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. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Peter wrote: - >I have made up such an item for my handheld, using >good quality coax cable, perhaps RG-58. G'day Peter and all, I seem to remember you also have an antennae made of bamboo and wire which slots in the back of the Klepper seat. How effective is that relative to the standard short VHF trabsceiver antenna? I'm sure a few people would be interested in details of its construction! All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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