Check out the "Cheap Yagis" site from the Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club in
Texas. They have multi element beam construction projects for the UHF/VHF
bands that could be adapted for Maritime frequencies. They work well, I've
built a 9 el 432 beam that works well. And best of all, they are cheap!

Good luck,

Bill, W4WNT
"Robert11" wrote in message
. ..
Hi,

Thank you all for the very good suggestions and comments re my previous
post on trying an antenna for receiving Maritime conversations from myt
location of around 20 miles west of Boston harbor.
Really good info. I've copied my old post below, for reference.

Think I would like to try a "dedicated" antenna.

I'm in my 70's now, and frankly, even building a really simple antenna is
probably beyond me. So, I would like to purchase a suitable one, for,
perhaps, $75 or so, max.

For a variety of reasons, would have to go in attic.

Would want it to be very directional, with "lots" of gain, and essentially
tuned for the Maritime freq's of around 155 -170 MHz, receiving only
usage.

And, I guess, not too big, so it would fit reasonably in my attic.

If anyone could suggest a "good" commercial unit, would be most
appreciative.

BTW: would it be possible to parallel the coax feed from this new
antenna, with my existing broadband scanner Scantenna antenna (via a
"splitter", or...?), or would phase differences, etc., louse everything
up ?

Realize it would undoubtedly be better to use separate coax feeds, but was
wondering about the practicality of using a single feed from the attic ?
(again, receiving only)

Thanks,
Bob
-------------------------------
I have a Uniden 996 scanner and would really like to pick up some marine
traffic from Boston Harbor.
Live about 20 miles due west of the harbor.

Have a Scantenna antenna which I think is "pretty good". It's up in my
attic.

It's omni directional, and broadband over the typical scanner ranges
(supposedly).

I can often pick up coast guard conversations, but very rarely (but
ooccassionally) ship traffic.

Do you think a dedicated, very directional, and tuned to the marine freq's
would help, or am I just too far away ?

Any thoughts on, or antenna suggestions would be most appreciated.
No idea what to buy, if you feel it's worth a try ?

Very interested in the AIS data being transmitted by ships at around 162
MHz, as well as general marine stuff.