VHF antenna advice

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williamabernathy

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Hi, All,

Seeking VHF antenna advice – probably in Billy III's lane but open to anyone.

My antenna is a 14' two-piece Shakespeare (I had mistakenly said it was 8' in an earlier thread). I found the coax jacket cracked between the antenna's base and the boat's bulkhead, and the braid is frayed (though still connected). That's clearly a NoGo, so I am looking at replacing the antenna.

I favor Digital over Shakespeare's Galaxy series. I also favor a 6db antenna over an 8 or 9db, so I'm looking at the 8' Digital 529-VW (acknowledging that “6db" is a relative term used by marketing departments).

So here's my question: I'd like to mount the 8' Digital onto the 8' base section of the Shakespeare, in effect using the old base section as an antenna extension for added height and keeping the same mounting and bracing hardware. I am nearly certain that the top (male) connector on the Shakespeare's base section is the standard 1"-14 thread, which should fit the female base on the Digital.

Does this make sense, or should I ditch the entire Shakespeare antenna and buy a Digital extension, too? Function trumps appearance to me (since a new Digital antenna atop an old Shakespeare base might look kinda funky).

Thanks very much for your thoughts.

V/R
 
6 or 9db is not just marketing hype, it's the gain or improvement over an antenna that broadcasts evenly in all directions. The only way to get that improvement is to shape the radiation pattern so more energy is sent horizontally and less up and down.

To do that many antennas, especially boat antennas where there isn't a good symmetrical ground plane are designed for center feed where the signal is injected in the middle of two elements one going up and one going down. In any case the design is based on a specific length from the cable feed so the addition of a segment from the old antenna will detune the new antenna and decrease performance, possibly enough to damage the radio. In short don't do it.
 
Cheap me had the same problem with my 18 footers. I used some white electrical tape on the coax and it works just fine.

But, I also sanded the fuzziness off mine and painted it with white Rustoleum. It works just fine.

Maybe I am cheaper than most but it doesn't bother me when I consider the cost of a new 18 footer.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Doc

Cheap me had the same problem with my 18 footers. I used some white electrical tape on the coax and it works just fine.

But, I also sanded the fuzziness off mine and painted it with white Rustoleum. It works just fine.

Maybe I am cheaper than most but it doesn't bother me when I consider the cost of a new 18 footer.
------------------------

New is not always better.

Click to expand...
 
I have a 529-VW from digital it's a VHF backup works great. I know it's a standard threaded marine mount, I'm not sure about the base section of your Shakespear. Perhaps their website might tell you? I have a gut feeling they will mate.
Frayed coaxial cable and a damaged outer jacket will be a problem if it isn't already it allows water into the cable.
Bill
 
Several years ago I backed into my covered slip with the antenna slightly higher than it's normal position. After the snap noise of course it was too late, broken 8' Shakespear (sp) fiberglass antenna. What to do since it broke right at the base ? Slid the remaining 7 1/2 ft of fiberglass off of the wire, (which is the business part of the antenna). This wire had round foam spacers to keep the wire centered in the fiberglass. Cut the fiberglass clean where it had broke, reattached it to the threaded base,(epoxy) slid the wire back in and never looked back. Never changed the length of the wire, and since the wire was shorter than the fiberglass it went back without any kinks. Worked perfectly. I made sure the antenna angle was never re adjusted after that episode.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mdoherty

6 or 9db is not just marketing hype, it's the gain or improvement over an antenna that broadcasts evenly in all directions. The only way to get that improvement is to shape the radiation pattern so more energy is sent horizontally and less up and down.

To do that many antennas, especially boat antennas where there isn't a good symmetrical ground plane are designed for center feed where the signal is injected in the middle of two elements one going up and one going down. In any case the design is based on a specific length from the cable feed so the addition of a segment from the old antenna will detune the new antenna and decrease performance, possibly enough to damage the radio. In short don't do it.

Click to expand...

I think he was talking about the conversation we had about dbi vs dbd measurements that we had in our last VHF antenna thread. Yes 9dbi antennas work better than 6dbi as long as your not a sail boater!
Bill
 
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