VHF Antenna mounting suggestions

[ImgMkr3]

I've just purchased a Bayliner 249 deckboat and plan on putting a VHF radio on it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good mounting point for the antenna?

There are no rails to mount it on and I'd prefer not to mount it outside the hull form. I can see mounting it ahead of the windshield or behind the captains chair to the floor. Any other suggestions or experiences in mounting a 6ft stick on this boat would be appreciated.

 

[Splat]

Re: VHF Antenna mounting suggestions

Pictures would help.

You want the antenna mounted as high as possible. VHF communication is line of sight. So even a marginal height improvement of 1-4 ft higher in the boat is exzaggerated in how the antenna performs.

Also the antenna you purchase is more important than the radio you buy. Expect to pay for a quality antenna.

You can make a marginal radio sound great with a good antenna, but a great radio sound crummy with a marginal antenna.

Bill

 

[ImgMkr3]

Re: VHF Antenna mounting suggestions

Pictures would help.

You want the antenna mounted as high as possible. VHF communication is line of sight. So even a marginal height improvement of 1-4 ft higher in the boat is exzaggerated in how the antenna performs.

Also the antenna you purchase is more important than the radio you buy. Expect to pay for a quality antenna.

You can make a marginal radio sound great with a good antenna, but a great radio sound crummy with a marginal antenna.

Bill

Greetings Splat,

Thanks for the reply. I'm fairly familiar with the characteristics of VHF and purchased a custom wound base loaded stainless whip antenna with 6db gain that I perched on the top of a 6' Shakespeare extension. On the pontoon boat it got out exceptionally well on the lake I run on.

The problem I have now is that I don't have any rails to mount on and would prefer not to mount the antenna on the side outside of the form factor of the boat. (don't want it torn off should someone tie up next to me in a cove).

I have a wrap-around windshield which makes things even trickier.

I've attached a shot of the boat that I hope will give you some idea of what I'm up against. The only places I can think of right off are forward of the windshield on my console or putting the mount on the floor behind my seat but as you mentioned height is a key factor in direct line broadcast and given my druthers I'd rather not give up the 3' of height going to the floor.

I'm open to suggestions on this one from anyone who may have a 245 or anyone else who might have an idea.

Thanks,

ImgMkr

 

[ziggy]

Re: VHF Antenna mounting suggestions

man, that's a tough one.

how about on top of the sink behind your helm.
or on the outside on the back.

problem i see with anything would be ya can't fold it down. short of it being on the outside, side. i agree, that wouldn't be the best and i'd worry about it being ripped off too.
got any better pics of the boat. back, sink area. bow. gunnels. any flat spot that is at gunnel height?

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: VHF Antenna mounting suggestions

I dont kow what your range requirements are but the car stereo SS whip style in VHF form would look nice and clean.