vhf antenna question

tna122201 · #1 05-31-2008, 05:49 PM

We just bought our first boat...older one that is about 18 - 19 feet long....it did not come with an antenna for the vhf radio and I was wondering if it matters what size it is or how would I figure out which one to get?

Any help or info is greatly appreciated.....TIA

JakeF · #2 06-03-2008, 06:50 AM

All depends on where you fish and what kind of range you need. If you don't tend to venture too far off shore where you would need many miles of range, just about any VHF antenna on the market will be sufficient. If you do need extended range, compare the "db" rating on the antennas available to you. The "db" rating is basically the amplification factor of the antenna, and the higher the rating, the more range the antenna will give you. Mounting the antenna as high as possible will also increase your range.
Hope that helps!

Reel Force · #3 06-03-2008, 05:21 PM

Shakespeare 5400-XT Little Giant VHF perfect size for that boat length .

tna122201 · #4 06-04-2008, 10:47 PM

Thanks guys...not sure how far out we'd be going..probably not too far...I'm still learning how to drive it...lol

newt · #5 06-05-2008, 11:24 AM

As Baitrunner already mentioned, height is very important. VHF is basically "line of sight". The higher up your antenna is, the farther is will transmit/recieve.

nates · #6 06-15-2008, 03:50 PM

I returned home after a day of fishing & found 1/2 of my antenna missing, I forgot to lower it on my t-top. So I replaced the Shakespeare with an 8ft. Digital [brand] antenna. I believe I have better reception.
Which ever brand you buy I would get an 8ft. It might be more than you need but it will give you good reception when you need it.

cheech43 · #7 06-15-2008, 08:47 PM

I put an 8 ft shakespear antenna on last year and it works great. One of my friends works on a cargo ship and I saw one that looked like his pass me the other day while I was out on the water. He sends me a text and asked if I was fishin, we go back and forth with a few text msg's and then I told him to go to channel 68... Heard him clear as anything and he was 20 miles away. I didn't think I got that kind of range with it but apparently I did and I feel alot better knowing that now.