DIY VHF Marine Radio Antenna

[smasci]

it's guys like you that will become invaluable during a collapse.

[submarineboat]

@smasci We're already drawing up plans for Zombie Apocalypse clean up machines. :)

[smasci]

@submarineboat what exactly do you mean by "clean up machines"? i may be interested in one of these.

[JWalkind3]

Thank you very much for this video! I'm gonna try this as soon as possible to replace my small antenna on my old radio scanner.



[submarineboat]

@JWalkind3 Thank you, and good luck.

[Mr314snowman]

Thanks for the video, I just got a marine radio from a buddy to add to my base station, i am going to build one of these so i can listen to the marine traffic on the Mississippi.

[submarineboat]

@Mr314snowman Cool. See marinetraffic-dot-com and you can track the boats.

[boatingisfunUK]

Thanks for the video, I have a question for you. I bought a new VHF radio, and a new 1500mm Antenna. My reception is Excellent but when I am broadcasting to the port's radio (i.e. costguard) the coastguard says the transmission is LOUD but Distorted. What could be the cause of it? Grateful if you could advice me, as here in London (UK) no one is available to ask! Thanks.

[submarineboat]

@boatingisfunUK Wish I could help but I don't know anything about radios. In fact, that antenna is the first thing I ever did for a radio other than kick it when it was not working. As for the coast guard my experience has been that it's best to not talk to them. :)

[vh213]

Thanks for the video, I have a question for you. I bought a new VHF radio, and a new 1500mm Antenna. My reception is Excellent but when I am broadcasting to the port's radio (i.e. costguard) the coastguard says the transmission is LOUD but Distorted. What could be the cause of it? Grateful if you could advice me, as here in London (UK) no one is available to ask! Thanks.

[smokinghull]

Good video, simple solutions usually work! BTW, this antenna is called a Vertical Bazooka.

[submarineboat]

@smokinghull "Vertical Bazooka", Thanks. 20% of the time 80% of the stuff I try works.

[EvansGoth]

Wonderful video, but before I begin to build one, I wanted to know if with something like this and a VHF marine radio I will be able to pick up chatter between boats, ships and even the coastguard? I live in Fort Lauderdale FL, very close to Port Everglades.

[submarineboat]

It will not be as good as a high dollar antenna but it will likely do. And yes, you be able to hear the harbor traffic within at least 7 miles of you, maybe 20 on a good day. Post back and let us know how it works out for you.

[kd4adv]

SO-239 is the name of the connector on the radio that accepts the PL-259 connectors

[henriqueumeoka]

It will not work probably !... A dipole antenna must have each sides diffentes according to the frenquency. PU5HLU.

[submarineboat]

No sorry, it worked great. You must be an engineer. I learned long ago that most engineers are only good for getting that last 10% of performance and generating 90% of the information that just muddies the water for the rest of us. Check out our videos of Argonaut Jr and you will see it in action.

[bacos21]

@henriqueumeoka 

[Corynick86]

Now you have a nice electrically and mechanically sound connection. In a marine environment it wouldn't hurt to fill the connector with some white di-electric grease and put some goop around where the coax jacket meets connector.

[submarineboat]

That's what were looking for. Thanks for the feedback Cory.

[Corynick86]

The proper way is to put braid and all up through the reducer, then fold it down over the reducer. Then thread the two parts together. you should now be able to see the braid through the four holes. Use the holes to feed in the solder to bond the braid, connector, and reducer together. Then go ahead and solder the centre pin, trim if need be then thread the sleeve over the lot.

[Corynick86]

Didn't say anything about not working, and it's probably not too bad. BUT your ground doesn't have a good connection and over time the dissimilar metals will tarnish and voila! burned out radio finals :) Especially for a marine type antenna that will be exposed to the elements.

[submarineboat]

So enlighten us on the proper method.

[Corynick86]

You didn't install the PL-259 connector properly

[submarineboat]

Sucks when you do it wrong and it works anyway. :)

[TheUncleDougger]

The conector on the radio is an SO-239. The PL-259 is the one that goes on the coax cable.

[submarineboat]

Copy that Uncle Dougger, thanks for the correction.

[KC8YOQ]

O i see what i missed! You folded it back (the shield) along the coax in the PVC and you made a folded dipole! Have you tried it on transmit? thanks for the video!!!!

[submarineboat]

Right, and no, we have not tested it for range. I doubt it breaks any records. :)

[KC8YOQ]

@submarineboat Well you might be surprised! Try it BUT don't forget you need to be on the water in your boat when you do! (ha ha ha)

I am going to build me one today

Thanks for the great how to video

[KC8YOQ]

What did I miss/ You made a dipole then taped it together? /

[submarineboat]

I did what?  Speak English. :)

[KC8YOQ]

@submarineboat you made a dipole antenna! That is an antenna with both side the same length! Look it up on Google! BUT then you taped the two sides together to make it one wire! !! Why?

[submarineboat]

Right, both ends are the same length but that are not taped together. The core goes up, and the exposed braid goes down. Now the braid does go down along side the coax and it's taped to that. That is not the recommended arraignment but it works.

[KC8YOQ]

@submarineboat OOPS You are correct! i need to watch this again because i missed something! Great Idea BTW

[njllllljon]

Grrrrrrrreat Video!