Any VHF/FM guru's in the house?
Any VHF/FM guru's in the house?
Author
Discussion

Big Al.

Original Poster:

69,336 posts

287 months

Sunday 26th June 2011
quotequote all
Advice please guys, I currently have a Standard Horizon HX2370E VHF/FM Handheld Transceiver.

Now even using it on full power out in the Solent, I can only just get the Coast Guard to pick me up when I transmit. So what I'd like to do is connect it up to the mast aerial that is currently not being used. The boat was originally fitted at some time with a standard inbuilt VHF system.

So is there any way I can connect my hand held to the fixed antennae to increase my transmitting/receiving range?

Any suggestions greatly received, Over! smile

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Sunday 26th June 2011
quotequote all
It's doable Al with an adaptor but please don't think you will get the same performance as a fixed set. Most handhelds only transmit circa 5w so will be down anyway but also you get a loss every time you adapt or connect let alone the loss over the length of cable.

But as you rightly assume you will gain in performance from the added height so in round terms you will improve performance but not to the standard of a fixed set from the same aerial.

When you tot up the security benefits of DSC etc that you get with a fixed set then the outlay soon becomes worthwhile.

Big Al.

Original Poster:

69,336 posts

287 months

Sunday 26th June 2011
quotequote all
We don't venture out far I't really just to improve our Transceiver signals to the coast guard.

We come out of Chi and probably not venture any further afield than the Looe channel - to say the Forts and out as far as Bullock so pretty local really.

We can hear the coast guard no problems, it's just not so good the other way around.

In light of the current climate it will probably be our last year afloat so don't really want to get any new gear, hence me asking the question.

Went to Maplins the other day in Worthing even took the old fixed VHF and the new hand set but couldn't see any plugs or sockets that would tie the stuff together.

Any ideas as to who may be able to advise? smile

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

Sunday 26th June 2011
quotequote all
Not really sure what fitting you have on radio or boat but at the end of the day it is only a coax fitting so surprised Maplin weren't more helpful.

Try looking up standard horizon caw230 which is supposedly the adaptor.


Simpo Two

92,650 posts

294 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
My radio ham expert says:

'He needs to contact these people: www.nevadaradio.co.uk/marine-radio/

They also do lots in Amateur Radio etc. They are in Portsmouth I believe. If he takes his radio to them they can advise about connectors etc.'

Big Al.

Original Poster:

69,336 posts

287 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
Cheers guys I'll follow up the leads. smile