Amazing Power of Good Antennas

[Dockhead]

As part of my mast-out refit this winter, I replaced my VHF antenna with a Shakespeare Galaxy (as recommended by Nick of Jedi) and added a Diamond vhf/uhf ham antenna on my first spreader (10 meters or 33 feet above the water) for amateur radio plus AIS.

Both connected with fat low-attenuation RG213 cable in place of the old thin coax.

I had some initial problems with a Type "N" connector which I bungled, but now everything is working fine.

I am really amazed at the difference it makes to VHF comms. I now hear calls from all up and down the English Channel, from far beyond line of sight range (which I had thought was a natural limitation). From L' Aber Wrach'h, I got a "loud and clear" radio check report from Falmouth Coast guard, more than 100 miles away! I have had to start using the "LO/DX" switch on the radio (an Icom M604) to filter out very distance calls, and I am now using the low power setting (1 watt instead of 25 watts) for most calls. 1 watt is plenty to be heard very well up to 20 miles or so. I had no idea the antenna would make such a difference.

I received a DSC distress call from next to Hurst Castle in the Solent -- from Ushant -- 120 miles away! And that was from a small yacht, so not a high antenna like the Coast Guard has.

Likewise, with AIS, although the antenna is only 10 meters above the water. I see ships all the way across the English Channel, routinely more than 100 miles away.

I don't yet know from how far other vessels can see my AIS transmissions -- I will start checking that soon.

I always thought that VHF was strictly line of sight, so never thought it was worth spending a lot of time or money on antennas. Boy, was I wrong.