Hi guys, Sorry to keep you waiting on the reasons against the masthead antenna. I should have included it in the original post. Randy pretty much nailed it. Here's Gordon West's answer to that. "Although you have a clever idea, I doubt the 3db gain -- double the radio's radiated power -- from a masthead antenna that's about 18 feet higher than the handheld's antenna will give much of an increase in range. The coax cable and connector losses will also negate any potential added performance. And don't forget that the cable itself will limit the area on board where you can use your handheld. There's also a small chance that the antenna connector might damage something inside your radio." Larry On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:09:31 -0400 "John Tyner" <tynerjr@md.metrocast.net> writes:
Larry, What was the reasoning against connecting the handheld to a masthead antenna? I've been thinking of doing this myself. ~ John Tyner M-15 #412 "Chimpanzee"
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+tynerjr=md.metrocast.net@mailman.xmission.com
[mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+tynerjr=md.metrocast.net@mailman.xmissi
on.com]On Behalf Of Larry E Yake Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:53 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com; nwpotters@yahoogroups.com Subject: M_Boats: VHF boost
I found something in the latest issue of Sail mag that is actually of use to small boat sailors like us.
In the "Ask Sail" section a skipper inquired about improving the range of his handheld VHF with a masthead antenna. Their expert (Gordon West) basically shot that down, but added the following:
"A better way to improve a handheld's performance is to get a longer antenna for it. Your local marine radio store (or go to www.hamradio.com) should sell 24-inch-long flexible antennas with an SMA connector. Get one for the 2-meter band, which is close enough in frequency to the marine VHF band. Mounting one of these antennas should give you twice the range that you'll get from the standard handheld antenna."
I don't think I would want a 24" antenna on my radio all the time, but it would be nice to have one to screw on when you need the extra range.
Larry Yake M17 #200 CornDog "In a power boat you get there faster. In a sailboat you're already there."
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