Can I use a VHF aerial to pick up FM?

Markyboyo · 08 September 2008, 15:12

As the title says, I'm going to install a lowrance VHF that has a FM tuner built in but need to get an aerial for the FM reception. Can I use a second VHF antenna or does it need to be FM specific?

Cheers,

Mark

BogMonster · 08 September 2008, 15:31

You should be able to. Quite a few people here use 5/8 wave 2m band (145MHz) whips for car radios and reckon they work better than normal car radio aerials - can't say I have ever tried it myself. At the end of the day you can use a coathanger for receiving, its the transmit bit where you have to get the aerial right

Channel Ribs · 08 September 2008, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markyboyo

As the title says, I'm going to install a lowrance VHF that has a FM tuner built in but need to get an aerial for the FM reception. Can I use a second VHF antenna or does it need to be FM specific?

Cheers,

Mark

A marine vhf antenna will pick up FM broadcasts nicely, plus you get a spare for your vhf too if you make up a clever connector.

Markyboyo · 08 September 2008, 17:53

That sounds great. I hadn't thought of the spare aerial aspect!
Cheers for the help guys!

Hugh Jardon · 08 September 2008, 20:15

i had two aerials on mine, the long white ones, had two incase one snapped. however they never did, one was a spare backup

when the new stereo went on we got a special connector that allowed you to use the aerial for the ships radio but also could recieve fm for the stereo on the same aerial

it worked a treat for sure and i dont thing they are very expensive. worth looking into

martini · 08 September 2008, 23:08

http://www.marinesuperstore.com/posi...partno=2146028

Channel Ribs · 09 September 2008, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

http://www.marinesuperstore.com/posi...partno=2146028

Pacific do something similar for about 16.00, sadly we wont have any in for a couple of weeks though.

Hugh Jardon · 09 September 2008, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

Pacific do something similar for about 16.00, sadly we wont have any in for a couple of weeks though.

yes it was the pacific that we fitted to the boat and it worked a treat, great bit of kit

Hightower · 09 September 2008, 18:38

I wouldn't splice it together DIY as it'll change the impedence of the Aerial at the risk of damaging the VHF.

Channel Ribs · 09 September 2008, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I wouldn't splice it together DIY as it'll change the impedence of the Aerial at the risk of damaging the VHF.

Indeed, use either a splitter or make up a proper adapter.