AM/FM antena

R

Roy & Dixie

New member
Yesterday as I was installing my newer VHF radio from my poontoon boat into my C-Dory I was surprised by wiring that seems to have been done by a previous owner. On top of the overhead shelf was mounted the old VHF that I was replacing, a commercial vehicle-to-office transmitter which I removed (the VHF antena was being shared using a selector switch which I also removed), and an automobile AM/FM radio with CD player which I am keeping. The 2 antena leads from the AM/FM radio are connected to the port side fwd window frame and the center fwd window frame. All the other window frames are connected in series with short jumper wires. I had thought this had been done by C-Dory due to the frames all being aluminum and to protect them from stray current flow. The short jumpers all look neat and porfessional. But now I realize this must have been done by the previous owner. It ceates a loop antena which runs all the way around the cabin. It definitely works well. Is this a usual way to wire in an AM/FM radio?
 
I have seen this done. It is not a CDory standard. Screen, a loop, a short piece of wire etc will work for a FM antenna. Better for AM is a long wire or ferrite wound loop.

Most of the radios just use a straight piece of wire.
 
On SleepyC, when it came to us, there was one VHF and an AM/FM/CD stereo that also has Weather radio channels on it. Both of those units were combined through a spliter to the single 8ft Commrod antenna. Both functioned very well with good range and clarity. Since then I have made some changes, (added an additional VHF/AIS receiver through a separate 4 ft steel whip) and still have good reception and range with each.

Seems that adding the windows would be overkill.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
We just used a separate Shakespere 4' am fm antenna on a stainless steel mount that folds mounted on our radar arch works fine.
D.D.
 
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