waterinthefuel
Commander
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2003
- Messages
- 2,728
I found out a cheap way to make a 3' antenna into an "on-demand" antenna of whatever length you choose. Simply go to a hardware store and purchase 3/4 inch male and female fittings, and 3/4 inch PVC cut to your length of choice between the mount and your antenna. Now, if you need greater range you can just hook up your "extension" and get your antenna as high as you want. When you don't need it that high, you can take it down and screw it back to the mount like normal, and just store the extension on the boat somewhere, for me it's in the strap-style rod holders.
I wanted to make my 3' the equivalent of an 8 foot, so I purchased one female, one male and one length of 5' PVC, total came to $4.53.
I am aware that it doesn't give you the gain of the true larger antenna, but it's cheaper and easier than fighting an 8' antenna constantly when you only need the additional range and reception occasionally.
Since you can cut the PVC (or in my case the hardware store sold it to me only in the length I needed) to any length you need, you can cut it to make sure it fits into the sidewell of the boat when retracted, or make sure it is long enough to clear something, if that is the case. The options are unlimited.
Hope this idea helps someone!
I wanted to make my 3' the equivalent of an 8 foot, so I purchased one female, one male and one length of 5' PVC, total came to $4.53.
I am aware that it doesn't give you the gain of the true larger antenna, but it's cheaper and easier than fighting an 8' antenna constantly when you only need the additional range and reception occasionally.
Since you can cut the PVC (or in my case the hardware store sold it to me only in the length I needed) to any length you need, you can cut it to make sure it fits into the sidewell of the boat when retracted, or make sure it is long enough to clear something, if that is the case. The options are unlimited.
Hope this idea helps someone!
