In the age of cell phones, satellite phones and long-distance HAM/SSB radios, your marine VHF radio is still the most basic, foundational, go-to electronic communication device on your vessel. But a good, properly installed VHF is worth nothing unless it is properly grounded and connected to an external antenna, preferably at the masthead. With prices ranging from around $50 to roughly $500, depending on length, mounting system and type of vessel, the span of choices can at first be intimidating.
Among most cruising boats ranging from, say, 30 to 45 feet LOA, the size of boat is irrelevant when it comes to installing a VHF antenna. However, with very large vessels, which have much taller masts, signal loss over long lengths of coaxial cable can diminish transmission power. Smaller vessels can get away with the standard RG-58 cable, but larger boats will need to use RG-8 or even RG-213 cable to get a satisfactory signal out. But remember, the heavier the cable, the more foot pounds of weight over long lengths. For this reason, RG-8 is the generally accepted compromise for bigger yachts.
Also, finding a high-gain antenna is particularly important for larger vessels. The Tram 1600-HC offers 6dB of gain, making it a good choice for any sailing yacht. Available for as low as $50, this high-gain antenna coupled with RG-8 or RG-213 coax offers superior performance, particularly for installations on tall masts. The Tram 1604, priced only a few dollars higher, comes with a stainless mount and an attractive design but offers only 2.5dB gain.
An industry leader in marine antenna systems is Shakespeare, which started out manufacturing fishing reels and fiberglass rods, giving them the expertise and technology to expand into marine antennas.
Among the wide assortment of Shakespeare VHF antennas, three are best suited to the typical sailing vessel with a masthead antenna: the 4200, 5241-R and, a model designed with extra bandwidth for AIS transceivers, the 5215-AIS. All three offer 3dB of gain, and all three are of the same length, 3 feet. Also, the trio use the same PL-259 coax connectors, which you install with your choice of RG-58, RG-8 or RG-213 coax.
The Shakespeare 4200 VHF antenna features a highly polished stainless base and an L bracket to be mounted just below the masthead. The 5241-R has a slightly thicker element, which is a great benefit in strong wind conditions where we still need the same antenna performance we enjoy in settled conditions.
The Shakespeare 5215 features the “Squatty Body,” a distinctive, white cylinder base bearing the Shakespeare logo. The 5215 is among the most advanced antennas in its class, offering extra bandwidth for AIS transceivers, which are now ubiquitous on offshore sailing yachts.
All three of these Shakespeare antenna packages are available at modest prices and are standard equipment on sailing vessels throughout North America. Whether you choose a Tram, a Shakespeare or another competitor, consider signal gain, wind resistance and bandwidth before making that decision.