My VHF antenna install

[kthrash]

I have been racking my brain to come up with some solution to mount my VHF antenna. Well here it is, I used a bullet lines speaker clamp in 2 3/8" for my 212x tower and took apart a 1" rail mount VHF mount. Drilled out the hole on the VHF mount to use the bolt with the speaker clamp and voila! Instant antenna mount that I can put anywhere along the tower.

I need to buy a shorth headed bolt so it does not cut into the wire but I think it's perfect. I'll get it mounted in the next couple of weekends!

The antenna easily screws off for travel or when not in use.

 

[ScarabMike]

This is an awesome idea!! Now you got me thinking. I wonder if I could modify one of my Ares flag mounts and do this.
http://cdn3.volusion.com/zn7bu.uswx5/v/vspfiles/photos/BT-FLAGHLD225-PA-2.jpg?1407145082

 

[kthrash]

I actually have two of those flag mounts and it's kinda where I got the idea. Bullet lines sells the speaker mount and a much thinner Bimini mount that looks like the Aerial flag mount without the flag holder. I chose the speaker mount because I wanted the larger mounting surface.

 

[PolarXJ]

Cool idea. I have been looking at ways to mount an antenna on my new boat and like this method.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Edit to show full size photos because this idea rocks!! Well done sir!

 

[kthrash]

finished product..

 

[smthng]

Yeah, that's what I want. I assume you just turn off the radio and remove the antenna when using towables.

 

[kthrash]

Where I put it, it's not in the way of anything, clears my local bridge, and does not interfere with the Bimini.

 

[smthng]

I was more concerned about a skier slinging around in front of the boat and the rope snagging the antenna. I have friends that are stoked about me being able to spin a 180 now that I have a boat with a tower. I suspect there will be many videos of launched skiers before the technique is perfected.

 

[kthrash]

Well in that case yes, the antenna easily unscrews.

 

[sysinu]

I did something similar, I wanted to be able to drive down the highway with it. I think yours will be able to make it down the highway as well (since your antenna is more thin than mine). Your mount is awesome, I wish I had seen this before I tried mine. I had to drill press out custom holes on my mount because I used a roswell clamp (If I were to do it again, I would have used a different clamp altogether), but mine has a similar end product.

 

[justason]

@kthrash found this thread trackin down the same thing you made. What antenna did you use? Antenna mount? I bought the 2 3:8 clamp last week. Workin thru details now.

 

[kthrash]

@kthrash found this thread trackin down the same thing you made. What antenna did you use? Antenna mount? I bought the 2 3:8 clamp last week. Workin thru details now.

I used a Pacifica Aerials Rail Mount that I took apart and bolted to the Speaker mount

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Aerials-SeaMaster-Nylon-Mount/dp/B0096DNKV8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430143009&sr=8-2&keywords=pacific+aerials+rail+mount

and then got a Pacific Aerials VHF antenna..

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Aerials-Seamaster-Pro-Antenna/dp/B009OBCQ5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430143063&sr=8-1&keywords=pacific+aerials+vhf+antenna

 

[justason]

I used a Pacifica Aerials Rail Mount that I took apart and bolted to the Speaker mount

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Aerials-SeaMaster-Nylon-Mount/dp/B0096DNKV8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430143009&sr=8-2&keywords=pacific aerials rail mount

and then got a Pacific Aerials VHF antenna..

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Aerials-Seamaster-Pro-Antenna/dp/B009OBCQ5I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430143063&sr=8-1&keywords=pacific aerials vhf antenna

This is a huge help @kthrash and exactly the clean config i'm after. You happy with the 3 ft 6db range/signal?

 

[kthrash]

It works great in my driveway lol. It will get its real test on the way to Bimini.

 

[MrMoose]

It works great in my driveway lol. It will get its real test on the way to Bimini.

It is good to know that there will be some boats with long-range vhf for the Bimini crossing.

 

[ArmyChief]

@MrMoose ,

My mount using bulletlines speaker tower mount and Shakespeare antenna mount.

 

[SGMPhil]

Great ideas - thanks!

 

[ArmyChief]

It really looks and works awesome.

 

[SGMPhil]

I've got parts (and a new radio) on order now - we'll see how this turns out Chief.