VHF Antenna 4′ or 8′

Just checking in with the experts for your opinion on antenna length. Just as in the bedroom, I would assume size does matter. I am mostly looking for decent communication (ship to ship)and weather on Mille Lacs. Could I get by with a decent Galaxy 4′ or do I need a 8′. I am hoping a 4′ would suffice. Thanks for your input.

I have been using a 4 footer in the boat on Milly for the last 4-5 years. No complaints. I’m running this antenna >>> Little Giant

-J.

I run an 8 footer. The antenna is for transmitting – and the taller – the better. You’ll recieve fine with a 4 footer, but will end up not being able to answer all the calls you hear. My transmit range can cover all of Mille Lacs from most any point – but a 4 footer won’t. I am not sure about the high performance models like the 4 footer that Jon mentioned.

Tim

I had a four foot the first time out to Lake Erie. As soon as I got back from that trip I put the eight foot on. Tim is right on. You will be able to hear people, but you will have a hard time getting your message out to others. This is just my personal observation.
FDR

Erie and Mille Lacs are two different animals! If I fished Erie, or any of the other great lakes, I would go with the 8 footer or at least have one in the boat.

I’ve busted every 8 footer I have owned. Never get more than a few moths out of them. I’m hard on my stuff. Personally, I think that 4 ft Giant is a better constructed, better internal materials ect and is just as effective as a cheaper 8 footer. Given the choice, I’ll take the giant over many of the cheaper “whip” antenna’s.

I answer “Radio Check” calls all the time on Milly. I never have a problem talking to guys at the Garrison ramp while fishing on Big Point or other areas on the south-east corner. I’m confident that my 4 footer is more than adequate for that lake. Of course, I also have a good radio, good grounding, good power at the battery and a SOLDERED PL-259 connector!

Good Luck,

-J.

Thanks for the feedback. Jon, in regard to the previous posts, do you have any transmit issues? I would guess on Erie an 8′ is a must. But, my lowly 18′ vessel will probably not see anything bigger than Mille. I was thinking with a 4′ I would still have the option of someone up front and still be able to lift the line over if need be. Any other thoughts on this?

Thanks.

Quote:

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SOLDERED PL-259 connector

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My guess would be that the 8 footers work better than the 4 footers simply because more of the antenna is higher off the water and away from clutter in the boat (including people). Big antennas work better than small antennas, and high antennas work better than low antennas. On the other hand broken antennas aren’t worth a hoot. You get what you pay for. I’d think antenna placement on the boat is at least as important as overall length. That’s why Jon’s experience may be different than the next guys.

Rootski
Ham Radio operator since 1968

If I can hear someone on Mille Lacs, I can talk to them. Period.

That’s how I have my antenna installed. There is more than enough slack co-ax wire under the gunnel to disconnect the antenna hold it over your head for an extra 6-7 feet.

One install tip. Make sure you run AT LEAST 10 guage power and ground wire to the radio. The shorter the power/ground wires are, the better. Just because a radio is rated for 25 watts of output means nothing if it does not get enough juice. Learned that one the hard way….

-J.

Jon, care to share what radio you are using? I’m going to put one into my boat this Spring and might as well start shopping. I’ve had ICOM in the past, long time ago. What’s good today? Sounds like your antenna is a dandy…are they available at the major name sellers?

I agree with Jon. I also have a little giant and can send and receive farther than my buddies with the cheaper 8 footers. With an antena you will get what you pay for.

I’m running an older version of the Standard Horizon >> Standard Horizon (The display is a little different.)

ICOM are very nice radios. I would not hesitate to run one. The antenna is widly available.

-J.

Like Jon my 4 foot Lil’ Giants have provided better coverage then the 8 foot. But maybe the 8 footer was of lesser quality. Put another 4 foot Giant on the ’07 619 that should arrive tomorrow……… Kurt

I bought a lil giant 4’er, but it is waiting to be installed.

Kurt,

post some pictures of the new rig when you get a chance. Thanks again for the lead on my new boat!

Rob,

You might already have a location selected to install your Lil’ Giant but if not you might want to consider the locale my last one was located. An experienced rigger turned me on to this location. Place it on the floor directly in front of the drivers side windshield. Use the chrome or stainless ratchet style mount (or RAM would work). Angle the mount so it lies down parallel to the gunwale. Fits perfectly on the 620 deck and isn’t in the way if you leave it down or up. Makes running the antenna wire rather “easy.”

Here’s an exact replica of our new rig. Can’t wait to get her ready to hit the water…..

I hope you like your new rig and you feel it was treated right by John C. Later, Kurt

Thanks to everyone for their valued opinions. I will definately give the 4′ a try. Like mentioned above, I would like the antenna to be able to lie down in the front deck area. Have a great weekend!

That’s what I did on the 620, works great and like Kevin said, “easy to mount and out of the way”, plus no fiber glass drilling. Good luck

Thanks Jon, I’ll have to look at that radio, and I see Wade carries it. Sounds like the antenna is an excellent choice. I hated my 8 footer, just too bulky and clumsy but a high gain 4 footer sounds perfect. Thanks for the leads.

A good friend of mine just got a new high gain 4 footer. I think the brand is Digital and I think it has a 4db rating which is even better than the Little Giant.
Wade, do you have any info on the Digital brand??

Be careful when looking at the specs on these antennas. 4db doesn’t tell you anything useful unless they tell you what that value is referenced to. A “db” is a ratio, not an absolute value.

There will be a maximum amount of gain that you can achieve for a given length of antenna. There’s no magic here.

At these frequencies a 4 foot length will basically fit a half-wavelength radiator. This antenna will have about 1.2 db of gain over a basic quarter wave antenna. There’s nothing you can do inside that fiberglass tube to develop more gain than that for that length. You can get approximately 3 db more gain every time you double the size of the antenna. So an 8 footer might be 4db better than a simple quarterwave antenna.

Where the antenna is mounted on the boat is probably at least as important as it’s length.

Rootski

lots of people run the 4′ galaxy’s and like them. i really considered them when i bought mine. but like what has been said 8’s are almost always better than 4’s, some of the high end 4’s being the exception, and not by a large margin over 8’s. what it comes down to is what you want. i opted for an 8′ simply because if i was in a situation were i needed help, i am willing to bet the extra 4 feet would be worth the trouble.

i have my VHF connected to my GPS, and i am registered with the coast gaurd. if i am ever in a bad situation my ship ID, location, and potential # of occupants will be broadcast as far as my antenna will reach.

this is what i run:

http://shakespeare-marine.com/antennas.asp?antenna=5102

i did a radio check once when i was on big trout, crow wing county. guy hollered back loud and clear. i asked him what his location was… he was sitting at the dock at breezy point. thats 15 miles through trees, hills and whatever. money well spent

BTW, a cheap 8′ at best, is only going to be as good as an expensive 4′ so if your going to deal with an extra 4′ of whip spend the money and get a good one.

if you have the money and really want to reach out and touch someone…..to the tune of 20 plus miles….

http://shakespeare-marine.com/antennas.asp?antenna=5226-XT

depending on where the captians chair is, you hold the mic open long enough and you’ll never have to worry about accidental pregnancy