Help needed for mounting a VHF antenna on a BL 175

J

jmc74

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
RO Number
28470
Messages
30
ok, I have a 2007 bayliner 175BR, and i have a 5' fiberglass VHF antenna i want to install, I have some pictures of one antenna installed on a same type boat, my question is if i install it behind the anchor light socket (above the engine comp) will I have any problems there?

included is the picture of the other boat I found on line, it has it installed in front of the windshield, but i don't really like the location.

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and this is where i want it

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Juan, you can install it anywhere you want to, but one drawback to that particular spot is the ability to "lay" the antenna down when you put on a cockpit or a mooring cover... Its also going to become a tempting target to grab while boarding from the stern.
 
well, im begining to regret installing the vhf radio, as I can't find a good location for the antenna, I should had bought a handheald VHF radio... I just noticed, small boats don't really need a fix mount vhf... I wonder what else I can install on it's place, as I mounted it above/left the dashboard, and I have a fish finder already, but if i remove it i'll have 3 holes, 2 for mount & 1 for cable run...

any sugestions?
 
Most antennas on boats similar to yours are mounted on the outside of the boat almost but not directly behind where the throttles are mounted. This makes it easy to raise and lower the antenna from the pilots seat.
 
You don't need a VHF because of the size of your boat? Wrong. Where do you boat? Your profile says you are in Antioch. I wouldn't want to just have a HH VHF in those waters. If all of your boating is on foothill lakes, then VHF may not be your best bet, but in the Delta you need a VHF and antenna.

When I had my 19ft BL cuddy, I used a 3db whip antenna attached to the metal support of my bimini. You'll need metal-to-metal contact to ground the whip. It put the whip high enough for a good signal and was easy to remove when necessary.
 
I used to own a 19' Bayliner 195 Classic, and mounted an antenna on the passenger side, just below the windshield (next to where the passenger sits). It would lay down and not effect the mooring cover. It was an 8' 6dB regular F/G antenna.

I decided on that installation location by laying the antenna down, as if in the stowage position, making sure there was plenty of room.

Hope that helps...
 
Juan,

I think you made a good decision in getting a fixed mount VHF. They have a lot more power and when you really need the radio in a distress situation, you want all the power you can get. I think you may want to change the antenna your planning to use. A 5 ft. fiberglass one is pretty big for that boat. I am using a 3 ft. steel one from Shakespeare and get great reception with it. I was able to talk with a friend between Antioch and Pittsburg from Three River Reach. I mounted it where Dug suggested but I've also seen rail mounts if you don't want to drill holes in your hull.
 
Besides the previously mentioned concern about it becoming an unsafe handhold for people on the swim platform, my thought is that your suggested location will always be in the way of securing a ski tow line to the tow point just aft. You'll always have to reach "around" the antenna to do this. Additionally, which direction are you planning to "lay down" the antenna? To either side, it will stick out beyond the gunwale. Forward, it will stick into the cockpit, and aft it will be like a fishing pole. You might try one of the aft corners, where it could lay down forward along the side of the hull, but I also like the idea of having it close enough to the driver that it can be lowered easily.

BTG
 
ok, I understand about the safety so I think I found a better place... let me know what you people think...

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Yes, that was the location I was thinking of, though I was thinking of folding it forward rather than sideways, but whatever works best on your boat is what you should do.

BTG
 
Well, all of the concerns about people using it to grab hold are still there, especially since you are mounting it on the same side as the swim ladder. I like AbsoLoot's idea of the whip antenna attached to the railing up front. No more holes to drill and it won't be as obvious as the larger F/G one!
 
well, im concerned about mounting it on the other side, as the GAS tank is there, and I know VHF antennas can posible spark, as I read on the web.
 
If you follow the suggested "all electrical devices off, master electrical off" while refueling, the VHF wouldn't be doing anything remotely sparky while gassing up. I've never seen sparks at or around a VHF antenna (unlike HF or SSB antennas, which can spark) so I'm not sure I see an appreciable risk during normal operation, either.

BTG
 
across from the other antenna in front near the windslield
not on the transon it will get in the way for sure

go with a short 3' vhf with a swival lay down mount
or the short stainless whip, bill
 
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