SSB Whip Antenna will break?

[myocean]

I want to install a whip antenna on my catamaran but the only suitable location for this is close to the stern where one enters the boat (just at the inner side of on hull at the upper end of the stairs). There is no guardrail or so around.
So I am afraid that one day somebody will grab hold on it and break it.
How robust are such antennas and the mounting solutions?

[SoonerSailor]

Originally Posted by myocean

I want to install a whip antenna on my catamaran but the only suitable location for this is close to the stern where one enters the boat (just at the inner side of on hull at the upper end of the stairs). There is no guardrail or so around.
So I am afraid that one day somebody will grab hold on it and break it.
How robust are such antennas and the mounting solutions?

They can be mounted very robustly. Put a sticker with a High Voltage Warning on it right where someone might want to grab. That might make such grabs a bit less likely.

[Krakato]

If you want to get really fancy you can install the whole thing inside a PVC pipe and mount the pipe at it's base firmly.

[FSMike]

My ex had one on her cat mounted on the port aft deck by the transom. It was stabilized by rigging tape attaching it to the top rail of the pushpit. Did just fine for 10 years or so when we replaced it because it was starting to degrade, probably from the uv. We put the new one in the same place.

[btrayfors]

SSB whip antennas are unlike VHF, AIS, AM/FM, GPS, cellphone, WiFi, and other antennas in that they are long, typically over 20' long.

They need a secure mounting base AND need to be supported a few feet above the base. Special mounts are sold for that purpose.

If you don't have a rail nearby, find another place to mount the antenna where it can be properly supported.

Bill

[Cheechako]

Put a SS handrail on.

[colemj]

Not all SSB whip antennas need secondary support above the base. We have a free-standing 28' whip mounted on our arch with no other support. I think a gorilla could lift itself grabbing the first 2-3'' of the base and not do any damage at all.

Shakespeare make 23' and 28' freestanding antennas.

Mark