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Author Topic:   210 OUTRAGE Radio Antenna

MSaxatilus posted 04-02-2007 05:43 PM ET (US)
Hey guys--My brother and I just purchased a new 210 Outrage. We plan on installing an ICOM 504 radio on the boat, but we've come across a unique situation. We really love the openness of the new boat, so we chose not to have a T-top installed. But, mounting a radio antenna is proving to be [problem]. As you can imagine, if we didn't want a T-top, we'd also rather not have an annoying 8-foot VHF whip bouncing around either. So, we were thinking of using a smaller antenna (like Shakespear's #5216) for inshore use (which we do most of our fishing/boating), but then have the ability to use a quick-disconnect attachment so that we can switch to a bigger 8-foot whip for use when we roam farther offshore and need the extra range.
So that brings up two concerns..... first, has anyone else used these smaller antennas , less than 3-feet, again Shakespear #5216, for inshore use? How effective and reliable are they?
Secondly, because the boat is so clean we obviously don't wan't to mount the whip anywhere but on the center console. Installing an annoying 8-foot whip on the gunwale is just unacceptable to me. However, do you think there will be enough distance between the radio and the whip, both mounted on the center console, to prevent radio interferance and squealing?
Any input you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot, and I'll see you on the water.
MSax
Bella con23 posted 04-02-2007 06:51 PM ET (US)
Check out this insightful thread - http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001302.html
jimh posted 04-02-2007 08:45 PM ET (US)
The notion of having a quick disconnect for changing radio antennas is flawed. It will not work well mechanically or electrically.
I would use a 3-foot whip antenna mounted on a 4-foot extension. Construct your own mounting for the antenna so that you can slide the antenna up or down in a pair of clamps which are mounted to the side of the console. When you are inshore you can slide the antenna down as far as possible, and when offshore you can slide it up as high as possible.
jimh posted 04-02-2007 08:47 PM ET (US)
Also, I would use a GAM ELECTRONICS antenna in preference to the one you mentioned. Have you read this article:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHFAntenna.html
The GAM ELECTRONICS antenna is much smaller and more attractive than the antenna you mentioned. It also works better.
MSaxatilus posted 04-03-2007 08:00 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the information guys! Very informative and exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks, and I'll let you know how I make out.
MSax
MSaxatilus posted 04-03-2007 08:09 AM ET (US)
Jimh,
One followup question:
Is it possible to use the GAM antenna mounted directly on the mounting bracket without use of the Shakespear extension? I'd prefer to have a small lower profile whip for inshore use, but then have the ability to raise the antenna as needed.
I think the antenna will be quite close to the whip if its not raised as you suggest with the 4' extension.
MSax

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Author	Topic: 210 OUTRAGE Radio Antenna
MSaxatilus	posted 04-02-2007 05:43 PM ET (US) Hey guys--My brother and I just purchased a new 210 Outrage. We plan on installing an ICOM 504 radio on the boat, but we've come across a unique situation. We really love the openness of the new boat, so we chose not to have a T-top installed. But, mounting a radio antenna is proving to be [problem]. As you can imagine, if we didn't want a T-top, we'd also rather not have an annoying 8-foot VHF whip bouncing around either. So, we were thinking of using a smaller antenna (like Shakespear's #5216) for inshore use (which we do most of our fishing/boating), but then have the ability to use a quick-disconnect attachment so that we can switch to a bigger 8-foot whip for use when we roam farther offshore and need the extra range. So that brings up two concerns..... first, has anyone else used these smaller antennas , less than 3-feet, again Shakespear #5216, for inshore use? How effective and reliable are they? Secondly, because the boat is so clean we obviously don't wan't to mount the whip anywhere but on the center console. Installing an annoying 8-foot whip on the gunwale is just unacceptable to me. However, do you think there will be enough distance between the radio and the whip, both mounted on the center console, to prevent radio interferance and squealing? Any input you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot, and I'll see you on the water. MSax
Bella con23	posted 04-02-2007 06:51 PM ET (US) Check out this insightful thread - http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/001302.html
jimh	posted 04-02-2007 08:45 PM ET (US) The notion of having a quick disconnect for changing radio antennas is flawed. It will not work well mechanically or electrically. I would use a 3-foot whip antenna mounted on a 4-foot extension. Construct your own mounting for the antenna so that you can slide the antenna up or down in a pair of clamps which are mounted to the side of the console. When you are inshore you can slide the antenna down as far as possible, and when offshore you can slide it up as high as possible.
jimh	posted 04-02-2007 08:47 PM ET (US) Also, I would use a GAM ELECTRONICS antenna in preference to the one you mentioned. Have you read this article: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/VHFAntenna.html The GAM ELECTRONICS antenna is much smaller and more attractive than the antenna you mentioned. It also works better.
MSaxatilus	posted 04-03-2007 08:00 AM ET (US) Thanks for the information guys! Very informative and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, and I'll let you know how I make out. MSax
MSaxatilus	posted 04-03-2007 08:09 AM ET (US) Jimh, One followup question: Is it possible to use the GAM antenna mounted directly on the mounting bracket without use of the Shakespear extension? I'd prefer to have a small lower profile whip for inshore use, but then have the ability to raise the antenna as needed. I think the antenna will be quite close to the whip if its not raised as you suggest with the 4' extension. MSax