antenna set-up--

[Mark]

If a person takes a galaxy vhf antenna out of the box,runs the wire and soders the end to the fitting, will it work or do I need to take to have swr adjusted.? Swr only need adjusting on a metal one?

[Big K]

I have always had good luck with them right out of the box.

[BlackSilver]

If it is designed for marine VHF use (I don't know that model) then no adjustments ought to be needed.

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[Mark]

This may be a dumber question but you dont know till you ask. Can I cut the excess wire off? Do I coil it up? Does it screw up anything else to have it close?

[BlackSilver]

Try to keep the radio and antenna (especially the antenna) away from your GPS.

You can trim the antenna feedline (coax) back to suit your needs so long as you don't get too short. 4-5' should be the minimum -- 8' would be ideal. Do NOT neatly coil up the excess! Dress it out as straight as practical, a couple parallel runs are OK, but small neat coils will act as a choke.

SET the hook!!!

Hans/MN

[eye1]

When you say apart , how far apart do you mean ? I am putting in a radio/Ant and a GPS unit tomorrow. I was going to have the radio in the electronics console next to the GPS ( the actual unit) with the antanae on the far side of the boat . All the wires ( GPS , trans. etc) can be separated by maybe two feet running to thier locations and the VHF cable would be no closer than about 3 feet to the GPS ant. Does this sound ok or am I likely to have problems ? This would seem like the only place to put the radio without it being either buried ,in the way or out in the direct elemets ( tiller boat ). You advice would be appreciated.Thanks.

[bobco]

all the shaksphere antenias I have seen are pre-tuned for the marine band and need not be tuned, they have no means to be tuned. I would suggest you check your swr at channel 16 to make sure it is ok.

[hawg]

blacksilver- are you sure you can cut the lead? i thought that distance was the tuning? i'm not sure though. if you can trim it then why not shorter than 4-5 ft? on tillers the only out of the way place is behind you for both the unit and antenna. do you screw it up if you go down to 3-4 ft?

[Den]

There are no adjustments for tuning on a vhf marine antenna, the marinas usually tell the buyers to not cut the co-ax lead wires. another thing to remember, is to be sure to run the radio wires, and the gps wires DIRECTLY to the battery.(make sure that there is a fuse in the wires) you get better sending and reception this way. usually all the manuals tell you this, but a lot of people dont read the manuals, or they just look for the easy way. i hope this helps. it does help a little also, if as was stated above if the wires can be separated a little too. good luck and good fishin.
Den

[still curious]

bump

[LakeRat]

bump