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Antenna splice?

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/02/2003 : 08:36:02

My VHF antenna is mounted on the stern pulpit and its cable comes to the radio thru the quarterberth (duh) where I plug it into the back of the (VHF) radio when I want to use it. The plug looks like an 'rca' type. I'm ignorant of these kind of details, but I wonder if I could use the same antenna for my FM radio (said radio is just like a car stereo) and it does NOT have an antenna attached. It plays CD's great but the radio reception is poor.
I just now thought of posting this question, but have not even asked the guys at my local Radio Shack. I wonder if I could cut into the cable and splice on some kind of adapter to fit my AM/FM radio?

Cap'n Dave
Sailing The Blues
1986 C25 sr/sk #5413

Edited by - on

djones
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 09:16:26

Never splice or combine the VHF cable with the FM entertainment radio cable. The first time you key the mike, the transmit power from the 2-way radio could easily fry the FM radio's input circuitry.

If however, the 2-way is never connected at the same time, the marine antenna can be used for an adequate FM reciever antenna.

There are very special combiners available that can do the job, but the easiest way is to rig a small dipole antenna hidden inside the boat for FM reception. It can be hidden amost anywhere. I can give details if desired.

Happy New Year,
Don Jones "Swept Away" '83 C25 SR/FK

PS: Broadcast Engineer by trade

Edited by - on

MikeM
1st Mate

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72 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 10:37:17

I found an FM antenna at Radio Shack that is used inside a car. It sticks on to a windshield on the inside, behind the rear view mirror. This antenna fits perfectly in the boat, above my radio on the starboard inside wall, facing the stern.

The antenna had a standard plug for a car FM radio. By the way I am using a cheapo radio from Walmart, CD player for $50. Its a lot cheaper that the marine versions and it if ever fails I just replace it.

Mike M
Marblehead, MA
C25 #1212

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 12:19:37

I found an FM antenna that is 29 + feet tall and sits in the center of my boat.. It works quite well and I can pick up stuff from Detroit to Toronto pittsburgh to Indianapolis. Total Cost Zero dollars.

Take your antenna wire from your FM radio, run it under the teak trim on the rail to the Shroud chainplate...

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 01/02/2003 12:21:08

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 01/02/2003 13:21:07

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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1768 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 12:51:55

Take your antenna wire off your FM radio, run it under the teak trim on the rail to the Shroud chainplate...

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk


Greeat idea Duane!

BTW, are you ever going to tell us what that photo in your signature block is supposed to be?!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 13:20:41

Its supposedly the measurers Burgee...

http://www.flags.com/boatofficers.html

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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1768 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 14:13:40

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Its supposedly the measurers Burgee... - Duane

http://www.flags.com/boatofficers.html
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I checked out the link ... 'looks to me like the Measurer got short-changed ... the other burgees are really neat compared to the Measurer's!

Maybe you ought to go back to the pirate?! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 14:26:33

Ya, Duane, it may be tough to get much respect with a powder-blue-and-peach flag... In New York, they'd say "HEY--MEASURE THIS!" <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

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

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 15:21:19

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Ya, Duane, it may be tough to get much respect with a powder-blue-and-peach flag... In New York, they'd say "HEY--MEASURE THIS!" <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hey I flew that thing right under the 25-250 Burgee this entire season. With the beer flag right under it.

Next year everything moves down a peg with this one going on top

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9319962c0a560000000010" border=0>

, however I am not sure the "Dock Committee" will take kindly to this flying anywhere near the beer flag...

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 17:22:14

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 20:25:53

Thanks a million. I'll run an fm antenna-wire from the radio to the factory supplied (29'+) antenna. I missed that standard feature when browsing the owners manual. Cool!! Now I can listen to Minnesota Public Radio's Trailer Home Companion when I'm tying up to the dock Saturday evening.

Cap'n Dave
Sailing The Blues
1986 C25 sr/sk #5413

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2003 : 11:37:38

I use this splitter which has great reception - especially for those weaker NPR stations . . .

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=20219

Edited by - OJ on 01/03/2003 11:39:07

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2003 : 17:26:42

Warning...If your mast is stepped, please do not permanently attach the antenna to the bolt on the shroud chainplate gizmo until the shroud is no longer under load...i.e. do not loosen that bolt with the mast up. 

You can always just solder it in place for temporary reception or tape it in place. Odds are, nothing will happen when you loosen one bolt, but I wouldn't risk it...

dw

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 01/04/2003 13:57:30

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 01/04/2003 13:58:10

Edited by - on

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