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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Installing VHF anntenna at mast head?

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/09/2002 : 15:22:14

I currently depend on a hand held VHF which is ok as long as the batteries are charged but I want to upgrade to a VHF unit and I am considering installing the antenna at the top of the mast. If anyone has done this or has opinions on the best way to do it please let me know. I am especially concerned on the through deck fitting for the cable and how to fish it through to the control panel area. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. I have a 250WK but I guess the installation process is pretty much the same for all boats?
Steve Steakley
Moon Chaser #385WK

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2002 : 16:00:26

Hi Steve,
The stainless whip antenna from METZ comes with an "L" bracket which is perfect for mast top mounting. I drilled an oversized hole a couple inches below the bracket to accomodate a grommet to protect the cable. I installed a plastic conduit in my mast to secure all wiring. I used a nipple at the top of the conduit which (when tightened) squeezes the coax - to hold it in place vertically. Another oversized hole near the bottom of the mast . . . I'll let the 250 owners explain the thru-deck and beyond.
RG-8X will provide great reception and transmission.

Edited by - OJ on 07/09/2002 21:55:41

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jguyot
1st Mate

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USA
97 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2002 : 16:03:27

Hi Steve
It really is not that difficult. I installed a wind instrument this spring and it was very similar. Already had the VHF installed by the dealer when I bought the boat. I took off the top of the mast and saw the conduit running down the inside & ran the wire down through it. I drilled a hole both at the top and bottom of the mast for the entrance and exit of the wire. I also drilled a hole through the cabin top. West Marine has the fitting you need for the wire to go through the cabin top. I drilled the hole close to the mast light plug. If you take the starboard "eyeball" light out (in the cabin); there is a channel there for mast light wiring. The only problem I had was fishing the wire over to the side. There did not seem to be much of an opening in that area even though it looked like there should be! I ran the wire just inside the lip along the starboard side then up to the control panel area. They mounted the radio on the cabin top near the light by the electrical panel. Seems to work fine and has easy access to mounting when you take the light out.

Hope this helps....

Jerry Guyot
250WK #586
"Sail La Vie"

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2002 : 16:54:05

Steve:

I've read some things that suggest that you can lose as much power on the long run to the masthead as you gain by putting the antenna up there. If I were starting over, I'd seriously consider putting a larger antenna on the stern rail instead of the smaller antenna at the masthead. I know about the line-of-sight thing... I'm not saying I'd do it, but I'd look into it for simplicity and ease of maintenance. If going to the masthead, the heavier coax you use that is the right impedence for VHF, the better--but NOT TV coax.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/09/2002 16:55:36

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 09:01:38

Hi Steve,

I agree with Dave. I've had an 8' fiberglass antenna on the stbd quarter next to the mooring cleat since Snickerdoodle was new. Easy installation, works like a champ, no problems.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Spain
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 09:31:46

Hi Steve,
You know if something happened and you should (God forbid) lose your mast, that would probably be the time you would want to use your VHF. VHF antenna mount aft on the hull makes sense.

Lee Spain
"MARGARETA" C50FK Hull 931

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 09:55:05

Hi Steve,

I agree with Dave and Bill's assesment of the propriety of rail mounting the antenna. I had two Metz mast mounted antennas but was unable to ballance the swr's...blowing the transmit on one radio. I never thought about the need for transmiting power on a dismasted boat, interesting concept. I had one problem with the stern rail mounted antenna...needing a hand grab in a seaway I reached for the aftstay and grabbed the antenna instead...aw shucks. I use the Shakespeare 8' stick @ $29.00 Swrs read 1 to 1 right out of the box. On the C-25 there is a handy transom hole for passing the cable into the boats innards. I don't know if your C-250 is similarly equipped.

Val on "CALISTA" # 3936

Val Bisagni

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jm
Captain

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Canada
290 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 10:05:45

I know it isn't a replacement of, but it is certainly a legit backup to VHF - a cell phone. And in Canada, (not sure if available in US?) a cell phone user can enter *16 and get the Canadian Coast Guard -the same as using VHF Channel 16. The only difference is, CCG won't be able to get a fix on your location if you contact them via cell phone

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 12:32:44

I have an antenna at the masthead. Works great. I have enough stuff around the stern pulpit I didn't want to put it there. In talking to the folks at West Marine, I understood there were two important points: get the right coax cable (RG-8X or RG-8U, the bigger the better); and have one continuous run from antenna to radio. I used a "Blue Sea Cable Clam" at the deck and a line of small plastic clips inside that I can slip the cable in and out of when raising and lowering the mast.

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2002 : 23:54:32

I sail at a lake where there are lots of hills and I thought having the antenna at the mast head would be best but know I will go back and question sailors at my marina with stern mounted antenna's to see if they have any better/worse reception than the boats with the antenna on the mast head. It appears that I will have to lower the mast and install conduit is that is the case. Clearly, the stern mounted antenna is much easier and you do not have to deal with a through deck fitting.....I have seen many more mast head antennas than stern mounts at my Marina but I will have to check out results with the local sailors. Thank you all for your suggestions/comments. If anyone else has same/different solution plese keep the topic going!
Steve Steakley
Moon Chaser #385 250wk

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.