Mounting an Ariel

Noddy · 05 July 2005, 20:42

I have just bought a fixed VHF Radio after ruining my handheld at The Fleet Review. However I need to fix the ariel somewhere and the highest part of the boat is 3/4" stainless steel frame over the front of the console. Is there some sort of bracket I can buy to fix the ariel to this? Or better still is there a cheap way of doing it?
Martyn

Neal · 05 July 2005, 21:00

Martyn
I would not be without an A frame on a RIB as I have loads on it but have seen growing number of RIBs with just a SS pole at the rear. Do a search on the pictures and see if you can see some. Can't think of a cheaper way of doing it.

jwalker · 05 July 2005, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noddy

... Is there some sort of bracket I can buy to fix the ariel to this?

Martyn, yes there is. They are sold for just this purpose and commonly found on the rails of sailing boats. However, I'm not sure how well it will cope with the bumping a rib will give it without some extra support further up the antenna. The bracket will stand it bit I could see it swivelling around the stainless rail.

lc0021 · 06 July 2005, 09:28

I guess you arent going to be using the radio on high power very much, or arent going to be very far away from other radio users - however a couple of points for consideration:

(a) the higher you can mount the aerial, the better it's range will be

(b) mounting an aerial alongside metal framework, such as railing can reduce its efectiveness, and cause 'shadows' or 'blind spots' in its transmission and reception

(c) a VHF set on high power is several orders of magnitude stronger than a cell phone (up to 25 watts ??). Sounds like the aerial mounted on the frame on the console would put the aerial not too far from the pilots brain... Now I know there's a lot of scientific argument about the effects of radiation on the brain - but I think it's wise to avoid it if possible..

Myabe you'll never use the radio on high power - or never be far away from the other station - but in the absence of an A frame - I'd go for the pole in the transom idea...

Stuart M · 06 July 2005, 11:54

I have an A-Frame on my rib and although it has a place for an aerial, I needed to be able to either a) remove it or b) tilt it for the storage of the rib.

Whilst you can get things to tilt your aerial they don't work with the rib aerial (a Vtronix raider ) - However a call to the nice people at Communication Aerials (01373-822835) who make the Vtronix Raider Aerial and they gave me the name of the people who sell their special adapter (see photo).

It also allows you to have a complete boat cover fitted without the need for holes in a cover.

Note of caution though, when tilted horizontally it's just at eye level!

Photo attached

Stuart

Nyarla · 06 July 2005, 18:06

And the name of the company, and the cost of the bracket?

Stuart M · 06 July 2005, 18:36

Can't remember the name of the company, but it was one of their main dealers, I'll try and dig it out (couldn't find it quickly when i posted earlier).

Cost was something crazy like £16+vat + dely - bit expensive for a piece of plastic! but I guess it was a marine part

but it does the job very well.

Stainless bracket was £20 from Marine Superstore in Port Solent (£40 in aladdins cave!), althought to be fair a small bus bar was £8.00 in aladdins cave at £25.00 at marine superstore. (very same item).

The only thing about the hinged stainless bracket is that the bolt wasn't long enough to fully lock into the nyloc nut - doesn't seem to make a difference though and of course bolt is not std metric! so maybe difficult to find longer replacement - maybe the reason for the £20 difference

Stuart