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10-16-2018, 11:56 AM
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#1
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Veteran Member
City: Dana Point, Ca
Vessel Name: Adventure
Vessel Model: Offshore 62
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 81
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VHF antenna for inflatable
Hello everyone,
I am looking to mount a SMALL vhf antenna on the console of my inflatable. The console is small and there is really no good place to put it that doesn't interfere with hand holds etc. A longer one also will be problematic when hoisting it up and down from the upper deck.
I understand the longer the better for reception. The reality is that I plan on using it for communication with the big boat and for emergency reasons. I currently use a hand held, but I have forgotten it on more than one occasion.
I thought I remember seeing an 18" fiberglass one, but maybe I am confusing it with the similar AM/FM radio antenna??
Thanks in advance!
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10-16-2018, 12:11 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Cypress Landing Marina (NC)
Vessel Name: Heron (2)
Vessel Model: '88 Cape Dory 28 Flybridge #115
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,305
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Lots of short, base loaded sailboat antennas on the market. Generally stainless whips of 2-3 feet or so on a matching base...Flexible and compact
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Steve
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10-16-2018, 12:48 PM
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#3
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TF Site Team
City: Westerly, RI
Vessel Name: N/A
Vessel Model: 1999 Mainship 350 Trawler
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,154
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10-16-2018, 12:58 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
City: NW Washington State
Vessel Name: Kingfisher
Vessel Model: 37' converted gillnetter/crabber
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 442
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I agree with Steve. If you're just using it for local mothership communications a small stainless whip would be perfect. Remember that such antennae are hazardous; they radiate enough RF energy to cause burns. You and any passengers need to be mindful that the antenna is a "no hand hold" object.
__________________
Anson & Donna
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. ~The Dalai Lama
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10-16-2018, 01:07 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Southwest MI
Vessel Name: Sobelle
Vessel Model: C-Dory 22 Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,229
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I would just stick with the hand held. Mount a holder for it somewhere that you can see it so you will know if the radio is onboard before you depart.
https://www.amazon.com/SOFT-Handheld.../dp/B00JGX4D0U
A fixed mount radio with a fixed antenna sounds like a bit of overkill IMO.
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10-16-2018, 01:23 PM
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#6
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Technical Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
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My vote is to stick with the handheld too.
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10-16-2018, 01:35 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,068
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Handheld. And stop forgetting it. Belt clips usually work OK.
-Chris
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Chesapeake Bay, USA
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10-16-2018, 02:00 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,947
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Handheld only. Handheld to high boat antenna is several miles range easy.
We use a soft cooler bag from Walmart. Everything goes in there for the dinghy, including the handheld, flares, reg, spark plugs, essential tools, flashlight, sunscreen, etc. Grab it and growl.
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
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10-16-2018, 06:19 PM
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#9
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Veteran Member
City: Dana Point, Ca
Vessel Name: Adventure
Vessel Model: Offshore 62
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 81
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Hello all,
Thanks for the replies. Yes, it probably would be easier to have a handheld and remember it. The reality is that with guests on the boat, people come and go on the inflatable. It is a matter of time before it gets forgotten, lost, or the battery runs down.
I had a recent experience recently in the Bahamas where one of my guests was going to take the inflatable offshore and troll for Dorado. On the last trip returning guests from the beach the prop spun. It really opened my eyes to what may have happened if they had disappeared in the inflatable and spun the prop and forgot the handheld.
After being a fireman for 30 years, I am guilty of overdoing it. A hard mounted VHF takes any human element out of the equation.
I plan on leaving Florida in March and leaving the boat in Panama and Costa Rica. I will be in some very remote areas and am trying to eliminate any problems.
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10-16-2018, 06:51 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Galveston, Texas
Vessel Model: 24" El Pescador
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 743
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__________________
Ken Diestler
Galveston, Tx
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10-16-2018, 07:23 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,947
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Shakespeare makes several 3 foot antennas. I have personally used their 4400 antenna with excellent results on my 17 ft center console. The tip is only 6 feet off the water and have talked to the CG 10 miles away easily. Very durable and easy to mount.
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
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10-16-2018, 08:15 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
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You can probably also mount a stainless whip and use an adapter to connect a hand held to the whip.
For those times your range from the mothership increases.
Good range with flexibility.
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10-16-2018, 08:47 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: West Coast
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,789
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I just replaced my dinghy with one (actually, exact same model as I had before) from the place from which I bought my last one. Last time, against their advice, they delivered with a 4' (I think) whip, as I wanted longer range communication than a handheld length would provide. This time, I took their advice and took a handheld length antenna (6" ? rubber ducky?). I really don't need any longer range and the longer antenna always got in the way.
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10-16-2018, 09:45 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: SoCal and Vancouver Island
Vessel Name: Tortuga
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 63
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 748
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If you have a console on which to mount it, use a 3’ - 4’ antennae on a pivoting mount. Swing it down when you load and store the tender. This length is a “real” antenna for range and is the tip is high enough to not poke anyone in the face. Easy to swing it down to store. A nice stainless pivoting mount is about $50 and worth it.
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10-17-2018, 05:34 AM
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#15
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
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Pretty sure a higher gain antenna is not just so much for distance, but clearer comms snd the ability to overcome weaker signals from other stations that may clutter yours.
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10-17-2018, 06:07 AM
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#16
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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Perhaps a covering of red shrink tubing would stop some RF burns for folks that use the whip as a hand hold?
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10-17-2018, 07:04 AM
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#17
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Guru
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,068
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Freespool
Yes, it probably would be easier to have a handheld and remember it. The reality is that with guests on the boat, people come and go on the inflatable. It is a matter of time before it gets forgotten, lost, or the battery runs down.
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Maybe have several handhelds, then, and a check-list for using the dinghy, stuff to take, how to "manage" some of the stuff, etc.
-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA
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10-17-2018, 07:06 AM
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#18
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Guru
City: Chicago/Montrose Harbor
Vessel Name: Sea Jay
Vessel Model: Non Trawler ;-) Ask me if it matters LOL
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 512
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I’m more wary of a whip in the eye. Put a tennis ball on the end please
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10-17-2018, 10:18 AM
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#19
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Guru
City: Inside Passage Summer/Columbia River Winter
Vessel Name: Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Model: 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 8,046
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Here is what mine looks like. I mounted it on the aft handhold, then fold it down when I put the cover on.
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10-17-2018, 12:04 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
City: Vancouver
Vessel Name: Sea Q
Vessel Model: Westport Mc Queen
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 225
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ktdtx
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That's what I have they are great
Use one for the VHF and one for a regular FM radio (works)
They are both mounted to the roll bar but the dingy is also 19 feet long
If you don't have a place to mount out of the way I think a dedicated portable that is mounted in a charging cradle under the dash.
I always leave a smart charger on the dingy battery's when it is stored away that might be a good idea also
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