Air Wave VHF Antenna?

Barry Rietz":10myg0kk said:
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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Those are good advantages.

Do you have one?
 
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.
 
ssobol":3l8a0dxv said:
daninPA":3l8a0dxv said:
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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What distinguishes these antennas from any of the others?
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Made in USA, decent specs, smaller connectors, mounts to existing rachet mount…
 
jkidd":zyn6ft8j said:
I found this link for what it is worth.

https://www.hamtronics.com/best-vhf-antennas/
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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.
 
thataway":2itg5qbc said:
jkidd":2itg5qbc said:
I found this link for what it is worth.

https://www.hamtronics.com/best-vhf-antennas/
Click to expand...

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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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.
 
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.
 
daninPA":37qcjbbj said:
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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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
 
colbysmith":1jie7hdt said:
daninPA":1jie7hdt said:
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.
Click to expand...

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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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.
 
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.
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I was thinking in terms of corrosion. Even inside the boat we get a lot of moisture. (And bad soldering joints don't help.)
 
colbysmith":2aht4yqv said:
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.
Click to expand...

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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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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