently in Winston-Salem watching the USA/France Davis Cup matches...go USA!
 
mrsrobinson said:
So in addition to buying antenna I will need to buy some installation tools? Currently in Winston-Salem watching the USA/France Davis Cup matches...go USA!
Click to expand...

Probably not. The Digital Antenna antenna has an easy to install connector. There are others other connectors are solder on, some are twist on, and others are crimp on. The tool you'll need depends on the connector. Most antennas come with connectors that can be installed without specialized tools.

Let france have the cup. We have lots of cups and their economy is in worse shape than ours. We can afford another cup. So why fight over Dave's? Seems silly.

Best regards,
Frank
 
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