Antennae questions

[BayStealth]

My boat has two long antennaes, one for the am/fm and one for vhf. I have seen these antennae splitters that you can run am/fm and vhf off one antennae. Have you guys had any experience with these? Also, I do not like the longer antennaes as they get in the way constantly. That is why I am trying to reduce down to one antennae but would like that antennae to be as short or concealed as possible. What are some short decent quality antennaes you guys have found? I fish in the bays and generally only use the radio for weather updates every now and then so superior strength is not a huge factor. Thanks!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Antennae questions

Baystealth<br />The spliters work ok. Take the antennas off and buy a AM/FM/CD portable radio with a buit in antenna and a weather band. Or get a $10 weather radio at radio shack. Could also buy a handeld VHF radio they all have weather bands.<br /><br />For me I want the best antenna I can get. An 8 foot antenna mounted 2 feet above the water good for 10 miles to another boat. A 4 foot antenna mounted 2 feet above the good for 5 miles to another boat. My radio could save someone life some day. Maybe someone on my boat so I want the best antenna I can get.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: Antennae questions

Will the spliter work on any vhf antennae? I just bought an 8 footer for my boat. where can i get one from?

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Antennae questions

It will work with varying degrees of success. Far from optimal, it will probably still be better than what comes with a portable radio. <br />Boatist's advice about using the biggest best antenna is very wise. Maybe you just need a better fold down mount?

 

[BayStealth]

Re: Antennae questions

Well, if it was up to me I would have the handheld VHF and probably no radio at all but they were on the boat when I bought them so that is why I want to try to 'streamline' the console as much as I can. I usually only use the VHF for weather and pressure only. I don't want to make the VHF totally unuseful but could probably get by with a smaller antennae. I stay in the bays here in the Gulf Coast of Texas so help is not always too far away. I have cell phone too and friends with boats in the area. The splitter I found is from merchanntmarineinc.com, you can probably order it from them or Bass Pro Shops.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Antennae questions

You can get the spliter from West Marine. Also check here on Iboat. If they have it Iboat will beat West Marine.<br /><br /> http://mastercatalog04.westmarine.com/0168.asp