Broken VHF antenna, replace or fix?

fc3 said:
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.
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God, I love hockey... :lol:
 
"pull the access plates to look for it. Otherwise you'll never get the old stuff out."

On the 330 where are these plates?
 
Four Suns said:
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.
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Any particular brand/make/model you like/suggest?
 
mrsrobinson said:
"pull the access plates to look for it. Otherwise you'll never get the old stuff out."

On the 330 where are these plates?
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All over the place. There's plates on the radar arch. There are plates just aft of the helm seat below the radar arch. The are plates in the aft storage compartments. You can't miss them.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Four Suns said:
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.
Click to expand...

Question: i believe on the 320 the vhf plugs into a connector right behind the cushioned piece on the arch. how would the mini connector screw into it? I have an antenna i need to replace and i hate to pay of SR dealer $200 to do the job. Thanks for the info.
 
fc3 said:
All over the place. There's plates on the radar arch. There are plates just aft of the helm seat below the radar arch. The are plates in the aft storage compartments. You can't miss them.

Best regards,
Frank
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Gotcha....I was not aware these were called access plates.

We were on the boat today and I took a look at the antenna. We have a Shakespeare 5206 C that screws ins. Looks easy enough to replace on the mount side on the arch. Not sure where the cable travels once it goes into the arch, though we will soon find out.
 
The mini connector that Gary mentioned is at the end of the long VHF cable. There is no connector near the antenna.

To install a new antenna, you would cut the cable at the old antenna and remove the antenna. Then you would tape, with electrical tape, the new antenna wire to the old one. Remove all of the access plates, loosen the cable feed-through on the radar arch where the cable enters the arch, and remove the VHF from the helm. Starting at the access plate closest to the antenna, start to pull the antenna wire into the boat. Once you have most of it pulled in at that point, move to the next access plate and begin pulling until you again have most of the cable pulled to that point. Continue until you reach the VHF. Before you begin pulling, remove any straps, clamps, or cable ties. After pulling, replace the hold downs and ties.

Best regards,
Frank
 
fc3 said:
The mini connector that Gary mentioned is at the end of the long VHF cable. There is no connector near the antenna.

To install a new antenna, you would cut the cable at the old antenna and remove the antenna. Then you would tape, with electrical tape, the new antenna wire to the old one. Remove all of the access plates, loosen the cable feed-through on the radar arch where the cable enters the arch, and remove the VHF from the helm. Starting at the access plate closest to the antenna, start to pull the antenna wire into the boat. Once you have most of it pulled in at that point, move to the next access plate and begin pulling until you again have most of the cable pulled to that point. Continue until you reach the VHF. Before you begin pulling, remove any straps, clamps, or cable ties. After pulling, replace the hold downs and ties.

Best regards,
Frank
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Frank, so sorry for sounding stupid, but it looks like on my 320, removing the access panel behind the helm seat, the cushioned one, there is a gold twist connector. My fellow 320 owner told me that is the VHF antenna connector. If this is right, I would only need to pull to that point, right? But, I guess I'd have to use a standard twist connector in lieu of the mini connector. Unless there is some type of an adapter!

Does this sound right? Thanks
 
I doubt it is for the VHF. Is the cable the same color and markings as the VHF's cable near the antenna? Could it be for the tv antenna?
 
fc3 said:
I doubt it is for the VHF. Is the cable the same color and markings as the VHF's cable near the antenna? Could it be for the tv antenna?
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Hmmm, yes belive it or not it is the same color, but i didn't look close enough i guess to determine if it had vhf markings.

if i go with a digital with the mini connector, will i need any other connectors or adapters to screw it into the back? thanks for taking the time to help us out.
 
There are a variety of sub-mini connectors that can be used. I forget the number for the ones used in this application. I'll try and find it.
Best regards,
Frank
 
The small connectors used by Digital Antenna are 50 Ohm mini UHF connectors. I believe they are made (or ones just like it) by Amphenol (sp?) and can be purchased from Newark.com along with the appropriate dies for crimping. Here is a link to to the part numbers from Digital Antenna:

http://www.digitalantenna.com/prods/connectors.html

The type-N plugs into your VHF radio. You may want to poke around the Digital Antenna site as they discuss the other types of cables.

Your connector behind the access panel on the arch may be a factory installed splice. Sea Ray puts splices on the electronics cables (at least on some boats) so the electronics can be disconnected when removing/installing the arch. However, introducing a connector in the middle of a cable that will never be undone is introducing a point that can corrode over time. For example, my KVH TracVision 4 comes with connectors and a pigtail that connects the antenna down to the controller in the salon. Because Sea Ray, in their infinite wisdom, needed to have the hardtop be "removable" on my 480, they introduced another 25-50 foot pigtail with a connection such that it could be "easily" disconnected. The 100 feet of coax and 18 guage wire then proceeds to lose voltage and signal because of the length and causes the antenna to act stupid if the battery gets anywhere near 12v.

If you are going to put in a new antenna, you could just tie into that splice BUT i would recommend running a clean single wire directly from the new antenna to the radio.

My 2 cents.
 
So I went to West Marine and took a look at antennas. On Gary's advise I also picked up a nice pair of compass binoculars they have on sale. Damn, since meeting Gary on here I had to get a 2nd job delivering Pizzas to cover all the new boating purchases.

The employee, like Gary, said we can get away with a 4 foot antenna since we already have height with the radar arch. He also said for the Bay the 4 foot one should be plenty enough as the signal on the Bay is much stronger than where our boat is now. I asked him if height is important and he said not really on the Bay, especially since we have added height with the radar arch.

He showed me an all metal Shakespeare Galaxy and said that was one of their best. Honestly I am sure what to compare to know good, better or best. What #'s/specs should I be looking at and what should I try to get?

Thanks,
 
I am only advocating a short 4 foot antenna IF you are always leaving your 8 foot antenna angled back so you don't hit things. Having height is a good thing... but it sounds like with all the bridges you deal with, a 4 footer is the way to go... and a 4 footer will generally be fine on the bay.

As a side note, the ideal set up is to have two VHF radios with one hooked to a small 3-6 dB antenna for short range and a tall 9-10 dB antenna for long range.... but I love antennas...
 
AKBASSKING said:
I tend to look at it from a safety point of view. My playground is in Alaska and having a broken antenna could be a safety issue with me or my family.
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I agree, never know when you may need it. I spent 2.5 years at Fort Greely in Delta Junction, loved the place!
 
What Gary said plus:

Longer is better, more dB gain is better, but the antenna must be vertical for gain to have the desired effect. Gain works by focusing transmitter output (it does nothing for reception) in an annulus perpendicular to the radiator. If the radiator is at an angle, so is the output, which means part of it is focused down into the water, some if focused up into space, and a little goes where it might do some good.

Don't get more than 6 db gain on a small boat. The radiation pattern is so flat at 9+ dB that rocking will affect it, possibly making your signal fade in and out to someone distant.

Best regards,
Frank
 
think i got all that, but you have to admit, the antenna looks better leaned back a bit, makes it look like you're going really really fast!!!!!!
 
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