K9Kampers wrote:I've got a radio question to add to the mix. I have a Shakespeare SE700 handheld currently as my primary. Is it (A)-possible & (B)-practicle to connect an external (as in mast or rail mount) antenna to a handheld radio?
Per the owner's manual, the SE-700 uses an SMA antenna connector, common on handhelds.
You can use an SMA male (if that's the same as what's on the end of the rubber ducky antenna) to SO-239 (UHF) adapter to accept external antenna cables that have a PL-259 on the end. I prefer the cable pigtail ones (with a connector on each end of a short cable, because the all-in-one units can put a lot more leverage on the radio's SMA connector if they're hit.
It is practical to use an external antenna, either a 4' fiberglass or a 3' whip, on the stern pulpit or stanchion with a ratcheting rail mount. I would use a 4' marine antenna extension between the antenna and rail mount to get the antenna up above cockpit occupants.
Icom (don't know the model number but the one that interfaces with the GPS for a fixed unit mounted inside the cabin starboard side of companion way with soon to be hooked up external input into a hailer speaker/amplifier
To be purchased as soon as tax rebate arrives, Standard Horizon floater, would like gps model but due to pricing will likely go with base floater.
Fixed 8 foot whip antenna mounted on mast support, had it on rail, but moved to mast support to use less hardware, don't broadcast enought to worry about radiation burns, use mostly for info on tugs and floating hazzards.
Definately good idea to have handheld as primary or backup for mobility and freedom from shipboard power problems, if your battery dies and your motor won't start, it is kind of hard to radio for a tow.
Moe-
Thanks for the info & link. I have to dig out my manual. I'll read up on it. Just curious if anyone else has done this & if it's worth it, short or installing a fixed radio. Or both, as Tangent says.
Okay based on my "I know a guy" discount I'm going with the Uniden UM525 and I think placement over by the fusebox is the way to go. The Shakespeare 4400 antenna comes with a 15 foot coax. Do you think that's enough to run from the radio to the cabintop near the mast for attachment to a thruhull connector?
I realize I should probably do this after I get the boat and can measure but I've got a friend who can get me a significant discount and I just happen to be driving by his city about 5 hours into my trip to pick up the boat.
I made the mistake of stopping by Blue Water Ships Store and drooling over chartplotters and such at lunch. Best to push that to the back of my mind for now, lol. One thing at a time.
You do not want an antenna that has an attached cale if you are going to mast mount. see this info about why you want a 3db gain antenna and this is an example because you should run the antenna wire up the inside of the mast and add a connector that will allow you to remove the antenna when the mast is down.
AH! Thanks. I had given my guy the wrong part number and would have received this one without your post. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was wondering why it came with cable when the last one I bought hadn't.
ADDED: Thank goodness for professionals. I called my friend after reading your post and said I gave him the wrong antenna. He'd already figured that out a couple hours ago and set the 4200 aside for me instead.
hart wrote:Okay based on my "I know a guy" discount I'm going with the Uniden UM525 ....
There's a side-benefit to this radio's wireless remotes, which can serve as intra-boat communicators. A remote mike can be a benefit for anchoring duty. It's quite difficult for the bow and helm to communicate when anchoring. If helm can stretch the mike cord from the base station, it's an easy way to avoid hand-signaling. An important adjuct feature of the WHAM4 mikes is that they can attach a voice-activated headset ... also important for the bow person.
I guess you might find a FRS system that incorporates voice-activated headsets??... not sure. Either way, a v-act headset is definitely on my futures list ... don't wanna be trying to thumb a mike while managing anchor & chain.
On the other side of the world, in West OZ, we have to have radio operator qualifications to operate VHF. Everyone here normally use 27 meg. the marine band of CB.
There is no conflict with land based CB users.
The exam used to be very tough and a couple of years ago when i did a refresher course for commercial Grade Five skipper, the radio branch failed 13 out of the class of 15...and half of them were mature experienced fishing boat skippers already.
The standards must have been lowered recently, as some private marine firms are advertising schooling in gaining the certificate.
One positive aspect is that it is a lifetime certificate that does not involve an annual fee...YET!.
puggsy wrote:On the other side of the world, in West OZ, we have to have radio operator qualifications to operate VHF. Everyone here normally use 27 meg. the marine band of CB.......
Puggsy 06
What do you do if you decide to take a - what is the OZ term for cruising ?? a float about?? . Do you purchase a VHF to use everywhere else? And what about our no test VHF operator license, we do have to license the base station, is it honored over there? I guess you could always log onto our FCC website and get a US license
Unless newer technology has safeguarded this, its important to get VHFantenna connections good and firm.
When you transmit, you send a lot of RF power up the antenna, and if you dont have a load on the power side, you can damage the transmit side circuitry.
Moe and Rich know a lot more about this and will know if this is no longer an issue, but I think it still is.
Since I do not have the mast crutch arch on my transom (pod mounted crutch) I opted for running up the mast head. I did not use a thru hull but instead ran the cable straight down off the antenna bottom, down to the near bottom of the mast, out a hole I drilled, then routed it along plastic cable clips from Rona Hardware down the hatch slide to the top port corner of the companionway where it enters the cabin through a gap there and then conect it to the UM525 radio - mounted port side under fuse box. When time comes to take the mast down I have to disconect the end from the radio and unclip the 12' or so along the hatch slide and coil it up. This gives me about 42' of continuous un-interupted cable from antena to radio, no sharp bends or thru hull connecters to impede the signal. I usd RG8x as it was easier to buy and it is less than 50' overall. I have a 3db Commander antenna, metal, about 3' long.
KHE: I imagine it is still an issue. I was in radio for 15 years and had a bit of fun learning about RF from the engineers and pretending I knew what they were talking about.
Terry As I'll be keeping my mac in the yard I will do a thru hull but your way makes for a very clean install as long as you don't forget about it when you lower the mast.
Stupid question time: What makes coax marine grade? Better shielding?
Kelly Hanson East wrote:...
When you transmit, you send a lot of RF power up the antenna, and if you dont have a load on the power side, you can damage the transmit side circuitry.....
The manufactures' say this is only a problem during the warranty period when they have to send you a bill for the repairs and this added paperwork requires them to hire additional personnel to handle the complaints and collections. After the warranty is over they recommend that you slowly let the connections degrade until they have time to bring out their new feature fill wizz bang model.
hart wrote:Stupid question time: What makes coax marine grade? Better shielding?
I'd rather ask a stupid question than make a stupid mistake, actually I don't think there is any such thing as a stupid question.
As for marine grade of anything, it is the resistance to corrosion that warrants the marine grade label. Marine grade label also justifies higher profits for retailers.
You have to remember to dis-connect the thru hull when you take the mast down too.
Last edited by Terry on Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
