Why does my 280sd have 2 VHF antennas??

[KevinReston]

Why does my 280sd (with 1 ray215 VHF and Garmin 188c GPS) have 2 VHF antennas (one on each side :smt017 )? I have the Glomax antenna for the TV antenna.

I wondered if it was for the distress call system on the Garmin but I think that shares the antenna with the Ray215.

Any ideas (thanks in advance)?

 

[JC3]

Kevin, Probably your am/fm antenna. JC

 

[KevinReston]

I wondered about that, but then wouldn't all the other 280sd's have them as well? The ones around me all have 1. Maybe the stereo upgrade has an upgraded antenna?

 

[JC3]

Kevin, Iam sure if you follow the cable it will lead to the AM/FM radio. Let me know what you find. JC

 

[CSR_Admin]

A lot of boat owners will add a 2nd antenna to the other side for symmetry, its in good taste. This antenna is typically am/fm as jc3 said.

 

[Four Suns]

Follow the wire... I have had an 8' VHF on one side and an 8' cell antenna w/amplifier on the other side for the last few years. They look identical. However... I am now putting on 16 footers for a VHF on one side and an SSB on the other and moving the cell to a 4 footer to my new center mount (with a wifi, XM, etc)

You can never have too many antennas... :grin:

 

[KevinReston]

Once again you guys were right on target. I met the former owner and he told me in passing that he had a deep desire to look like a "trucker" and installed the other antenna to get improved FM reception.

Thanks!! :smt038

 

[MLauman]

I wondered if it was for the distress call system on the Garmin but I think that shares the antenna with the Ray215.

FYI, the Garmin is not directly connected to the VHF antenna as it does not actually transmit anything. All it does is provide your GPS coordinates to the Ray via a NEMA connection and the Ray then transmits the DSC distress call.

 

[KevinReston]

Thanks for the clarification on the DSC. My Ray currently doesn't have the NEMA hooked up (it gives off that warning beep every time I turn it on). How do you get it connected? I'll start a new post in electronics....