Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Mon Jul 19, 2021 2:18 pm

Me current VHF antenna is worn and the mount for the antenna is broken, so I'm going to get a new one as VTS have had difficulty hearing me.
I don't really want to break the bank of it, I dont go more than 4miles offshore at any point, nor would I on current boat.
Would this be ok? https://marineparts.ie/supergain-task-r ... nna-530mm/
I have a 7 meter motor boat.

Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:10 pm

I think Whip aerials doe not have the same range as GRP aerials. But, if you are only working inshore you should be fine.

Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:01 pm

Thanks Jim, MP dont have those ones above in stock, so I'm going to go for this, seems a little better spec'd.
https://marineparts.ie/supergain-capri- ... ss-3db-6m/

Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:29 pm

Also, would I get away with repairing my current one?

The problem is I cant receive a signal, I can transmit and then can hear me, I just cant hear them.
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Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:15 am

So, Coastguard radio can hear you transmitting but you cannot hear the reply? Strange.
Could your problem be with the radio unit?

Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Wed Jul 21, 2021 11:44 am

Yes. All was working until last week (I think, never called CG before that) They had to call the CG on Tue evening but couldnt hear the reply,
ended up calling on the phone. The confirmed that they could hear me but I couldn't hear them. The the same thing happened with Dublin VTS in reverse.
I never had any issues with hearing them before but now, but Saturday, when I was just out about a mile from the VTS station I could hear them, but they couldn't hear me!
I could hear other boats in the area, they could hear me, so it seemed to be a range thing.

I can hear VTS fine in the marina until I get out to sea.

Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Wed Jul 21, 2021 12:43 pm

If you unit is set to 1W or "low power" that would hamper your range.

Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Wed Jul 21, 2021 6:01 pm

HI, yes, the unit is normally set to low (I used it mostly in the marina) but I think during the test with the CG yesterday in the marina I switched to high
and the same issue happened.

Re: Thoughts on a new VHF antenna

Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:54 am

Fit new antenna, no difference!