VHF antenna installation
 

OK - I've been living off my handheld, remnant from my last boat, and decided to get a fixed mount unit for my Seafari. I had the boatyard do the install on my last boat, and don't remember how it was layed out, or know if they cut the cable to length.

What is the general consensus on installing the antenna, where there is excess length of cable ?

1 - Cut to length to fit

2 - don't cut, coil the excess

3 - don't cut, stow the excess loosely / random

4 - other

Appreciate your wisdom

thanks

Bill

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Cut to fit. Fewer problems from interference. Also, unlike other types of 2 way radios there is no significant difference in "tuning" from cutting the cable.

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Old Blues

I agree with Roger. Even thou the VHF cable can be spliced, I think I would coil up the access just in case you change the mounting position at a later date and need more cable (Like up on a T-Top / Arch etc.) ;)

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

I was always taught to avoid cutting if possible, Blue Seas cable seals are good for this. And take the excess and store or zip ty it so it lays against itself in straigh lines. No crossing or coiling of the cable for optimum performance. Anyone else do the same? Mine is setup this way but I have no comparison to see if it improves or not.

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

i left my excess coiled up under my console. have had no problems with the radio as of yet.
-evan

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

im a #2- i coil mine up as well- i do try to keep it away from the coiled up gps cable and the coiled up radar coil and the coiled up transducer cable(s) :D :D :D

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Contact Jim at BOE marine and order a Digital brand VHF antenna with your custom length. They charge ~$10 to cut/new connector and with their small machanical connectors they are easy to get through tight spaces.

There may be a few weeks delay and there is a 5' min length.

I went the Digital route with only needing 5' and very happy!

- Nick :D

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

According to the instrucions from the Shakespeare Galaxy instructions -

"Route the cable to your transceiver, keeping it as far as possible from other electrical equipment and cables. The 50-ohm coaxial cable should remain at least 3 feet in length, measured from the point where the cable exits the antenna."

My radio is mounted in my electronics box on the t-top with the antenna just a few feet away - did not want the extra slack coiled behind my other electronics so the 3ft minimum worked out perfect.

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

I just wish I could get rid of the bazillion feet of transducer cable left over in the console. Between the vhf, sonar, gps, navman, lenco tabs, trolling motors, stealth charger and assorted other "normal" wiring and cables, every little bit of cleanup helps on my boat. :D

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Thanks, all for the input. Got the install done, Uniden radio into a Shakespeare 8300 on a ratchet mount, on the side of the cuddy, port side, aft of the cabin window. Brought the cable in thru the cap, adjacent to the mount, under the gunnel and forward, then thru the bulkhead into the cuddy, up and over the cuddy door, across the inside of the starboard bulkhead, down, and back out thru the bulkhead, to connect to the radio, mounted vertically on the bulhead, under the helm. That actually used up most of the original length of wire, so did trim a little to install the connector, but not much.

Cap'n Chuck - you are a mind reader - how did you know I have ultimate designs on a hardtop, something like CSN's ??? :D

after completion, turned it on, just to check receipt, on the weather channels - nice and clear. Proof will be in the pudding this weekend!!!

thanks all

Bill

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Around here you can pick up the weather channel's without even having a antenna connected.

Don't use that as a guage.

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Wart - I can imagine that's true, where you live, but I'm not there, and I'm about 60 miles from the coast, up here.

I don't have an SWR meter. I was careful with the solder joints on the antenna cable connector, and made sure I had a good power feed. Is there another way to test it, that you know of, or, as I said, the proof will be in the pudding this weekend when I get on the water.

Suggestions welcome.

Bill

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Hi,
I've been a member for a few months, but mostly been lurking.

In my experience, problems in VHF antenna installation usually affect transmission way more than reception. If you can find a friend with a SWR meter and talk him into coming by for a beer, you'll be a step ahead when you get out on the water.

I have a friend who's a HAM and he's helped me tune antennas on both my boats. One thing he advised that kind of surprised me was to ground the antenna base (I mounted the antenna to a fiberglass poling platform). The improvement on the SWR meter was significant and so was the transmission distance on my next outing. I always thought the coaxial cable also served as a ground, but an independent ground certainly helped in my application.

Dave

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Question on grounding the base. Did you just run a wire to the negative on the battery or go to a special grounding location?

Re: VHF antenna installation
 

Blue Heron -

I'll second the question on grounding the antenna base - How ?

Also - could you ask your Ham friend - I do have an old SWR meter from CB radio days - I just assumed that it was specific to CB, and not useable for VHF, but it's worth asking someone who knows this stuff for real.

thanks

Bill