Having lost the metal antenna part of my RIB Raider in some rough stuff last weekend (not an uncommon problem (http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?p=193013#post193013) with these aerials it would seem!) I just bought a replacement.
It looks like the base has been redesigned completely and the antenna part looks like it might be permanently fixed in. If it is fixed in then it looks like the problem might have been acknowledged and fixed!
This presents a new problem however, in that it isn't going to be so easy to remove in order to get it under the over hanging trees on our road!
I'll get some pics up for comparison when I get home from work and get it out the packet.
Stephen Luxton 27 July 2007, 11:29 Must be very recent as I bought one only about 3 months ago and it was very detachable!
Must be very recent as I bought one only about 3 months ago and it was very detachable!
Me too, my original one was only bought in March!
simmons0 27 July 2007, 12:18 Bought one a month ago and the only difference I could see was that the aerial has a thick bit of plastic around the bottom of it making it whip around less.
The Garfish 27 July 2007, 12:53 and it was very detachable!
dats a yewneek desine feeture yew nobbur. jus like dem powtayter pealer nives dat woz maid in cammerflarjed culors sow dat yew cudunt sea de fkkers wen yew dropt dem inn de bowel ov tayter pealins
thers millyons ov dem airials sleapin wiv de fishis. thay arr keepin de millyons ov toobular rayder reeflecters dat av bost ofn ther fkin brakkits cumpany
inn de cumpany bordrewms ov de werld itts corld deesined inn repeet sails stratigy
att de rissk ov upsetin orl dem nobburs wiv yammerhar hdpis ( nar onn sekund thorts fuk em) i wud saiy dat yammerhar av bin doin itt forr yeers
wiv a hdpi itts nott a kwestiun ov ifn itts blowws itts jus a kwestiun ov wen:eek:
gaRf
Here's the difference:
Old
28860
New
28861
I hope the coax connection is the same... it looks the same but the screw collar that holds the bullet connector in might be a bit deeper on the new one. Also, the nut on the base of the new one doesn't tighten right up against the base which means it might need a washer to keep it tight through the A-frame plate.
I hope the coax connection is the same... it looks the same but the screw collar that holds the bullet connector in might be a bit deeper on the new one. Also, the nut on the base of the new one doesn't tighten right up against the base which means it might need a washer to keep it tight through the A-frame plate.
How did the swap go? Was the coax connection the same?
The metal support round the base of my whip snapped last time I was out so it looks like i'll be swapping it for the all new version.
alexm 15 August 2007, 07:35 How did the swap go? Was the coax connection the same?
The metal support round the base of my whip snapped last time I was out so it looks like i'll be swapping it for the all new version.
I've not done it yet... I'll let you know after this weekend!
Scrumdown 17 August 2007, 22:13 Just seen this on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VHF-aerial-for-RIB-Rigid-Inflatable-Boat_W0QQitemZ260148746325QQihZ016QQcategoryZ15263 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
might interest somebody here? I've got one on my rib excellent recepetion around here.
alexm 19 August 2007, 16:07 I've not done it yet... I'll let you know after this weekend!
Right... well there is good news and bad news...
Good News:
The connector is exactly the same and the new design is a straight swap for the old.
29374
Bad News:
Although it looks all moulded it isn't. After 30 mins in the rough stuff a plastic grommit started riding up the antenna with all the waggling!! :mad:
The antenna itself still seems very firm and doesn't come out, but why on earth would they make it with a stupid push-fit plastic grommet?? I think I might write to Vtronix and ask them as an aerial specifically marketed for RIBs shouldn't start falling apart less than an hour after fitting it! :@
29375
wavelength 19 August 2007, 18:48 hmm I have exactly the same results with mine, a blob of silicon may stop that plastic thingie rideing up- is yours transmitting & receiving ok? I seem to have a problem somewhere with mine and the radio is back on the emergency aerial on the consol at the moment. Joints look ok at radio end, I suspect its not connecting into the aerial itself correctly. When I get time I'll have a look.
alexm 19 August 2007, 18:56 Mine seems to be transmitting and receiving ok, although I haven't really had an opportunity to test it fully yet...
What's the issue with yours? Weak signal? Or totally dead?
wavelength 20 August 2007, 22:31 its fine now- the co-ax needed shoving firmly into base before tightening the finger nut thingie. Must put blob of silicon on that grommet though cos its annoying me.
it isn't going to be so easy to remove
I also need to lower the antenna on this boat to store it. I just undo the plastic nut on the base, slide the co-ax out thru the slot in the mounting bracket and then put it all back inverted and spin the plastic nut on a few threads.
The aerial looks to be an improvement on the old design but only time will tell :)
alexm 01 September 2007, 08:28 Good job I haven't drafted my letter yet...
The whole thing has snapped off at the base now!
By brother sent this via MMS so I haven't seen the damage in person yet... more details to follow! :@
Colin F 01 September 2007, 16:47 mine has done the same yesterday :sick:
wavelength 01 September 2007, 17:51 hmm mine is ok despite a real good hammering on some rough water training this week :D But of course only time will tell. Where exactly have they broken and what sort of mounting bracket have they been on?
Biggles 01 September 2007, 18:34 Well the next time I break or lose a V tronix aerial I won't be buying another one. This new one doesn't look like an improvement on the old one. And when I went to V Tronix for a replacement antenna I got told they are all individually matched with the base so I'd have to buy the whole lot.
