VHF Antenna, How Well Do Short Whip Antennas Work For Small Boat?

[MonacoMike]

I want to put a fixed VHF radio in my open bow and really do not want a huge antenna. Will an antenna like this be far better than a handheld connected to a 25 watt radio?

http://www.boemarine.com/shakespeare-5250-ais-36-low-profile-ais-stainless-steel-whip-antenna/

MM

 

[fc3]

Should work, but because it's short, it only give 3db of gain whereas an 8' 5/8 wave antenna has 6db gain. More gain is good but if you stay close to populated shores, you might get away with 3db or even unity gain figures.

 

[blaster]

The whip antenna is a popular choice on the stretch of river I run. Don't expect to transmit more than about 3-5 miles though.

 

[MonacoMike]

Thanks for the replies. Would a 4 foot fiberglass be better than a stainless whip?

MM

 

[Bob & Sue]

Thanks for the replies. Would a 4 foot fiberglass be better than a stainless whip?

MM

You would be able to transmit and receive a longer distance depending on the curvature of the body of water & land mass around you. You'd also get 4.5db gain with this one.

http://www.amazon.com/ANTENNA-feet-4-5DB-GAIN-White/dp/B000MMD6C0

I tried one earlier this year when we moved to a boat house & dumb me kept forgetting to put the 8 footer down breaking the tip off when it slammed the door. I went back to an 8' antenna.