back stay antenna

[lunasee]

Hi All
I have a Challanger 40. Ir has insulaters on the top and bottom of the back stay. Do I need an antenna tuner to use it for my VHF.
If so what kind ect?
Dan R

[Gary H]

You do not want to use a backstay as a VHF antenna. Backstays are frequently used for HF (SSB) radio.

[Caribsailors]

Originally Posted by Gary H

You do not want to use a backstay as a VHF antenna. Backstays are frequently used for HF (SSB) radio.

Agree

Cheers

[dandrews]

Originally Posted by lunasee

Hi All
I have a Challanger 40. Ir has insulaters on the top and bottom of the back stay. Do I need an antenna tuner to use it for my VHF.
If so what kind ect?
Dan R

A small VHF antenna on the mast head is what you should use for VHF.

Don

[sww914]

Antennas are a certain length to match a certain wavelength. While there is a slight chance that it could be the right length for your VHF, it seems unlikely.
This frequency specific length is the reason that antenna tuners exist. You can either have an antenna for each wavelength or you can have a tuner for your shortwave radio whether it's an SSB or HAM. They operate on a much wider range of frequencies than a VHF which only uses a small range so it only needs an antenna of one length.

[lunasee]

Thank you all. That tells me it's not a good idea and why, which is what I needed to know.
Dan R