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17853&highlight=tronix
Seems like a good idea badly implemented.
Alex Brown 08 September 2007, 21:21 I am slightly curious as to why people buy these little aerials for ribs? (especially if they keep breaking) :]
My 1.8m Pacific whip aerials are coming upto their fifth year of enjoyment on the Pembrokeshire coast now, and they are still whipping around on the top of the a-frame just like they were on day one of installation with really good transmit and reception quality over bigger distances than the raiders.
I will admit that I thought the bases would only last a year or so, but somehow they are still fine now.
-Alex
Biggles 08 September 2007, 22:58 I am slightly curious as to why people buy these little aerials for ribs? (especially if they keep breaking) :]
My 1.8m Pacific whip aerials are coming upto their fifth year of enjoyment on the Pembrokeshire coast now, and they are still whipping around on the top of the a-frame just like they were on day one of installation with really good transmit and reception quality over bigger distances than the raiders.
I will admit that I thought the bases would only last a year or so, but somehow they are still fine now.
-Alex
Alex,
Seems you have the answer to us unhappy V Tronix owners that are looking for something different. Do you have a link ?
Nick.
Biggles 09 September 2007, 00:45 I am slightly curious as to why people buy these little aerials for ribs? (especially if they keep breaking) :]
My 1.8m Pacific whip aerials are coming upto their fifth year of enjoyment on the Pembrokeshire coast now, and they are still whipping around on the top of the a-frame just like they were on day one of installation with really good transmit and reception quality over bigger distances than the raiders.
I will admit that I thought the bases would only last a year or so, but somehow they are still fine now.
-Alex
Alex,
Seems like you have recomended an aerial for us unhappy V Tronix owners to look out.
Do you have a link to a seller ?
i
chris123 09 September 2007, 09:43 Alex,
Seems like you have recomended an aerial for us unhappy V Tronix owners to look out.
Do you have a link to a seller ?
i
There are a number of manufacturers / suppliers of this type of aerial.
Comrod are one of the better known 'commercial spec' manufacturers (the RNLI use them):
http://www.comrod.com/getfile.php/Utvikling/Marine_catalog.pdf
Available in the UK from:
http://www.ses-marine.com/4.html
Mounts on to the A frame with a ratchet base mount, eg:
http://www.marinemegastore.com/jump/44/cat_id/ELEAER005/product-product-MAR_RA116SS.htm
Incidentally Marine Mega Store also sell Pacific VHF aerials
Cheers
Chris
Stephen Luxton 09 September 2007, 17:41 I am slightly curious as to why people buy these little aerials for ribs? (especially if they keep breaking) :]
My 1.8m Pacific whip aerials are coming upto their fifth year of enjoyment on the Pembrokeshire coast now, and they are still whipping around on the top of the a-frame just like they were on day one of installation with really good transmit and reception quality over bigger distances than the raiders.
I will admit that I thought the bases would only last a year or so, but somehow they are still fine now.
-Alex
In my case because I launch and have to go under a low bridge to get anywhere :) the bridge was about 3ft above the top of the Raider on the weekend. Would have to be an aerial I could easy take down if I went to anything else - but when mine falls to bits as I am sure it will, I think I'll look at something else too - its a lot of money (compared to the VHF amateur radio aerials I use which cost £14 and I have had 2 on the end of my house for 11 years now with no problems)
chris123 09 September 2007, 20:06 In my case because I launch and have to go under a low bridge to get anywhere :) the bridge was about 3ft above the top of the Raider on the weekend. Would have to be an aerial I could easy take down if I went to anything else
With a ratchet mount, you can drop / raise the aerial in a matter of a few seconds.
Cheers
Chris
Alex Brown 09 September 2007, 21:47 Alex,
Seems you have the answer to us unhappy V Tronix owners that are looking for something different. Do you have a link ?
Nick.
Hello Nick,
I'm afraid I have no link available, although Pacific Aerials are here - http://www.pacificaerials.co.nz/
I got my two aerials from a local marine electronics company who mainly deal with commercial installations. I believe they have installed the aerials I have on my boat on both the local police rib, and fire brigade rib in the past.
It's important to note however that the base ratchet mount must be the flexible type, and not a stainless unit. This absorbs all the movement on the aerials since they are fibre-glass and will snap if they are subjected to the punishment a rib throws at them if they were hard fixed.
At the time, nearly 5 years ago, I bought these for around £35 each inc vat, I had the local dealer extend the wires as well so they went to the console without any plugs / sockets half way down.
I installed two aerials on the a-frame, since unlike most ribs I have a separate DSC unit. The initial idea was that these aerials would break, so I would always have a backup incase one went when it was needed most.
The significant advantage I find is that the extra height above an already high a-frame gives much better performance of vhf over larger areas.
-Alex
Jon Brooks 12 September 2007, 11:29 Pacific is distributed in the UK by SM Group in Plymouth.
They have a very good range of antenna they also do a great short job.
I have fitted these to a few PWC's and they work very well.
They are very flexible and make them ideal for RIB's and or PWC's.
There will always be an offset between size of whip and output.
The longer whip type antenna offer more gain so in theory better output.
Cheers
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