Antenna for VHF/FM Radio

[Bucktail Butch]

Anybody out there know anything about matching antennas to VHF/FM marine radios? I have a new Horizon Eclipse+ 25 watt transceiver in my 16 ft. Lund and have been using an eight ft. fibreglass antenna from my old radio, but that antenna is pretty clumsy and in the way in a boat of that size. I'd like to convert to one of the three or four ft. stainless "whip" type antennas. The only reference in the radio's owners manual to an antenna is that it requires a marine VHF antenna with an impedance of 50 ohms. Any suggestions or comments will be most welcome.
Thanks,
Butch

[jpollman]

Butch,

Yes you can put a 3' whip antenna on that radio. You may not get as much range but it should still work fine for most applications. You can get a ratcheting mount that will allow you to swing the antenna down when not in use to get it out of the way. Check the Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops web site. I'm know they carry them there.

Good luck.

[STEINFISHSKI]

I tried the stainless whip on my old 16' and had very limited range in waves. I think it might be ok on a flybridge or mounted higher than the deck. I'd stick with the heavy duty glass model, but thats just my $.02.

[Jason Adam]

Don't forget that VHF is line of sight. The higher your antenna, the more tx\rx range you have...

[Gone Fishing]

Bigger is definitely better. I have a 14 ft. 8 db on the boat and a 27 footer mounted on top of my house chimney. My wife can get a hold of me anywhere I go. On second thought, a 3 footer should be just fine. ;)

[ESOX]

I'd stick with the 8'. With a 3' whip, you will have a very limited range. If you stay with the 8'. don't get the plastic ratcheting mounts, they just dont last. I put my antenna on my 17'6" on top of the gunnel way back by the stern on a zamac mount, and the antenna folds down along the gunnel with the top resting inside to the windshield wing on the inside. Makes covering the boat and trailering simple. The antenna also folds very easily to get out of Trouts way when he is casting from the productive end of the boat, which seems to be whatever end he is casting from........:rolleyes: :confused: :eek: