Am I the only one that forgets......?

[Bob's Garage]

I purchased my boat new in 2008. It's a SeaCat 226DC, with a 1/2 tower. I keep forgetting to lower the VHF antenna after a day on the water. When I realize my error, it's after I have broken it off.

I just replaced the 5101 Shakespear for the 5th time. Fortunately I have found a cheaper place to buy them than WM's $90.00. The wife suggested buying 2 at a time to save on shipping! The dealer has offered a quantity discount.

I guess the old adage "out of sight, out of mind" is being applied here.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Why don't you tie your truck ignition keys to the top of the antenna then you will be forced to lower it to retrieve them!

I guess the bad news is .......... it NEVER gets better as you get older

Oh yeah..... the Shakespear people thank you for the job security!

 

[JoLin]

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

LOL! I can relate to things like that. The mind's a funny thing. Uh... what was the question?

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Why don't you tie your truck ignition keys to the top of the antenna then you will be forced to lower it to retrieve them!

I guess the bad news is .......... it NEVER gets better as you get older

Oh yeah..... the Shakespear people thank you for the job security!

I've done the keys thing, tying colored bands on the ring, colored band on the steering wheel, wife reminding me.

I have finally rigged a mercury switch to the base of the antenna and a red indicator light on the dash to remind me to lower the thing. Will be interested to see if I begin to ignore the light.

I would fear that it is my age except my son has done it too. Hereditary?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

I've done the keys thing, tying colored bands on the ring, colored band on the steering wheel, wife reminding me.

I have finally rigged a mercury switch to the base of the antenna and a red indicator light on the dash to remind me to lower the thing. Will be interested to see if I begin to ignore the light.

I would fear that it is my age except my son has done it too. Hereditary?

Mercury switch is a great idea...... is the light on the boat dash? Not in the truck? Maybe the light should be a tiny LED up by the bow hook where you would see it while operation the winch.

LOL so your son has done it too??? The apple does not fall far from the tree and that also means you are both getting OLD!!!

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

I've done the keys thing, tying colored bands on the ring, colored band on the steering wheel, wife reminding me.

I have finally rigged a mercury switch to the base of the antenna and a red indicator light on the dash to remind me to lower the thing. Will be interested to see if I begin to ignore the light.

I would fear that it is my age except my son has done it too. Hereditary?

If you're serious about all of that I'm afraid there's no help for you. I suggest you stop putting out all of the reminders and indicator lights and just try to enjoy your day fishing. Start buying antennas 6 at a time and then maybe when you can't afford to go fishing one day you'll finally get it.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

Re: AQm I the only one that forgets......?

why not just leave it down? that's what i do I NEVER use it, the only time I could see myself doing so is in an emergency.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

Back later, going to buy some shares in Shakespeare !!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

Just a few antennas? Not bad. I left an unfamiliar ramp one day and was concentrating on getting out of the way of the dozen people waiting that I pulled up the ramp and past the overhanging oak tree...all while leaving my antenna up and four rods in the T-top rocket launchers.

And you know not one of those people waiting there said a word to me as I was pulling out!

Remember, it could always be worse.

 

[marcortez]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

I have broken off two Digital antennas backing into my garage.

Tried to repair one, where only the fiberglass was shattered, (guts were intact) with 2 halves of PVC duct taped around the shattered part.

It does not work!!! Can't transmit or receive

 

[rbh]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

Wrap some ribbon around it like you said, that orange flagger stlye, it will flap around and get your attention all the time.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

Thanks for your post...I see these on the side of the road, and always wondered what they used to be!

Happy boating!

P.S. Actually the answer to "not even raise it unless you are using it" seems to make sense?

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

One method I tried was tying a "ribbon" around the antenna, then when I raised it I would tie the ribbon around my key ring. Worked great for me, that was when my son broke it off.

I didn't remember to tell him what the ribbon was for, so he tossed it. THEN he found out what it was for.

Unfortunately, I am a little anal about having the radio on and monitoring "16".

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

I have no idea how much range I lose in doing so but I replaced my VHF antena with one of those whip style antenas. No more than I use it, it just doesn't make any sense to me to have that big ole fiberglass antena always in the way. I guess if I fished 90 miles offshore I'd probably feel different but most of my fishing is done less than 30 miles out, there is always boats within range. If I'm going out further I take along an EPERB anyway.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

How about a checklist with lowering the antenna as one of the items?:redface:

 

[seabob4]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

We used to get a chuckle at the transporters would pull back into the Stamas plant 5 minutes after they left with the trumpet horns hanging over the side of the hardtop...

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

Here's what I do: rig the antenna purchase receipts on a string and hang them on your truck's rear view mirror the day before you go boating. If you're really forgetful (which seems like a distinct possibility) leave the receipts dangling there 24/7. Makes for good conversation.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

Fireman431: That had to hurt! ouch!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

I stabbed my old broken antennae in the ground next to the road just before the tree that broke it off at my favorite ramp...... Now every time I am pulling out I see that broken antennae and jack the brakes and double check that it is down..... so far so good:redface:

 

[oops!]

Re: Am I the only one that forgets......?

try writing "lower the antenna" backwards on your rear window.....that way when you look in the mirror comiung off the ramp.....you will be reminded.

that or just hire a valet to pull the boat out of the water.....you can stand at the ramp and yell at them when they forget....lol