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daninPA
Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
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 Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 6:49 pm Post subject: Air Wave VHF Antenna? |
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I’ve searched around and see no mention of Air Wave Antenna on this site, and few on others (except the usual bot “review” sites).
They’re made in FL and specs seem decent. I also like the universal mount and cable-included price.
https://airwavemarine.com/products/marine-vhf-antenna
Anyone have any experience with these products? |
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ssobol
Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3372
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Air Wave VHF Antenna? |
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| daninPA wrote: | I’ve searched around and see no mention of Air Wave Antenna on this site, and few on others (except the usual bot “review” sites).
They’re made in FL and specs seem decent. I also like the universal mount and cable-included price.
https://airwavemarine.com/products/marine-vhf-antenna
Anyone have any experience with these products? |
What distinguishes these antennas from any of the others? |
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Barry Rietz
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 409
City/Region: Sierra Vista
State or Province: AZ
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:28 pm Post subject: Air Wave Antenna |
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Two major advantages are the elimination of the need to mess with installing the "PL-259" connector, and not having to drill the larger holes.
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Barry Rietz
N9DXC |
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daninPA
Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: Air Wave Antenna |
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| Barry Rietz wrote: | | Two major advantages are the elimination of the need to mess with installing the "PL-259" connector, and not having to drill the larger holes. |
Those are good advantages.
Do you have one? |
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srbaum
Joined: 30 Aug 2010
Posts: 877
City/Region: Portsmouth
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2007
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Vessel Name: Osprey
Photos: Osprey
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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Based upon my experience and advice from fellow radio tech’s, I went with the brand Digital and have been very pleased withe the overall quality of the antenna.
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Steve Baum
Homeport of Portsmouth, VA
OSPREY (Ex Mister Sea) 2000 22 C-Dory 2010 - Sold 3/19
OSPREY (Ex ADITI) 2007 26 Cape Cruiser 2018 |
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daninPA
Joined: 16 Aug 2020
Posts: 238
City/Region: MOUNT JOY
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 10:49 pm Post subject: Re: Air Wave VHF Antenna? |
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| ssobol wrote: | | daninPA wrote: | I’ve searched around and see no mention of Air Wave Antenna on this site, and few on others (except the usual bot “review” sites).
They’re made in FL and specs seem decent. I also like the universal mount and cable-included price.
https://airwavemarine.com/products/marine-vhf-antenna
Anyone have any experience with these products? |
What distinguishes these antennas from any of the others? |
Made in USA, decent specs, smaller connectors, mounts to existing rachet mount… |
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jkidd
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1615
City/Region: Northern, Utah
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C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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The first photo I see is with the antenna "swept back". This is a "no no" in marine VHF (or any vertical antenna). It ruin's the shape of the radiated pattern.
Then there are no documented tests of SWR, resinate frequencies or RF output.
I consider the Morad to be of the best--each antenna is checked for SWR, for resonate frequency and band width. They also have the mini UHF fittings which are easy to thread thru tubing on towers etc, which the Airwave seem to have.
Morad are much more expensive, and one pays for quality. I have taken an antenna analyzer to the West Marine store when looking at in stock antennas. Unfortunately there was not a lot of consistency in the less expensive antennas.
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Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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jkidd
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1615
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| thataway wrote: |
The first photo I see is with the antenna "swept back". This is a "no no" in marine VHF (or any vertical antenna). It ruin's the shape of the radiated pattern.
Then there are no documented tests of SWR, resinate frequencies or RF output.
I consider the Morad to be of the best--each antenna is checked for SWR, for resonate frequency and band width. They also have the mini UHF fittings which are easy to thread thru tubing on towers etc, which the Airwave seem to have.
Morad are much more expensive, and one pays for quality. I have taken an antenna analyzer to the West Marine store when looking at in stock antennas. Unfortunately there was not a lot of consistency in the less expensive antennas. |
I was only looking at his comments on the Airwave antenna. His article is kind of all over the place considering he has a mag base antenna and a television antenna in the piece.
I'll second the vote for Morad. I use them for the VHF and the 2 meter in the boat. |
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daninPA
Joined: 16 Aug 2020
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City/Region: MOUNT JOY
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C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NAVIRE
Photos: daninPA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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This is an excellent series of posts -- thank you!
My only hesitation with the Morad is everything has to be replaced up to the radio.
My original plan was to replace first the antenna, then the cable (as I suspect the radio is fine). Then after further review realized the cable is also a likely weak link.
The ratchet mount is fine. |
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jkidd
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1615
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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| You could find someone at a local Ham club that has an analyzer and get them to test your cable and antenna. |
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colbysmith
Joined: 02 Oct 2011
Posts: 4546
City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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| daninPA wrote: | This is an excellent series of posts -- thank you!
My only hesitation with the Morad is everything has to be replaced up to the radio.
My original plan was to replace first the antenna, then the cable (as I suspect the radio is fine). Then after further review realized the cable is also a likely weak link.
The ratchet mount is fine. |
If you’re having problems with receiving or transmitting, the first place I would look is at your connectors, unless you see any damage to your antennas or cables. More than once I’ve found that to be the problem. Colby |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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City/Region: Pensacola
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C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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| colbysmith wrote: | | daninPA wrote: | This is an excellent series of posts -- thank you!
My only hesitation with the Morad is everything has to be replaced up to the radio.
My original plan was to replace first the antenna, then the cable (as I suspect the radio is fine). Then after further review realized the cable is also a likely weak link.
The ratchet mount is fine. |
If you’re having problems with receiving or transmitting, the first place I would look is at your connectors, unless you see any damage to your antennas or cables. More than once I’ve found that to be the problem. Colby |
There have been several articles which show failure to various degrees with the crims on PL 259. Most casual boaters do not have the skills to do a really good solder joint on the cable and a PL 259--thus the mini UHF connectors on several of the cables from higher end antennas.
Every part of the system has to be working to perfection. VHF is one of the most important safety links on your boat. |
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colbysmith
Joined: 02 Oct 2011
Posts: 4546
City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | There have been several articles which show failure to various degrees with the crims on PL 259. Most casual boaters do not have the skills to do a really good solder joint on the cable and a PL 259--thus the mini UHF connectors on several of the cables from higher end antennas. |
I was thinking in terms of corrosion. Even inside the boat we get a lot of moisture. (And bad soldering joints don't help.) |
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Robert H. Wilkinson
Joined: 26 Jan 2011
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City/Region: Port Ryerse
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Vessel Name: Romakeme IV
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:55 am Post subject: |
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| colbysmith wrote: | | Quote: | | There have been several articles which show failure to various degrees with the crims on PL 259. Most casual boaters do not have the skills to do a really good solder joint on the cable and a PL 259--thus the mini UHF connectors on several of the cables from higher end antennas. |
I was thinking in terms of corrosion. Even inside the boat we get a lot of moisture. (And bad soldering joints don't help.) |
You have come to the right website for help - lots to find in the electronics archives including this excellent tutorial from Thataway complete with step by step pictures. Thank you for taking the time to post this in such easy to follow detail Bob.
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=17689
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Talk to me and I will listen-- but if its not about boats or fishing all I will hear is bla,bla,bla,yada,yada,zzzzzzzz |
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