Twin VHF antennas?

[Overpowered]

I have this antenna
http://shakespeare-marine.com/antennas.asp?antenna=5235-XT
its made for AM/FM

But looks just like my VHF antenna

 

[peterkvs]

Shakespeare makes a VHF antenna and an AM/FM Antenna that look identical. That is what I used on my boat. Leaning back looks good, but the best transmission and reception quality is when the antenna is perpendicular to the water. Take care to align the antennas BEFORE you drill all the mounting hole. It really looks bad if the antennas tilt at different angles.

Pete

 

[dpmulvey]

Ooooooh Yeaaaaaaaah

Wouldn't the angle affect the antenna performance?

 

[dwna1a]

Both mounts, the one ordered and the current one will allow the antennas to be layed back at the same angle. Both must be layed back to fit under the roof of my slip and under a fixed bridge along the Colonial Parkway. Once I'm away from the marina I raise the one I already have, most times I just leave it angled back. I guess for now I will be using one as a stereo antenna. I will post photos once I'm done.

 

[Molson]

 

[dwna1a]

Molson, mine is mounted to the sides of the arch and when lied back it matches the angle of the frame work for my hard top
This is an older photo but it shows how it looks as a single antenna

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

I really like the duel look. I have whats left of a mounting bracket on my port side, and have been thinking of using it for a FM antenna. I know Shakespere makes an identical whip as the VHF,You may have convinced me! LOL Good Luck dwna1a

 

[dwna1a]

I really like the duel look. I have whats left of a mounting bracket on my port side, and have been thinking of using it for a FM antenna. I know Shakespere makes an identical whip as the VHF,You may have convinced me! LOL Good Luck dwna1a

I ordered everything I'm gonna need last night, mount, 8' AM/FM antenna. Once in I will post a new photo

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

Great! I'd love to see the finished product. I probably won't do this before splash time since I have too many other projects in the works, but it is definitely on the radar.

 

[Gunn]

Shakespeare makes a VHF antenna and an AM/FM Antenna that look identical. That is what I used on my boat. Leaning back looks good, but the best transmission and reception quality is when the antenna is perpendicular to the water. Take care to align the antennas BEFORE you drill all the mounting hole. It really looks bad if the antennas tilt at different angles.

Pete

I was thinking of adding a second VHF antenna and using a filter to hook it up as my stereo antenna. That way, I would get improved FM reception, better looks of having two antennas, and a redundant VHF antenna for 'just in case'.

When I purchased my boat a couple of years ago the PO had just coiled the 2nd VHF antenna wire within the radar arch. I purchased a connector to connect it to the FM antenna of the stereo, which happened to be on that same side of the boat. Works pretty good. And at least now it's truly functional!

As far as mounting, above is a great tip. The PO used the same bracket, but didn't get it perfectly aligned with the other side. The bracket has a cam lever with teeth to lock it in place every so many degrees. There is a difference between the two that absolutely drives me crazy! I was able to shim the bracket so that both are perfectly plumb when looking from the rear. But the FM antenna side can never get into the same plane as the other antenna when looking side-on. I'd have to rotate the entire bracket just a bit...so be sure to set it all up before drilling!

Tom

 

[searay40dad]

I added a second VHF before my trip to FL. Allows me to monitor commercial traffic channels or stay on a locks working channel while keeping channel 16 free. I'm not sure it did much for the looks but my daughter wants me to make this my signature pic for some reason so must not be that bad.

 

[dwna1a]

Great! I'd love to see the finished product. I probably won't do this before splash time since I have too many other projects in the works, but it is definitely on the radar.

I've gotta find something to do, port engine will be down for repairs next week. New oil cooling unit, old one is leaking water under the port engine.

 

[dwna1a]

I added a second VHF before my trip to FL. Allows me to monitor commercial traffic channels or stay on a locks working channel while keeping channel 16 free. I'm not sure it did much for the looks but my daughter wants me to make this my signature pic for some reason so must not be that bad.

View attachment 29693

I'm sorry....nothing could make your boat look bad.....THATS gonna be my next boat :smt001

 

[tdschafer]

I added a second VHF before my trip to FL. Allows me to monitor commercial traffic channels or stay on a locks working channel while keeping channel 16 free. I'm not sure it did much for the looks but my daughter wants me to make this my signature pic for some reason so must not be that bad.

View attachment 29693

That is a great pic!! One thing that I noticed though is the placement of your Satellite for the TV. Does that interfere with your radar at all??

 

[dwna1a]

Update, after waiting three weeks for a new mount to show from another distributer I went to WM and picked up a new one. The new PhaseIII antenna is ready to go and wires are in place. Photos will be on site tomorrow night.