- Frequency range:
156-159 MHz, VSWR < 1.5 : 1
159-162 MHz, VSWR < 2.5 : 1 - Nominal impedance = 50 ohm
- Power rating: 100 Watts
- Gain: 6 dB
- Design:
Collinear 5/8-wavelength phased brass elements. Radiating element completely enclosed in polyurethane foam within a fibreglass tube. - Length: 8-feet
- Weight: 1.1 kg or 2.5-lbs
- Wind rating: 55 m/s or 125-MPH
- Mounting:
The AV60BI8 is fitted with UNS 1-inch x14 female ferrules. Can be used with all standard mounting accessories. Integrated BNC female coaxial connector. All BI versions come with a tool to mount the BNC male coaxial connector inside the stainless steel ferrule.
The model AV60BI8 can be fitted to the standard 1 x 14 threaded base. The antenna is not supplied with an integral coaxial transmission line. The transmission line connects to the antenna via a BNC connector at the antenna base; the connector is concealed inside the metal base ferule. COMROD sells accessory transmission lines with a BNC connector at the antenna end and a FME connector the transceiver end; the include a PL-259/FME adaptor for mating to the usual SO-239 connector at the transceiver.
Unusual for marine antennas, COMROD supplies a vertical radiation pattern plot:
This plot shows an extremely deep null (-40 dB) in the radiation pattern in the collinear directions above and below the antenna. This demonstrates why collinear vertical separation between an antenna and electronic gear or between one antenna from another is so much more effective than horizontal separation. The antenna has extremely reduced radiation in those directions.
Also unusual, COMROD supplies a VSWR graph. The VHF marine band for ship transmitters is confined to 156 to 157-MHz. In this region the VSWR will be extremely low, close to 1:1. AIS transmitters operate at 162-MHz, where this antenna will have a VSWR of about 2.5:1 or less when measured at the end of a 5-meter transmission line due to some line losses.
Here are two views of the COMROD antenna installed on a hard top:
This antenna is not cheap. The antenna has a MSRP of $397 but sells for around $297. An 5-meter transmission line with appropriate connectors sells for about $41. Because it is an 8-foot antenna, shipping could be expensive, perhaps $40. This puts the landed-cost of this antenna at about $378.