Shakespear 8′ 5225 Antenna Mounting mx 1825

Where do I mount my 8′ vhf Radio antenna on my MX 1825?? Trying to find a location out of the way and so it does not interfere with my Locators or Radio…

On my WX1880, I mounted my 8′ antenna on a rail mount Ram ball. I mounted it right next to the driver’s right elbow on the rail. It laid neatly down the Starboard gunnel along the rail. I put a Velcro strap on it and secured it to the other end of the rail when not in use. the nice thing about the Ram ball mount is that you can move it in an infinite number of directions.

Put it near the front base of the windshield. You do not want it to interfere while trolling(rear is bad), casting (rear and front is bad) or rigging ( anyplace sucks).
Odds are you will rarely use it. Mounting near the base of the windshield should allow you to fold it down nice (toward the back) and strap it to a rail or rod holder base.

I added a 4′ on my tiller to the transom for safety on Superior and I rarely use it because I hate how its in the way trolling but where do you put one on a tiller?

Agree, don’t use often, but want it on board on big water like LOW. Curious…how does the range of the 4′ compare to the full band 8′?

I really like the idea of mounting the antenna to a ram mount. I was wondering how I am going to mount one on my boat this year, and I think you gave me a great idea. I will have to check it out. That way if I only need it a couple times a year, I will be able to remove it and store it when not in use! I have never seen the back of the radios, but I am assuming that the antenna plugs into the back as any other standard antenna would plug into. Thanks!

We use the 4′ little giant antenna. By far the best antenna that we have found so far. We mount it on a heavy duty SS ratcheting mount that seems to work well.
Mounting a 8′ on a MX may be a little tricky as there isn’t many options as to where to mount them. I haven’t mounted an 8 footer on one so Im not of much help. I do know if you fish out of the back of the boat much you will want to keep it away from the back when its up.

Go with a 4 footer

I have nothing to compare my 4′ Lil giant to as I have never used an 8′. Range for me, not exactly sure.

Big Han, if I remember correctly you can not add and remove the antenna like you can on a car. I think the wire on the lil giant is attached and you have to solder the end on to plug into your radio after running the wire.
Someone please correct me if i am wrong as its been about 5 years since I installed mine.

Like others I run the 4′ lil giant and would consider that one. I can honestly say I have never even put mine up. The little I use one during tournament take off I just leave it down and in the event of emergency I guess I would raise it up if needed….

Have actually debating putting in on a ram mount and putting it in a rod locker so for the little I need it I can pull it out and lay it on a deck or put it on a ram mount. For me its there for extra saftey while on big water

This would be comparable to my layout on my Lund.

You have an 8 foot antenna on an 18 foot boat.

I have a 6 foot antenna on a 17 foot boat.

You really can’t leave it up when trailered.

To lay it down you need to determine how you fish and

avoid mounting in an inconvenient place.

I mounted mine on the starboard coweling.

I fold it forward and the end fits in a plastic pipe clamp mounted on the gunwale.

My antenna cable has a fitting similar but to but larger than an Ethernet connector.

Around the cities and pool 4 , I do not have to deploy to get reception.

When at Voyageurs, I deploy it.

When going on a body of water,

ask around to get the channels that are normally monitored.

Is it possible to add a splice to add a quick connect. I could run the cord by the antenna add the splice.. when i need the antenna i could thread it on the rail mount and connect to rest of the cord… i could store the antenna in the rod locker.

Checked the West advisor in their catalogue
Looks possible,
but
any water that enters the cable will wick up the braided shield and quickly corrode the copper into a green crust.
they suggest PL-259 and PL-258 connectors.

They also warn that any bad connections / splices can quickly reduce the transmit power by a factor of 10 or more.

They also suggest shrink wrapping splices and connections exposed to the elements.

Sounds like a splice exposed to spray would not be a good idea to me.