Which VHF Aerial?

[Nickytynick]

Having searched the forums on this subject I am still undecided which VHF aerial to go for. (ICOM M601 arriving tomorrow)

It will be mounted on the A-frame (probably side - near the top).
Now, Jon at Icom tells me that the fibreglass ones give a better range than the V-tronix type whip aerials but will they stand up to the thrashing they will get on the back of a RIB?

I'd be interested to hear about your experiences with these aerials.

I would probably go for a 1.2m not a 2.4.


Thanks

Nick

[Pete7]

Nick, broken enough fibreglass ones that I don't buy them anymore and prefer the V-Troncis ones even if they don't have quite the performance.

Pete

[DJL]

I have used both types of Vtronix aerial with my ICOM M401 and I am very impressed by their combined performance.

Initially I had the stainless steel whip version, which annoyingly snapped. It got replaced by the sprung version recommended for RIBs, which doesn't perform quite as well, but looks less likely to abandon ship in rough weather.

The one thing that is really handy about the Vtronix design is that you can easily change the whip and/or coil without having to rerun the coax cable. It makes carrying spares and dealing with failures at sea a lot easier.

[Garygee]

I use two 1.2M fiberglass ones from a company called RW Badland.

They made aerials for sowester and a couple of other people.

I bought direct and they only cost £25 ish each.

Upto date I have used them for 12 months and do give then some stick (ask anyone who has been out with me when its rough ) and no problems.

They even did me a special with 10M of cable for the same price as the standard 5M would not have been long enough.

Web site is www.badland.co.uk but your need tio ring up and ask as Im not sure if these are on their web site.

They also apear to work better than the V Tronix RIB aerial as I have had reports that people can hear clear but not another RIB using the V Tronix RIB aerial, when we was both at the same location.

Regards Gary

[Jelly]

Vtronic antennas: Shamrock chandlery did stock the replacement elements, they had a liking to break just above the clamp where the element goes into the base. Don't think about just shortening the element if this happens as it will wreck the SWR and possibly damage the radio, too much of the radio's power being reflected in to the receive circuits.
When you comission your new antenna use either a crimp PL259 or a solder PL259, the screw together dry plugs are not worth the time or money IMHO
Rgds
James

[Headhunter]

Another question re ICOM DSC aerials

When fitting a DS100 (DSC Controller) to an existing M401 VHF do I need to fit an additional Aerial for Ch 70 (the DSC frequency)?

(Only one aerial is required for the M601, for both VHF & DSC.)

If so what aerial is recommended for the DS100?

John

[Andre]

Nick

Try the "whip type antenna" Sea Eagle from Renair Antennae Ltd.(tel: 020 89653001) Had this one on my previous rib and was linked up to IC401. I have the same again but linked up to IC601 and it has pretty good reception when I was out testing the rib.

Andre

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Headhunter

Another question re ICOM DSC aerials

When fitting a DS100 (DSC Controller) to an existing M401 VHF do I need to fit an additional Aerial for Ch 70 (the DSC frequency)?

(Only one aerial is required for the M601, for both VHF & DSC.)

If so what aerial is recommended for the DS100?

John

John

You will need a second antenna for the DS100.
A standard VHF antenna is fine for the second, nothing special needed.
The M601 like all single box DSC rajo's only needs a single antenna.

We do not recomend any make.

Regards

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

John

You will need a second antenna for the DS100.
A standard VHF antenna is fine for the second, nothing special needed.
The M601 like all single box DSC rajo's only needs a single antenna.

We do not recomend any make.

Regards

David Manning once told me that if you bolt your ariel ( I can't spell antenna) directly through the A frame then it's putting more strain on the base of the ariel. exactly where the steel bit joinsthe base.

His recomendation was to fasten the ariels via the bracket thet is supplied. I kinda thought that made sense

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

David Manning once told me that if you bolt your ariel ( I can't spell antenna) directly through the A frame then it's putting more strain on the base of the ariel. exactly where the steel bit joinsthe base.

His recomendation was to fasten the ariels via the bracket thet is supplied. I kinda thought that made sense

Rogue

I would always say use what the manufacturer supplies or recomends.
Never try to cut corners, it will only go Pete Tong!!

Regards