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 Install a VHF "basestation" at home		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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hinmo
Navigator

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USA
248 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/29/2009 :  00:35:27  Show Profile
I live 1/4 mile (or less) from the harbor/ocean. I am decommissioning the VHF on my C-25 (still have a hand held on the boat). I have a nice mast mounted antenna. Anybody have a VHF rigged up at home? Obviously I need a dc supply. I am trying to think of a house based antenna mount that won't freak out the Admiral (very particular about curb appeal).

Is this worth the effort? Any other issues?
I would love to use the home "base station" as a VHF scanner and just lurk.
"Kukla" '83 FK,SR
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 10/29/2009 :  05:45:33  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by hinmo</i>
<br />...Any other issues?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yup--it's illegal in the US to transmit on VHF from land--even with a hand-held--unless you're the USCG or other emergency service. So I'll withhold further comment here on the Internet.
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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts
Response Posted - 10/29/2009 :  06:08:46  Show Profile
You can buy a scanner and listen all day long. 120v and no exterior antenna to worry the wife.
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 10/29/2009 :  07:11:52  Show Profile
Put the antenna in the attic and remove the mic. Check the receive current draw and buy a brick power plug with adequate output.
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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts
Response Posted - 10/29/2009 :  11:56:05  Show Profile
We have a backup handheld at home. It's our way old one, still receives. Bought a new one for the boat 'cuz it's speaker wasn't really powerful enough on the boat. Great at home, though. We're not as close as you are, so we don't hear much boat traffic, but listening to VTS (vessel traffic service) here in San Francisco is interesting.

For super lurking though, I agree a full field scanner for all bands would be real fun.
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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts
Response Posted - 10/29/2009 :  13:43:37  Show Profile  Visit delliottg's Homepage
I'll listen on my handheld, but we're over a couple of ridges (and 20 miles) from Puget Sound, so, other than the WX channels don't hear much. On the other hand, when the boat's parked on the side of the house, and I've got the mast up, I can hear quite a bit, although it's frequently only one side of a conversation, even with squelch all the way down. I like listening to it just to hear what's going on. I turn it on while I'm working on the boat in the marina as well, just to listen in. It's especially entertaining in the summer when all the yahoos are out.

If your mast mounted antenna is like mine (a 3' whip), I'm not sure my wife would notice it, especially if you paint it black, or mount it somewhere unobtrusive. It'd be interesting to see how well it worked mounted in the attic as Dave suggested.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.