[Paddlewise] VHF Antenna

	Evan,   Are you looking to make up a temporary or emergency VHF antenna to
pick up the international marine VHF frequencies...?

	I have made up such an item for my handheld, using good quality coax cable,
perhaps RG-58.  You strip back the outside protective covering and the metal
shielding to expose the inner core at the 'high' end of your antenna.   I am
going on memory here, [ I am at work ] but I think the length of the strip
back is 17 and three quarter inches,  in your imperial measurements.
Perhaps one of the other radio enthusiasts on Paddlewise can confirm that
length of stripback for the marine frequencies.

	Connect a BNC or similar adaptor so you can replace your standard rubber
ducky antenna [ if you are using a handheld] and hoist your antenna
vertically.

	It is important to have your antenna vertical, and cut to the right length.
Try your antenna on receive only;  if you can receive, you should be able to
transmit on the frequency you are receiving.

	 Remember that this emergency antenna is less efficient on transmit than
the rubber ducky, especially if you are using several metres of coax.  And
using such an antenna will probably void your transceiver's warranty, if you
read the fine print.

	But it will give you a higher horizon,  remembering VHF works on 'antenna
line of sight' ,  so the higher the antenna, the better.   Hope this helps.
Of course,  if you can't be bothered fiddling,  just buy a made-up emergency
VHF antenna from your marine supplier for $50 or so.  They are sold to
yachtsmen for use in case they lose their main antenna in a dismasting.

Cheers, Peter Rattenbury, Wollongong, Australia.
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