Is it a CB or VHF marine antenna?
I have a white fiberglass top loaded antenna that is 48 inches long.
At the bottom of the antenna where the metal part screws onto the L bracket aluminum mounting base is imprinted 'wondershaft'. It is toploaded because the top 15 inches is thicker and I assume there is a coil of wire under the white fiberglass covering. It uses a Pl259 coax connector mount on the base for the coax cable. Does anyone know if this is a marine CB antenna or would it be a marine VHF antenna or how to tell the difference? Thanks for any info. |
Scott;
What you have there is a CB antenna. You can tell from the loading coil at the top of the stick. A VHF marine antenna will not have any coils as the 48" length is sufficent for a half wave vertical dipole. Dave WD9BDZ Scott Downey wrote: I have a white fiberglass top loaded antenna that is 48 inches long. At the bottom of the antenna where the metal part screws onto the L bracket aluminum mounting base is imprinted 'wondershaft'. It is toploaded because the top 15 inches is thicker and I assume there is a coil of wire under the white fiberglass covering. It uses a Pl259 coax connector mount on the base for the coax cable. Does anyone know if this is a marine CB antenna or would it be a marine VHF antenna or how to tell the difference? Thanks for any info. |
Thank you.
I was hoping toward CB. I am going to add a CB radio to my boat. I already have a VHF radio. I have a SWR meter. Will the length of the coax have an effect on the tuning? I would like to have a run from the top of the flybridge to cabin of perhaps around 20 feet. "David G. Nagel" wrote in message ... Scott; What you have there is a CB antenna. You can tell from the loading coil at the top of the stick. A VHF marine antenna will not have any coils as the 48" length is sufficent for a half wave vertical dipole. Dave WD9BDZ Scott Downey wrote: I have a white fiberglass top loaded antenna that is 48 inches long. At the bottom of the antenna where the metal part screws onto the L bracket aluminum mounting base is imprinted 'wondershaft'. It is toploaded because the top 15 inches is thicker and I assume there is a coil of wire under the white fiberglass covering. It uses a Pl259 coax connector mount on the base for the coax cable. Does anyone know if this is a marine CB antenna or would it be a marine VHF antenna or how to tell the difference? Thanks for any info. |
Scott Downey wrote:
I have a SWR meter. Will the length of the coax have an effect on the tuning? I would like to have a run from the top of the flybridge to cabin of perhaps around 20 feet. Is the (metal?) flybridge your ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings.
"Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: I have a SWR meter. Will the length of the coax have an effect on the tuning? I would like to have a run from the top of the flybridge to cabin of perhaps around 20 feet. Is the (metal?) flybridge your ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
There is a large stainless metal ground plate with molded in tubes (
increased surface area) attached to the keel. About 4 feet by 2 feet. I was told years ago these plates may have been used for AM ground plates??? when using an AM transmitter or perhaps for lightening protection. The boat was built in 1970. All the electronics are grounded and this is also included in the ground. "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: I have a SWR meter. Will the length of the coax have an effect on the tuning? I would like to have a run from the top of the flybridge to cabin of perhaps around 20 feet. Is the (metal?) flybridge your ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Scott Downey wrote:
The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Scott Downey wrote in message ... There is a large stainless metal ground plate with molded in tubes ( increased surface area) attached to the keel. About 4 feet by 2 feet. I was told years ago these plates may have been used for AM ground plates??? when using an AM transmitter or perhaps for lightening protection. The boat was built in 1970. All the electronics are grounded and this is also included in the ground. Probably would work O.K. for the 2-3 Mhz HF marine band and a mast supported antenna wire, but you'll need a "local" groundplane for the 27Mhz antenna to attach the coax shield to, as was previously questioned. |
Are you saying it wont work?
Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
I found this
"I agree with the other posts. The length of cable is not an issue and your problem is a lack of a good groundplane. I suggest that you try a CB marine antenna. These antennas are design to operator without a groundplane. However, they are probably not design to handle high power. Looking at shakespears webpage it looks like there antennas are limited to 25 watts max. Well with in the range of a legal CB radio." http://www.shakespeare-marine.com/index.html what a long link http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...N%26 tab%3Dwg "Scott Downey" wrote in message ... Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 15:35:24 -0500, "Scott Downey"
wrote: I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? Hi Scott, It could be a half-wave antenna (or jimmied to look like one) and it counts on the cable feed to act as the minimal counterpoise to work against. OR It could be outright baloney about not needing a ground plane. CB does not have the reputation for marketing to the savvy. 73's Richard Clark, KB7QHC |
Scott Downey wrote:
Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? I said "if it is a 1/4WL antenna..." If it is a 1/2WL antenna, it will work without a ground plane. Does it have a coax connector on it? If so, what is the outside of the connector tied to? "Cecil Moore" wrote: To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Yes, it has a pl 259 coax connector on the antenna and it did not come with
any cable. "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? I said "if it is a 1/4WL antenna..." If it is a 1/2WL antenna, it will work without a ground plane. Does it have a coax connector on it? If so, what is the outside of the connector tied to? "Cecil Moore" wrote: To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Scott Downey wrote:
Yes, it has a pl 259 coax connector on the antenna and it did not come with any cable. But what is the outside shield of the pl259 connected to inside the antenna? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Cecil is not fallowing along. I have an antenna just like yours and it is
designed to work without a ground plane. It is designed for boats. "Scott Downey" wrote in message ... Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Sounds right to me, thanks.
How well does this antenna work for you? I have not installed the radio yet. "CW" wrote in message ... Cecil is not fallowing along. I have an antenna just like yours and it is designed to work without a ground plane. It is designed for boats. "Scott Downey" wrote in message ... Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
They work I have even seen apt window antennas but range is awful.
The best thing I found is mount with 2 U bolts or s steel hose clamps to the stern railing as close to the centerline as possible (most those antennas have a brass plated sleeve at the base). It's a sailboat when the gate s closed you have plenty of ground plain. Very difficult to get an acceptable polar pattern on Boats. If you have a large boat use a 2 co-phased classic Shakespeare "Super Big Stick" (21 ft sleeve antenna) a-side and above the pilot house is the ultimate 2 co-phased antennas on the rear port and starboard stern rails work good also. If you can afford a boat dont be cheap with "Rube" rigged antenna systems, it can mean a life or death situation "Scott Downey" wrote in message ... Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
Don't know, never tried it. Bought it for a specific application about ten
years ago. A change of plans made it unnecessary. "Scott Downey" wrote in message ... Sounds right to me, thanks. How well does this antenna work for you? I have not installed the radio yet. "CW" wrote in message ... Cecil is not fallowing along. I have an antenna just like yours and it is designed to work without a ground plane. It is designed for boats. "Scott Downey" wrote in message ... Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
I am not too concerned, I have VHF primarily and am just interested in
adding CB to the boat for fun. I have a handheld GE CB that is for fun and will be used to talk to the main CB in the boat. We do use a cell phone, I called the CG on it when I was in a storm and hit a pier which destroyed my VHF antenna. "-Rev Jones" wrote in message ... They work I have even seen apt window antennas but range is awful. The best thing I found is mount with 2 U bolts or s steel hose clamps to the stern railing as close to the centerline as possible (most those antennas have a brass plated sleeve at the base). It's a sailboat when the gate s closed you have plenty of ground plain. Very difficult to get an acceptable polar pattern on Boats. If you have a large boat use a 2 co-phased classic Shakespeare "Super Big Stick" (21 ft sleeve antenna) a-side and above the pilot house is the ultimate 2 co-phased antennas on the rear port and starboard stern rails work good also. If you can afford a boat dont be cheap with "Rube" rigged antenna systems, it can mean a life or death situation "Scott Downey" wrote in message ... Are you saying it wont work? Why would the manufacturer make a marine CB antenna knowing it would be put on a fiberglass boat knowing that most people would simply hook up the coax and see it it works. I read in the marine catalogs about marine CB antennas designed for boats and not to be concerned about a ground plane. Anyone know the answer? "Cecil Moore" wrote in message ... Scott Downey wrote: The boat is mostly wood and fiberglass, only metal is railings. To what is the coax shield going to be tied? If that antenna is an electrical 1/4 wavelength, where's the ground plane? -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
We do use a cell phone, I called the CG on it when I was in a storm and hit
a pier which destroyed my VHF antenna. --------------------------------- A roll up J-pole and a fishin pole come in very handy in this situation. KC*VIF Greg Z to thine own sound be true |
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