detachable aerials - your thoughts

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

last Xmas I snapped my 2.4m 27Mhz GME aerial thru an act of careless stupidity. It still works Ok but has some major reinforcing splints etc. It had the usual fold down base. I need to replace because it wobbles & attracts attention to my stupidity ::)! [smiley=dunce.gif]

I see with interest Pacific Aerials make an aerial & base that are detachable by screwing the aerial on/off the base. I am seriously thinking of this as the replacement.

Has anyone feedback on this? For the $13 all I see is convenience.

The new 2.4m GME aerial is around $73 - the removable 2.5m antenna & base $86 ($32.50 + $53.50).

chris

[Sportfish_5]

Saw them at BIAS today. I reckon they are a good thing and will get one next time I need a new aerial.

[mackmauler]

chris, i had one for about 5yrs, generally a good idea though can find itself unscrewed and left at home etc when it shouldnt be, with it being off the base always the tendency for grit etc to get onto the threads and then things become a bit sticky, ruin the thread and it will always be hard to get on and off... great for crabbing in the mangroves with no chance of being ripped off etc, im back to the continually attached type now though I went for the 6ft one and its not really in the way and lies down hard against the gunnel, a good case for a spare aerial at any time i think ???

[Kiktz]

Hi Guys,

I saw these at Trymax Marine, thought they were a great idea.
From what I understood the base could be used for 27meg and VHF. You just use the aerial of choice. The ones I saw definitly had a lil 2ft screw on that you would attach on the base whilst he aerial was not on the boat/ base, and I will stand corrected on this but I am pretty sure that the detachable aerial had a lil plug type feature that you would insert into the bottom of the aerial when not on the boat.

They were around the price range that Chris is talking about may be a lil more,
But my general thoughts is that they are a great Idea. EG IF you currently have a 27meg radio and it dies and then you wanted to move on to a VHF all you have to do id change the aerial not the whole fit out. If you think about it!!! I dont know about you guys but I know with the aerial on the old man's boat I reckon that most of the wear on the aerial comes from rubbing from being layed down whilst in transit.

Hope this of help.....

Cheers Aj

[agnes_jack]

Chris
I have just ordered one for my new tinnie.
I reckon the convenience makes it worth while. The tinnie is set up to go offshore and in the estuarys, so there are plenty of times where an aerial sticking up or even an aerial laying down would be a nightmare. They do come with caps to put over the base and the bottom of the aerial. Guess I'll just have to take a bit of care with the threads.

Regards, Tony

[Steven78]

Tony
Today i am going to pick up my new tinny 4.2m quintrex
I am thinking about putting a radio on it because i might go down to the seaway. And i think saftey is very important. But i dont want to drill hole in my new boat ):

[agnes_jack]

Steven
I am going to mount my radio up under the nose, it can be screwed to the framing under the deck there without causing you any drama. The aerial I will drill a hole to the side of the deck close to where the radio is. The aerial could be mounted on a bracket near the inside corner of the deck over the nose, if you are concerned about a hole in the top. I will put some photo's up after I have finished my fit-out. I rekon it would be very hard to do a decent fit out without drilling holes here and there, I guess the main thing is Don't drill anything until you have sat back and thought about it for a few days, thought about all other possible options, and are 100% sure that is where you want it. What sort of motor have you put on yours Steve?

Regards, Tony

[bj]

Chris I have a Pacific screw off areial on my tinny and have had it on since the tinny was new and they are great. The reception is every bit as good as a fold down areial that I have on a bigger boat and have no trouble recommending one. As for grit getting into the connection and screw on threads etc they come with a push on plastic cap for the base and I have a bit of plastic held on with a rubber band when not in use and I leave the areial in the tinny ready for next time that I go out.There were two lengths mine is 1.8 mtrs and at the time that I bought it 3 years ago that was the longest.Hope I've been of help.

[Steven78]

Its a 30hp Merc just picked it up. I got a rail mount for the aerial which i will mount on the back so i dont have to drill holes. I have not yet worked out a location for the radio but i think i might mount it with some strong double sided tape for now.
Thanks for the info (:

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

thanks to all for the input guys - i thinks i'll be getting one - there don't seem to be any negatives if you maintain properly

[Kiktz]

Chris,

Keep us upto date on how she goes.

Cheers Aj