Need to buy a new VHF antenna for my 17’ HenryO. The boats design and fuel capacity will will do R8 and 4KI and such comfortably and safely. So, I’d like to maintain that kind of reach. The boat originally had a 4’ antenna that was adequate for inshore use. I am going to go with a new 8’ antenna.
The effective range for a given setup is largely a function of the height of the two antennas. So, I’m trying to figure out if an 8’ antenna mounted on the gunnel of my boat (antenna base about 3’ off the water) will effectively reach the Charleston Coast Guard from places like 4KI and R8. According to information like the table at the bottom of http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=VHF-Antennas , an 8’ antenna on my boat migth not even reach the Chas. CG antenna if their antenna is less than 100’. Unfortuntely, there is no better place to mount my antenna. It could go ontop of one of the consoles (side-by-side), but, that would only get it about 6" higher. The hand rails over the windshields are not structured to handle that kind of load. So, unless I put an antenna arch of some sort on the boat, the antenna will stay on the gunnel.
Questions:
Does anyone have any idea of the height of the Charleston Coast Guard antenna? And, Tybee Island? I’ve emailed them and am waiting a reply.
And, are there others of you out there that fish boats with antennas that low or similar that can tell me how well you can reach back to Charleston from R8 or 4KI?
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
quote:
8' antenna on my boat migth not even reach the Chas. CG antenna if their antenna is less than 100'.
Not to worry, their antenna is a lot higher than that. It used to be on the Sullivan’s Is lighthouse at 165’, but I think they moved it to a new tower by the light and it’s a lot higher. I know their VHF weather antenna is reported at 305 feet, probably where the USCG antenna is now.
See this site for a coverage map based on 1 watt and sea level antenna
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtNds
CG Tybee is also well over 100’.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
I will tell you from a recent experience that we were talking to the Coast Guard, loud and clear, from 45+ miles out on a bow rail mounted antenna the other day. I believe his is an 8ft Shakespeare with a 6db gain. At least that is what he told me to get, and that’s what I have on my boat, so I’m assuming it’s the same on his boat. Anyway, this kind of antenna will get you the Coasties from very far out.
Thanks for the info. The navcen site is exactly the coverage data I wanted. And, the actual usage info is also very helpful.
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
I’m not familar with all the lingo that ya’ll use but I have a 4’ antenne on the center console of my 17’ seahunt that I can get a good radio check from Capt. Steve @ Tow Boat from the Edisto 60’. I have listened to boats talking to the Coast Guard in Charleston but have never had to contact them.
You can’t catch fish on a dry line
quote:
Thanks for the info. The navcen site is exactly the coverage data I wanted.
No problem. From personal experience, almost anyone with a decent radio can talk to the CG from 30-40 miles. A good install will easily reach 100 miles.
Keep in mind too, in an emergency you don’t have to directly get the CG, you just have to get somebody who can get the CG. Not many of us ever get out of VHF range of somebody.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Thanks, again for more info. Sounds like an 8’ on my boat will do all I need.
Marsh Picker, if you are interested, the link in my initial post is a good short primer on the lingo.
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott